How Many Lives Did Dale Earnhardt Save - By Dying?

The Freakonomics blog points out that race-car driver Jeff Gordon's survival, after a serious crash at the Pocono 500 yesterday, was likely due to major safety improvements mandated by NASCAR after Dale Earnhardt's death.  (See also the authors' column ($) in the New York Times and their corresponding blog entry on the same subject.)

In fits and starts, we learn; over time, we help to build our corner of the universe.