In this series, Simon Evans examines the concept of the 'free lunch' and shines a light on new ways of making money in the 21st century.

There are many apparently 'free' economic models operating today but what are they and how do they work? Across four episodes Simon and his team will explore Social Media and how we often appear to enjoy it for free. Later on Simon examines the perhaps unfair belief that some multinationals appear to operate tax free. And what about the billions being given away 'for free' by a new breed of philanthro-capitalists? Finally, what can we learn from these operating models to help that beloved yet creaking institution, the NHS, which is also apparently free at the point of use?

As a wise person once said, there's no such thing as a free lunch. If you're not paying, you're the product.

Also featuring Financial Times economics god Tim Harford and Timandra Harkness, author of 'Big Data: Does Size Matter?'

Episode 2: Tax Free

Most individuals who earn money or businesses that make a profit are required to cheerfully wave off substantial proportions of their money to the public good. But as soon as those individuals or corporations achieve a certain critical mass, they just sort of drift off to some mythical island whose co-ordinates are unknown to common folk, where they erect a giant tax-repellant rainbow over them to protect them from the tiresome responsibility of paying their way. Should we in fact find this as grossly infuriating as it appears to be?

Starring: Simon Evans with Tim Harford and Timandra Harkness
Written by Simon Evans with Benjamin Partridge
Researcher: Andrew Wright
Production coordinator: Toby Tilling

Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios Production. Show less