Freakonomics: Revised Edition

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything.This is one of the most interesting books you will ever read. The author, a Harvard graduate, takes 6 interesting subjects and looks at a side of it that most people wouldn't. (He did lots of research.) He uses data - lots of it - not opinion to find his answers and statistics. The topics might not necessarily be "important", but they are interesting. Here they are:CHAPTER 1. "WHAT DO SCHOOLTEACHERS AND SUMO WRESTLERS HAVE IN COMMON?" Of course, I cannot tell you the answer, because I don't want to ruin the book if you haven't read it yet. There's really not much I can say about this chapter without giving it away. But the chapter was interesting, and it looks at something that schoolteachers, sumo wrestlers, daycare mothers, and bagel buyers have in common.Back in my school days, teachers didn't make much. They seemed to be so much better back then. I think it was because they taught because they loved to teach, because they loved the kids, and teaching was their gift and their passion. Nowadays I think people do it for the money, as they make much more now than they did back then. A lot of teachers nowadays don't have their heart in it; they just have their pocketbook in it. This paragraph had nothing really to do with the book, I just added that in, because the book mentioned certain teachers that will depress your faith in them. But I'm sure that is a low percentage; most teachers, I'm sure, are still good.CHAPTER 2. "HOW IS THE KU KLUX KLAN LIKE A GROUP OF REAL-ESTATE AGENTS?" This chapter told some intereting things that I never realized - about real estate, brand new cars, etc. Of course, I cannot give you the answer to the above question, as I don't want to ruin the book for those who haven't read it yet.CHAPTER 3. "WHY DO DRUG DEALERS STILL LIVE WITH THEIR MOMS?" I cannot tell you the answer; I do not want to ruin it for you. You have to read this chapter to find out. You will find out what drug dealers have in common with a successful sportsman and an actress. This chapter was interesing; it enlightened me to some facts that I did not know.CHAPTER 4. "WHERE HAVE ALL THE CRIMINALS GONE?" This is a very interesting chapter. (Again, I cannot give you the answer.) The author's answer made sense, and was very convincing. Even if you don't agree with it, or believe in it. He had convincing data to prove his point, and to disprove other "expert's" answers as to where all the criminals have gone.The way I feel about it: His answer is probably true, but not okay. There is another way (that is good) to "get rid of the criminals". But that is another book; I'll save it for when/if I ever put together the data for it.CHAPTER 5. "WHAT MAKES A PERFECT PARENT?" This chapter was enlightening, as parenting is my most important and most cherished role. The chapter gave some really interesting statistics/data.CHAPTER 6. "PERFECT PARENTING, PART II; OR,: WOULD A ROSHANDA BY ANY OTHER NAME SMELL AS SWEET?" I read this chapter first, because I have always been fascinated by names. (I know, I'm weird.) Even if I hadn't of wanted to have kids, I probably would have had them anyway, just so I could name them. I've always loved reading baby name books. (Again, I know I'm weird.) Once in my younger days, someone caught me reading a baby name book and asked me if I were pregnant. No, I wasn't anywhere near pregnant; I simply loved reading baby name books. I also like looking at the trends and popularity of names. Sometimes old names come back and sometimes they don't. I've often wondered how names become popular. In this chapter, the authors explain it. (I can't tell you, as to not spoil the book.) Their explanation was based on the records in California from several years. It did make sense. And thinking about real life, it makes sense there, too.I love names, and I'm very particular about the way I prefer names to be spelled. I have my own set of rules. For example, I am not a fan of the silent "h". I love the names Sara, Hanna, Cristina, Kristina, Nicolas WITHOUT the silent "h".Some people think reading a baby name book is like reading a boring dictionary. But I've always enjoyed them. (I know, I am really eccentric.) Any, that's why I read Chapter 6 first.THIS IS AN INTERESTING BOOK; HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Today's society is saturated with opinion as to how the world works. Causal explanations are abundant in our everyday lives due to their ability to appeal to the human desire to understand our surroundings. In Freakonomics, a book co-authored by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, the authors challenge many of the truisms of today's society and also uncover relationships and details using economics as their tool. Levitt is a world-renowned economist who is particularly known for his rare studies. Dubner is a journalist who has written for both The New York Times and the New Yorker. Their co-authored book is as equally unique as their collaboration. The combination of their talents has produced a text that has the ability to artfully deliver economic studies that uncover fascinating truths as to how our world works. The author's opinion of their work is stated clearly in their text, "Morality, it could be argued, represents the way that people would like the world to work-whereas economics represents how it actually does work. (Page 11 Freakonomics)" They have challenged themselves to uncover truths about our world today that have previously gone unnoticed. A great quality of this book is that it invites the reader to bring a healthy sense of skepticism. Just as the authors were skeptical of many of the answers offered by the "experts" of today, the reader is encouraged to sift through Freakonomics in a similar manner. What you will find is that many of the questions that begin to formulate in your own mind are asked by the authors themselves in the next couple lines of the text. This characteristic of the book is payable to Levitt and Dubner's brilliant combination of economics and the scientific method. For each of their studies, the scientific method is followed and specifically emphasized in their alternate hypothesis generation. There is a constant questioning of their own work as they try to arrive at a conclusion that both delivers a mind-blowing truth and that has also passed through the rigorous guidelines of science. The last thing the author's want to do is deliver misleading information that is similar to that which their studies aim to tackle. This book is strongly recommended due to its ability to challenge the reader's reasoning, but at the same time entertain. While many scientific studies may have the ability to shed new findings upon the reader, few will ever make you laugh or have you in a state of awe as the studies found in Freakonomics. With chapters titled "How is the Klu Klux Clan Like a Group of Real-Estate Agents?" and "Why Do Drug Dealers Still Live with Their Moms?" it is not a secret that these studies stray from the norm. With topics that are at times racy, the book is recommended for teens and up. The language in the book is at times scientific, but the text will offer value to all levels of both economic and scientific understanding. Its wide reach to different education levels is due to the author's desire for their audience to understand their work. With many of the crazy relationships they determine, the reader is helped along the way to follow the logical connections. After reading Freakonomics you will see the world in a new light and will be able to examine events using the incentive based techniques used by the authors. Their economic approach stresses that human behavior can be predicted based on the following incentives: moral, social and economic. It is up to you to decide whether you believe the world is or is not incentive driven, but the authors time and time again prove this notion through their case studies. The goal of their studies is to prove causation rather than correlation. Proving correlation is easy and that is why there exist a vast number of opinions for any given situation. As the complexity of Levitt and Dubner's works suggest, to determine causation is a far more daunting task. In this case, the work is worth the reward. Causation is not always clear and is not always the most likely solution available. As shown in Freakonomics, proving causation requires a scientific approach and an intense data collection process. This nature of causation allows Freakonomics to really stimulate the reader's interest in logical reasoning, but possibly at times cause one to be overwhelmed. As stated previously, the authors give a trying effort to help the reader follow their logical conclusions and are humble in their presentation of scientific data. It is obvious that their goal is not necessarily to amaze, but more importantly to educate. Lastly, Freakonomics is a special blend of entertainment and education. It is a book that you can discuss in the classroom and also amuse your friends with at the dinner table. Be prepared to see the world differently.

Even 17 years after the first edition, this book maintains its relevance - not just for the data, but for the way it turns upside down the way we believe in some well established "truths".

I love the book itself, it's not very easy to comprehend. Some parts had to go over again. But overall gives you a strong understanding of how people behave. Several interesting historical facts (like the one about abortion and criminal rate correlation) were unexpected but eyes opening))The book is of pocket size, but it is the full version. I guess, I wasn't ready for such small print. But read it anyways))

Für mich landert das Buch auf der gleichen Lieblingsliste wie Factfulness. Absolut super die Zusammenhänge in verschiedenen Bereichen zu erkunden und von den Autoren so dermaßen logisch aufgezeigt zu bekommen. Auch für nicht Statistiker ist dieses Buch natürlich geeignet, da es nicht besonders schwer geschrieben ist.

Nice book, gives you another perspective.

Hey if you’re applying to ANY liberal arts college in india for economics or any college outside india for economics close your eyes and buy this book!!! this will give you a basic idea of behavioural economics and will also help you in writing essays for the colleges you apply to and even if not for the college part it covers a lot of areas which are quite fun to read!!!!