Which is more dangerous, a gun or a swimming pool? What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? Why do drug dealers still live with their moms? How much do parents really matter? How did the legalization of abortion affect the rate of violent crime?These may not sound like typical questions for an econo-mist to ask. But Steven D. Levitt is not a typical economist. He is a … much-heralded scholar who studies the riddles of everyday life—from cheating and crime to sports and child-rearing—and whose conclusions turn conventional wisdom on its head. Freakonomics is a groundbreaking collaboration between Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, an award-winning author and journalist. They usually begin with a mountain of data and a simple question. Some of these questions concern life-and-death issues; others have an admittedly freakish quality. Thus the new field of study contained in this book: freakonomics.Through forceful storytelling and wry insight, Levitt and Dubner show that economics is, at root, the study of incentives—how people get what they want, or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing. In Freakonomics, they explore the hidden side of . . . well, everything. The inner workings of a crack gang. The truth about real-estate agents. The myths of campaign finance. The telltale marks of a cheating schoolteacher. The secrets of the Klu Klux Klan. What unites all these stories is a belief that the modern world, despite a great deal of complexity and downright deceit, is not impenetrable, is not unknowable, and—if the right questions are asked—is even more intriguing than we think. All it takes is a new way of looking. Freakonomics establishes this unconventional premise: If morality represents how we would like the world to work, then economics represents how it actually does work. It is true that readers of this book will be armed with enough riddles and stories to last a thousand cocktail parties. But Freakonomics can provide more than that. It will literally redefine the way we view the modern world.Bonus material added to the revised and expanded 2006 edition.The original New York Times Magazine article about Steven D. Levitt by Stephen J. Dubner, which led to the creation of this book.Seven “Freakonomics” columns written for the New York Times Magazine, published between August 2005 and April 2006.
more
Analytical but very interesting info.
This book was interesting, but nothing to brag about. Had I read it years ago, it would have been more surprising, but with what’s happening in the media, the government and humanity in general, nothing surprises me. The whole world is a bit Freaky!
This is a very realistic view on what truly affects our world
Different and interesting slant on some current issues and aspects of economics.
This book lead you towards an enlightened vision of economy by connecting dots to find answers at the intersection of events. Mind blowing!!
Takes a somewhat boring topic and uses his intelligence to draw conclusions; not for readers who enjoy nonfiction laced with bias–a factual look at the meaning of public data on a variety of subjects.
An unexpected view on how data becomes knowledge.
Opened my mind to new roads of understanding!
I listened to the CD set before reading the book. The information contained in this book was surprising and in some cases downright amazing. Do yourself a favor and get this book… Then, read it.
I read it a long time ago, and I can’t recall the details as I perceived them, justI that I enjoyed it very much.
Makes you think.
A fantastic way to look at phenomenon in a clinical format. I loved it!
It needs updating to keep it relevant
This book will make you think twice about everything you thought you knew
My only regret is that I didn’t read this book sooner.
After having heard great things about this book, I started listening to the podcast, Freakonomics Radio. Several months of that, and I finally bought the book. It did not disappoint. This book is pure genius, and even makes me regret why I never pursued economics as a career choice. Oh, if …
You really cannot beat Freakonomics. Even if you aren’t a business/econ/sociology nerd (and I wasn’t when I read this book way back when), it totally sucks you in and is a total page-turner.