Freakanomics

[bed_of_nails]

This is a particularly interesting book, and I figured I would be flamed to death for discussing this in the "Leftist literature" thread, so I decided to bring it up here.

What are your comments on this interesting and insightful read that everyone should pick up?

[redstar2000]

I read it a few weeks ago...and found it eminently forgettable.

Just another "intellectual flavor-of-the-month". :lol:

Are there any ideas this fellow had that you found "particularly enlightening"? We could discuss that.

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[Publius]

I read it a few weeks ago...and found it eminently forgettable.

Just another "intellectual flavor-of-the-month". :lol:

Are there any ideas this fellow had that you found "particularly enlightening"? We could discuss that.

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

I haven't read it yet, though I plan to.

Do you dislike game theory, perchance?

I find game theory absolutely fascinating. It's 'life'.

[bed_of_nails]

Are there any ideas this fellow had that you found "particularly enlightening"? We could discuss that.

No, but it was rather interesting. I liked the book.

[redstar2000]

Originally posted by Publius
Do you dislike game theory, perchance?

Not at all...it offers some interesting insights into human interactions.

You probably know about the game theory computer "tournaments" that take place every so often.

And the optimum "winning strategy" labeled "generous tit-for-tat".

It strikes me as a rather "communist" strategy. We "do unto others" what they "do unto us"...but we make periodic "allowances" for the fact that they might "make a mistake" and give them "a second chance".

Cooperation pays off!

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[Leif]

I enjoyed the book, it kept me entertained during a excruciating summer school math class. I enjoyed the direct co-relation of abortion and the reductoin of crime.

[redstar2000]

Originally posted by [email protected] 14 2005, 09:41 PM
I enjoyed the book, it kept me entertained during a excruciating summer school math class. I enjoyed the direct co-relation of abortion and the reductoin of crime.
Yes, I find that to be a plausible hypothesis...also I think it's been around for a while.

In fact, I think the early proponents of birth control made that same argument back during the first decades of the 20th century...preventing the birth of "unwanted children" would actually "reduce drunkenness, pauperism, and crime".

It looks as if "they were right". At least about violent crime. :)

But the other stuff in the book didn't "stick in my mind"...so I'm wondering what else people liked about it?

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[bed_of_nails]

I was amused by the final lines in the book.

The black kid who was beat, left by his mother, and in a gang through his teenage years became a Harvard professor.

The white kid who had a perfect middle-class life studied at Harvard, but was Ted Kaczynski (sp?).

[Leif]

Lets see, other stuff from the book, the comparison of one capitalist machine (crack trade) and another (mc Donald's), interesting statistics on naming kids, that's about it.

It wasn't the most informing book I've read, but it certainly helped pass time, along with 'World on Fire'.