FREAKONOMICS
Since we have been discussing economics and policy in class, this book came my way while I was reading quite a disturbing article within the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/30/politics/30cnd-bennet.html?hpPlease read it and share your responses. But back to the book...
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?
These may not sound like typical questions for an economist to ask. But Steven D. Levitt is not a typical economist. The authors 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 set out to 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 Ku Klux Klan. Some of these questions concern life-and-death issues; others have an admittedly freakish quality.
Reading & Reflecting,
Professor Lopez-Humphreys
posted by SWK 254 Understanding Diversity @ 4:55 PM
3 Comments:
At 2:14 PM,
SWK 254 Understanding Diversity said…
Sounds like an interesting book! Can I borrow it when you're done? =)As far as the NY Times article goes my face looked like this =oO
I cannot believe he would say such a thing. I need to read the transcripts of the broadcast because maybe he was simply being overly sarcastic or something. I'm rreeeally trying to look at this without jumping to conclusions, but have mercy!
-Jamaine Smith
At 5:02 PM,
SWK 254 Understanding Diversity said…
Ok since we're posting stuff that we found about social policy (the topic being econmincs) I found this website that deals with controversial issues http://www.2facts.com/ICOF/issues-home-feature.asp
It has some really great articles on there that we have already dissucssed about and may be in the future. Everyone should go look cause it also may help you with the papers you have to write.
At 12:50 PM,
Sume316 said…
Sad to say but such remarks,as seen in this article is not surprising to me. These are all thoughts that we know people in power have, but we do nothing to change it. Im glad to see such an article and as a matter of fact im glad thats its being said. Maybe with such outrageous remarks are made, us, the minority will take our role in society more seriously and come together to make sure such bigots dont take office to begin with. I beleive we have the power to make a change, us the latino and african americans and all minorities if we just come together than we can elect our own people into office. But sadly thats not the cae and we are misrepresented in the govt, so untill we do "wake up" and see the uncovered power we have, im glad these statements are bening made.
Eddie Miranda
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