Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

This is what happens when a guy who knows how to analyse data and dream up interesting questions, takes a dispassionate look at human behaviour. So, the numbers seem to show that an unexpected consequence of the legalisation of abortion that occurred in the late 60s resulted in a dramatic fall in the American crime rate in the 90s (there were other reasons, but this seems to be the main cause).

This mostly a good read, though many of the American cultural references made no sense to me, and weren't so intriguing that I could be bothered to google them. The long, detailed and boring analysis of American forenames I skipped. We Brits might think we have issues with a static social class system; theirs seems to be just as exasperating, and racially aggravated too.

A Rogue Economist makes a couple of rogue observations (0/0 people found this helpful)

Whilst the chapter re. crime and abortion is of some interest, the rest is underwhelming to say the list.
Poor value for money, (short chapters that read like essays/ musings) and absolutely peerless aggrandisement by proxy (from Dubner re. Levitt).

In summary:
Chapter 1- People who you think won't cheat (schoolteachers/ Sumo wrestlers) do if they might not get caught and the risks are worth it. How very suprising.
2-KKK and estate agents - really rather tenuous link between the two. As far as I can see, they have the fact that they both keep secrets in common. Also the chapter informs me of the remarkable insight that information is valuable.
3- Drug dealers and moms (sic.)- mind blowing expose demonstrating that only the people high up in drugs trade make cash. It should be noted that much of the sociological observations in this chapter are actually very interesting- but from a sociologist, Venkatash, who is described as 'thoughtful, handsome and well-built'!

4 - Where have all the criminals gone - by far most interesting chapter of 'book'. Nonetheless, other examples could have been explored further, and the authors do seem somewhat blinkered to the idea that more than 1 cause for an observation can co-exist.

5 - What makes a perfect parent - some trite observations of nature and nurture. Not really economics - not even rogue.

6 - List of names. Some names are more popular amongst whites than blacks and vice versa. Doesn't matter what your name is. Utterly boring.
There is more, - 'bonus material' - rehash the previous 6 chapters in no specific order to try and make me sleep.

I actually did read the entire book, hoping that at one point I'd see the light and realise the genius. I am afraid I didn't. Really not very good I'm afraid.

Fascinating and humorous (0/0 people found this helpful)

A quirky look at statistics related to previously unasked (and perhaps irrelevant) questions.
Levitt and Dubner provide a lot of food for thought with their sideways look at some of the results of surveys and stats, giving the reader a different slant on the real issues of the day,such as comparing the Klu-Klux-Klan with Estate Agents. Good humour, with an underlying backbone of truth.

Entertaining and Important (0/0 people found this helpful)

This book is a breeze to read - an entertaining jaunt through the implications of how microeconomic theory relates and translates ubiquitously across any number of social phenomena. Through use of regression analysis and statsitical data the authors show how the theoretical justifications of microeconomic models apply across any number of fields and this is entertaining and rewarding enough. What is more important and what has become absolutely obvious in any number of ways in recent years is how unlocking the incentives structures that any actors have in a given social situation leads inexorably to the actions of these players. This applies to prostitutes, crime-lords, politicians (no link intended) you name it. This has enormous implications for policy decisions in any number of issues so that it is not merely the symptoms of the problems themselves but the incentive structures that determine inappropriate behaviours may be dealt with also. Entertaining and important.

Disappointing (0/0 people found this helpful)

Written in a joisty style, the authors set out to investigate how incentives (economic, social and moral) influence daily life. The insight reveals some interesting phenomena, such as how well-meaning programmes to raise school standards can encourage teachers to cheat. However, despite some revealing examples, the authors appear to quickly run out of steam and by chapter 6 they are digressing into the differences in baby names between various social classes. That different people call their babies different names is hardly earth shattering and as the authors point out, the names have no impact on the child's later fortunes. So why include it? The latter third of the book includes various newspaper articles and excepts from the Freakonomics blog which, whilst quite amusing, strongly suggest of padding at the behest of the publisher.

In summary, despite some interesting insights, the book is disappointing and one is left wondering what all the hype was about.

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

Reader Reviews:

Not Quite as Great as its Reputation (0/0 people found this helpful)

A Rogue Economist makes a couple of rogue observations (0/0 people found this helpful)

Fascinating and humorous (0/0 people found this helpful)

Entertaining and Important (0/0 people found this helpful)

Disappointing (0/0 people found this helpful)

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