#freakonomics

[blue-cray0n]

#malcolm gladwell #outliers #freakonomics #steven levitt #rich dad poor dad #robert kiyosaki #the subtle art of not giving a f*ck #mark manson #blink: the power of thinking without thinking #steven pinker #enlightenment now #the better angels of our nature #TED Talks #bill gates #vaclav smil #richard dawkins #the selfish gene #david brooks

[economic-echoes]

Finding My Way To Economics

Suki here,

Many moons ago, when I was a mere 15 years old, I was choosing my A-Levels. I went looking for a shiny new subject that would combine all my skills and interests. Would it be sociology, psychology or maybe even business studies? Those classic subjects that all prospective A-Level students seem attracted to. 

To find the answer to my question, I decided to research the subjects I found most enjoyable and the ones that would go best with maths. The first place I decided to look was in my school library where I knew there were magazines designed specifically to help people choose their A-Levels. Having looked through several publications, while I found them all interesting, it wasn't until I picked up the November 2020 issue of Economics Review that I was truly entranced.

I stumbled upon an article that talked about the economics of pubs and evaluated their declining numbers. First the page examined some of the key economic issues involving the pub industry and then ended with a question: Should their fate be left to the market, or should the government intervene? I found this discussion very fascinating because I had rarely thought of the world through an economic lens much before, other than in geography case studies (which looking back, I enjoyed the most). The article introduced new themes to me like division of labour through the pin analogy from Adam Smith (Wealth of Nations) and how it can improve productivity. It also touched on topics like economies of scale and oligopolies. It was all so exciting and interesting, I found out there was a whole secret world behind the one I thought I lived in, and I was desperate to learn more.

To advance my knowledge in this subject I decided to find a book to read. After having googled economics books for beginners, I found myself enticed by Freakonomics by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt. I thoroughly enjoyed it as an introduction to economics because its humorous notes made it very entertaining. The authors also did an excellent job at helping me understand statistical concepts at an intuitive level, and how I could use the concepts to better understand the real-world problems discussed in the book.

After more research into the subject, I found out that not only did economics consist of microeconomics; the branch of economics that considers the behaviour of decision takers within the economy, such as individuals, households and firms, but also macroeconomics; the study of the actions governments and countries take to influence broader economies. So, this was where I decided to research next. At the time, ChatGPT had just been released and I was fascinated to know how this would affect the labour market. As part of my English GCSE coursework, we were assigned to write a speech on a subject of our choosing so long as it was compelling and interesting so then I decided to pick the topic The Economic Impact of AI. (I will upload this speech at a later date with current insights and reflections alongside).

Now I'm a 16-year-old amid my A-Levels; Economics, Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science. I'm getting stuck in and learning a lot.

#economics #economy #a levels #academics #artificial intelligence #freakonomics #blogger #featured

[thoughtportal]

In 2005, two men named Steven and Stephen published the quintessential airport book. In 2022, two men named Mike and Peter started a whole podcast just to make fun of it.

#If Books Could Kill: Freakonomics #Freakonomics #If Books Could Kill #podcast #podcasts #books and writing #books and reading #books and authors #books #statistics #junk science

[talltalesfromeconman]

Initiation: How This All Works

Welcome to Tall Tales From Econ Man! This is a semi-satirical, semi-informative, and entirely unserious blog dedicated to taking Economics far beyond the bounds of ivory towers and neoclassical architecture.

The posts here are going to look more or less like this: I'm going to talk about some niche interest and explain the relevant details for you. Then, I'm going to ask a question that no sane person would think is worth asking. I am then going to answer those questions like an economist, explaining the steps I take along the way.

In short, I'm holding your hand and pulling you through a thunderstorm of bad ideas until we get out the other side. Your best bet to understanding what I mean by all of this is reading a shorter post here. Find a topic you're a little interested in, and see if you like answering silly questions as much as I do.

#economics #freakonomics

[steorn]

oh man. Yuval's bit in his interview on Freakonomics about it being less important what politicians (and public figures) say in private and far more important what they say and the image they put out to the public?

yesyesyesyesyes

#the views and thinking one encourages in their audience is SO much more important than the dumb jokes and things they say in private. #the internet and appearance of cameras+microphones in every pocket has ruined that way of thinking for us. #my shit #thats right I'm listening to NPR podcasts again a bitch be educated #and ive thought that exact thing before. it is so validating to hear it echoed by someone way smarter and more accomplished than me. #freakonomics #yuval noah harari #✋✋ TBF when it comes to people in political power you want to be careful their policies do what they appear to be doing #and arent screwing people over in some unseen way. #but. barring the event of that #far more important what their policies actually are and what views they encourage #than whatever they may say in private.

[thatwritererinoriordan]

slightly cropped from the original

#ginger cat #cats #freakonomics #lauren graham #grimm's fairy tales

[classicalliberalleague]

I am a die hard capitalist, but capitalism doesn’t work without long term thinking and private equity seems to be nothing but short term thinking and needs to be regulated out of existence.

#capitalism #private equity #freakonomics #long-term thinking

[ramyeongif]

freakonomics

#lucy dot jpg #freakonomics #31719

[outragedtortilla]

freakonomics

#lucy dot jpg #freakonomics #28972

[a-h-87769877]

#yea the open office is terrible but it doesn’t have to be #freakonomics #podcast #office dynamics #architectural psychology #Spotify

[econrenuka]

Mini Book Reviews

Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty (2011)

★★★★☆

By: Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo

This was actually a fantastic read. I thought it really hit the sweet spot between being a pop economics book and being quite academic. For each topic, I really liked how the authors clearly stated their opinion but also acknowledged the other side of the argument in each case. The studies cited were also clear, and if there were any weaknesses in the analysis, the authors always stated them while arguing that there are still good conclusions to be drawn. I could tell that Banerjee and Duflo are true researchers. I didn't have to agree with every one of their arguments, but I understood their points clearly and could reiterate their arguments. I thought the titles of many sections were eye-catching, and enjoyed the overall organization of the book as well. However, it didn't feel boring, and like a laundry list of development papers. Each section had a cohesive theme, which made it an exciting and fulfilling read. I can see why it's a must-read for any student interested in development economics.

2. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything (2005)

★★☆☆☆

By: Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

I know I'm the last person on earth to read this, but I just put it off. Reading it now, I was actually very surprised to realize it had not aged well. I think the chapter on the link between abortion and crime could be particularly interesting now, as Roe v. Wade has been overturned, but generally I found the arguments tenuous and not very academically grounded. It didn't feel like each chapter had multiple papers that could support the arguments. It felt like often, the authors were making some big leaps based solely on their own research with no sense of the literature as a whole. I also think it felt incredibly disorganized. The authors state in the beginning there is no unifying thread throughout, but I think that the randomness of the topics wasn't satisfying to read. They introduce a lot of their findings in the introduction and then repeat many parts later. They also jump between topics quickly. I found myself getting confused at times as to whether I had accidentally skipped parts of the book. Lastly, I thought all the snippets from the New York Times and other papers talking about how "ah-mazing" Levitt is as an economist and a thinker were a little awkward. It felt a bit self-indulgent although I know it was likely Dubner's take on Levitt as a person. I felt it was unnecessary and awkward.

I think it was a good book in 2005 to introduce readers to the breadth of economics. I know many probably still think of economics as solely focused on business and finance. I think this book probably did a great job of disabusing people of that notion. However, I think it potentially made it seem like economists just draw connections based on correlations when that is exactly what I think we strive not to do. This is obviously a personal opinion, and I think the book is great in terms of what it did do: getting people interested in broad questions.

Next up for mini-reviews!

Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom by Katherine Eban

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein

#book review #economics #poor economics #esther duflo #abhijit v banerjee #freakonomics #books #review

[grouchydairy]

freakonomics

#lucy dot jpg #freakonomics #65858

[ronk]

Whaling was, in the words of one scholar, “early capitalism unleashed on the high seas.” How did the U.S. come to dominate the whale market? Why did whale hunting die out here — and continue to grow elsewhere? And is that whale vomit in your perfume? 

#whaling #freakonomics #fridaymelville

[thatwritererinoriordan]

The book: https://amzn.to/3NDMOim

#if books could kill #books podcast #freakonomics #michael hobbes #peter shamshiri #Spotify

[eggwhiteswithspinach]

Freakonomics Radio About: Economics about things you’d never thought about (e.g., sleep) Length: ~1 hour Episode example: on the sudden switch to telehealth on how to make meetings less terrible, a MANDATORY ASSIGNED READING to everyone who ever utters the phrase "oh it’ll just be easier if we meet to talk about this"

#podcasts x #Freakonomics

#freakonomics #podcast #quotes #finance #money

[frontier-today]

Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell

Book Blog

The Power of Context: Gladwell challenges the traditional notion that success is solely a product of individual effort and talent. He argues that the context in which individuals operate plays a significant role in shaping their achievements. By examining real-life examples and compelling research, Gladwell sheds light on how cultural legacies, upbringing, and historical opportunities create a fertile ground for outliers to flourish.

Central to "Outliers" is the concept of the 10,000-hour rule, which suggests that exceptional mastery in any field requires a substantial investment of deliberate practice. Gladwell takes us on a journey through the stories of renowned musicians, athletes, and entrepreneurs, revealing the immense dedication and focused effort required to reach the pinnacle of success.

Timing and seizing opportunities play a pivotal role in outlier success. Gladwell explores how favorable circumstances, fortuitous encounters, and being in the right place at the right time can significantly impact an individual's trajectory. Through captivating anecdotes and historical analysis, he demonstrates how outliers leverage these opportunities to propel themselves to extraordinary heights.

Gladwell explores the influence of cultural legacy on outlier success. He emphasizes how cultural norms, family backgrounds, and community support can shape an individual's mindset and provide unique advantages. By understanding the cultural context in which outliers thrive, we gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness between individual efforts and the environments in which they operate.

In the concluding chapters, Gladwell invites us to embrace an outlier mindset. He challenges us to question our traditional views of success, encouraging us to adopt a broader perspective that acknowledges many factors contributing to exceptional achievements. By adopting this mindset, we can cultivate resilience, seek out opportunities, and unleash our true potential.

#economy #business #book blog #bookaddict #outliers #nudge #freakonomics #behavioral science #phsychology #social history #successstories #reality #inspiration