Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner, Non-fictionRating: 3.5/5
This is an interesting work analysing social trends using tools and methods an economist would use. The initial chapters of the book tried to answer questions such as ‘How is the Ku Klux Klan like a group of real estate agents?’ and ‘Why do Drug Dealers still live with their moms?’ -these were very insightful. However, the same cannot be said about the latter part of the book as analysis on the connection between babies’ names and how far they went in life seemed an unnecessary part of the book.
1 comment:
I have read Freakonomics and one of few things I remember is the power of information signalling in prices. Simply put a good product with lower than expected price reeks of suspiciousness; ie. there must be something dodgy with it or else it wouldn't be at that price. That is why Chanel No. 5 and a condo overlooking Manhattan commands such a price apart from normal tug and pull of market forces.
Second of all, this reminds me of the movie the Empire about drug dealers and investment bankers. In the book, the authors drew comparisons between drug dealers organisations and capitalist firms; and found them to be similar in terms of structure. So, us newly graduates wrking in the city would have more in common with a drug peon brethens that we would normally think. Overworked, underpaid (although the peons are exposed to more risk of gun deaths; thats why we choose the uni route) but hoping all the way that we will be the remaining few reaching the peak of the pyramid. Just one or two of us mind u. The others failing to do so will probably find another sector to work in or more likely rob a bank. You don't need to be undercover in a drug cartel to observe this. Just pop into one of the investments banks in Ldn. :)
Post a Comment