Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Freakonomics
This is probably the 'easiest' non-fiction book I have read. Definitely give it a try. Exploring crazy ideas and crazy questions is quite a fun job and unless you do it really well, you cant make a living out of it. So, obviously Steven Lewitt must be a cool economist.
Though the article on 'Why do Drug-Dealers Still Live with their Moms' was had a nice starting point and well written, it was not as quirky as I thought it would be originally- the reason I took up the book in the first place.
Some interesting things said in the book -
1) Legalisation of abortion seems to have downed violent crime significantly in the US! If you are not squeamish about 'killing foetuses' (which changes the stats!) that is.
2) Most of the damage (or good) that your parents could do to you is before they start their parenting! In fact, the name they give you kind of summarises the effect they end up having!
3) Sumo wrestlers fix matches - and do you know the story of how teachers cheat?
Though the article on 'Why do Drug-Dealers Still Live with their Moms' was had a nice starting point and well written, it was not as quirky as I thought it would be originally- the reason I took up the book in the first place.
Some interesting things said in the book -
1) Legalisation of abortion seems to have downed violent crime significantly in the US! If you are not squeamish about 'killing foetuses' (which changes the stats!) that is.
2) Most of the damage (or good) that your parents could do to you is before they start their parenting! In fact, the name they give you kind of summarises the effect they end up having!
3) Sumo wrestlers fix matches - and do you know the story of how teachers cheat?
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Am intrigued about #2. Obviously my life would have been different if I had been named "Gangubai", but what about "Archana".. or even "Chitra", a name my parents considered giving me but ended up giving to my sister?
It is an interesting book. There is already a blog started by authors...
Check it out
http://www.freakonomics.com/blog/
Check it out
http://www.freakonomics.com/blog/
Wendelin - the book has not given any cool theory about names. I dont believe any such thing exists even in the science of freakonomics. It only shows a statistical correlation between names and likely fates/origins.
But, I do think names affect persona very much. Nicknames are even more powerful I think;)
Pi - Nice website!
But, I do think names affect persona very much. Nicknames are even more powerful I think;)
Pi - Nice website!
You've managed to make me intrigued about this book. Will read. :)
Great, so now my name is the Source of All My Trouble? Eh. What about names yu choose for yourself then - like say online? You've stuck with the Vikram, son of Bala from school, I see...
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Great, so now my name is the Source of All My Trouble? Eh. What about names yu choose for yourself then - like say online? You've stuck with the Vikram, son of Bala from school, I see...
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