[Revised and Expanded] (A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything) by Steven Levitt, Stephen Dubner.
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Great Introduction to social economics. Interesting and fun. Dubner and Levitt deconstruct everything from the organizational structure of drug-dealing gangs, parenting methods (that probably don’t really matter!) to baby-naming patterns. Statistics, numbers can be deceiving – Correlation does not imply causation, complex phenomena should be understood by finding the right perspective (and not “jumping” on the first observed correlation). This book encourages you to think more critically and not just accept the conventional wisdom. |
In the same style, I’ve also read:
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More Sex Is Safer Sex [The Unconventional Wisdom of Economics]: by Steven Landsburg (based largely on his Slate columns). funny title, very interesting too (but quite messy). Unconventional Wisdom from a libertarian economic perspective, aims to assault common sense using statistics and logic. Incentives, Compassion and economic considerations, chastity and AIDS, daughters and divorce, concentrating charitable giving to one recipient, etc… |
I’ve also just ordered Discover Your Inner Economist: Use Incentives to Fall in Love, Survive Your Next Meeting, and Motivate Your Dentist ...