Superfreakonomics

[puffnstuff]

Anyone else read (ing) this? Just started reading it and finished the chapter about how prostitutes are like shopping mall santa claus'

The first book they wrote was really interesting, a lot of head scratching, really makes you think differently kind of stuff.

Thoughts?

[Traditional_Ale]

Keep puffin' that stuff, man...

[missdpuck]

Have read neither but keep meaning to.

[dre]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Anyone else read (ing) this? Just started reading it and finished the chapter about how prostitutes are like shopping mall santa claus'

The first book they wrote was really interesting, a lot of head scratching, really makes you think differently kind of stuff.

Thoughts?

I am reading freakonomics. Abortion and crime rates was very interesting for me. Easy read so far.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I didn't realize there was a followup to Freakenomics. I loved Freakenomics, he makes some pretty outlandish correlations in parts, but that's what he said he was going to do.

Interesting read

[getbak]

I liked the first book, so I'll probably pick this one up too at some point.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

They were talking about this on 20/20 last night.

An interesting point on the show was that eating kangaroo instead of beef was more environmentally friendly then driving a Prius.

[J pold]

Whoa there is a second book?

I loved the first one and will read the second one, I'll just have to add it to my extremely long list of books to read.

[Ashartus]

Some chapters from this book are getting really ripped on by science bloggers. I haven't read it myself, but apparently they went way outside their area of expertise in some parts of the book (e.g. global warming) and ended up misinterpreting a lot of stuff and making some pretty fundamental errors.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

They were talking about this on 20/20 last night.

An interesting point on the show was that eating kangaroo instead of beef was more environmentally friendly then driving a Prius.

Really?! Even though the kangaroo would have to be shipped from Australia? That's pretty crazy.

My sister annoys me with her reasoning for being a vegetarian: "land use issues" and "environmental reasons". Maybe I'll tell her to start eating kangaroo.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Ashartus

Some chapters from this book are getting really ripped on by science bloggers. I haven't read it myself, but apparently they went way outside their area of expertise in some parts of the book (e.g. global warming) and ended up misinterpreting a lot of stuff and making some pretty fundamental errors.

well if bloggers are never wrong then I guess we could conclude that.

I enjoyed the first book and will buy the second one. I like books like this that make people uncomfortable about expanding their beliefs. Many religious people would have nothing to do with the abortion - crime relationship. Not because of deep analysis of course, but simply because anything positive about abortion is beyond comprehension.

Who knows, maybe what they suggest is incorrect but it's tough to conclude that simply because someone with a blog says so.

[Ashartus]

What, you mean bloggers can be wrong Some of the people criticizing the book are pretty reputable, but as I said I haven't read it myself - and even if some parts are wrong doesn't mean the book as a whole isn't worthwhile - just that it should be taken with a grain of salt (like any other book really).

[Jedi Ninja]

Here is one "take down" of the book that I glanced over:

http://climateprogress.org/2009/10/1...eira-myhrvold/

AND

http://climateprogress.org/2009/10/1...warren-buffet/

[Antithesis]

I thought this thread was going to have something to do with Rick James.

[Fleury2005]

Excellent. Had no idea there was a followup book. The first one was stellar. Has anyone here read Dancing Naked In The Mind Field? I read it around the same time and really liked it as well (similar mix of unrelated stories and unexpected conclusions).

[edn88]

Same - no idea dude had a new book. I have officially added it to my Christmas wish list. Really enjoyed Freakonomics - took economics in university and nothing I learned was an enjoyable or useful as the application of economics to everyday situations. I wonder if Freakonomics has made it into the university classroom yet.

[Slava]

I thought that I would post this article on Sperfreakonomics. Really interesting review of the theory and conclusions:

http://www.thebigmoney.com/articles/...down?page=full

[puffnstuff]

One of the authors was on with Jon Stewart the other night, PVR'ed it, haven't watched it yet.

I haven't read any of the blogs or critiques of the book ...yet, just finished reading a couple of days ago...so I may have to wander through some of them.

And the climate change chapter...well WOW, there are some pretty smart dudes in the room that no one is listening to, because of, well lets say...considerations other then what is best for the Earth.

Good read. Especially the last chapter with the monkeys.

[Thor]

Can't wait to read it, love stuff that pisses off people.

[puffnstuff]

Read the first one first then, pay special attention to the Roe V Wade and the crime rate chapter