Freakonomics

by Steven D Levitt and Stephen J Dubner

[celinenyx]

What makes Freakonomics so enjoyable is its attitude - no question or comparison is too weird or out there. It's the result of what happens when you let someone with an academic background in economics research whatever the hell he wants. And with chapters like, "Why do drug dealers still live with their mothers?", you know you won't get any startling insights into the nature of life, but you will learn some fun facts to impress others with at cocktail parties.

Ultimately, I disagree with one of the book's core assumptions: that economics teaches us what the world is truly like. As a humanities student, this seems reductionist and an unsatisfying conclusion. Statistics, while an useful (and in this case, surprisingly fun) tool, does not truly explain anything. Still, the authors take you on an entertaining romp through some random issues. Freakonomics, though not universe-shifting or mind-blowing, is well worth your while.