FREAKONOMICS

1
FREAKONOMICS

• An introduction

2
What is an economist?

• A person who works in the field of economics.
• Economics is the science that deals with the
  production, distribution, and consumption of
  goods and services, or the material welfare of
  humankind.

3
Steven Levittthe economist

• Professor of economics
• at the University of Chicago
• Best known for his work
• in linking economics to crime
• Winner of John Bates
• Clark medal awarded
• to the American economist under the age of
  forty who is adjudged to have made a significant
  contribution to economic thought and knowledge.

4
Stephen Dubnera journalist

• Former writer and editor
• at the New York Times
• Magazine
• Taught English at Columbia
• University

5
About the book

• Pop culture meets economics
• Sold over 4 million copies worldwide
• Adds sociology in the mix
• Utilizes the concept of data mining to uncover
  hidden truths about society
• Data mining is a process of translating large
  amounts of data to find connections between types
  of information that dont seem to be related.

6
Freakonomics as argument

• You can expect
• Heavy logos (this is about numbers)
• Some pathos (humor, most often)
• Some ethos (credible speakers)
• The study of incentives
• Freakonomics Videos