Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner (Free EPUB Download)
Freakonomics: A Book That Changed How We Think About Economics
If you are interested in economics, sociology, or just curious about the world, you have probably heard of Freakonomics. This book, written by economist Steven Levitt and journalist Stephen Dubner, has sold over 4 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 17 languages. It has also spawned a sequel, a movie, a podcast, and a blog. But what is Freakonomics and why is it so popular?
Freakonomics Steven Levitt Epub Download 18 digital rechtsbeista
Who is Steven Levitt and what is his contribution to economics?
Steven Levitt is a professor of economics at the University of Chicago and a winner of the John Bates Clark Medal, which is awarded every two years to the most promising U.S. economist under the age of 40. He is known for applying economic theory and data analysis to unconventional topics, such as crime, cheating, abortion, parenting, and naming. He has published over 60 academic papers on these and other subjects.
Levitt's approach to economics is different from the traditional one. He does not focus on macroeconomic issues, such as inflation, unemployment, or growth. Instead, he studies microeconomic phenomena, such as individual behavior, choices, and incentives. He also does not rely on complex mathematical models or assumptions. Instead, he uses empirical evidence, natural experiments, and statistical tools to test his hypotheses and find causal relationships.
Levitt's work has challenged some of the conventional wisdom and common sense in economics and society. He has shown that teachers and sumo wrestlers cheat when they have incentives to do so; that the Ku Klux Klan and real estate agents use information asymmetry to their advantage; that drug dealers earn very low wages and face high risks; that legalized abortion has reduced crime rates; that good parenting has little effect on education outcomes; and that names have socioeconomic implications.
What is Freakonomics and what are its main themes?
What is Freakonomics?
Freakonomics is a book that collects some of Levitt's most interesting and provocative research findings and presents them in an accessible and entertaining way. The book was co-authored by Stephen Dubner, a former writer and editor at The New York Times Magazine, who met Levitt when he interviewed him for a profile. Dubner helped Levitt translate his academic jargon into plain language and added anecdotes, stories, and humor to make the book more engaging.
The book was published in 2005 by William Morrow and became an instant bestseller. It received positive reviews from critics and readers alike, who praised its originality, creativity, and insightfulness. It also sparked debates and controversies, especially on the topics of abortion and crime, which some people found offensive or questionable. The book has been described as "melding pop culture with economics" and "making economics fun".
What are the main themes of Freakonomics?
The hidden side of everything
One of the main themes of Freakonomics is that there is a hidden side to everything, meaning that there are often surprising and unexpected connections and explanations behind seemingly unrelated phenomena. For example, Levitt and Dubner show that the decline in crime rates in the U.S. in the 1990s was not caused by better policing, stricter laws, or economic growth, but by the legalization of abortion in the 1970s, which reduced the number of unwanted children who would grow up to be criminals.
The power of incentives
Another main theme of Freakonomics is that incentives matter, meaning that people respond to rewards and punishments in predictable ways. For example, Levitt and Dubner show that teachers and sumo wrestlers cheat when they have incentives to do so, such as improving their test scores or avoiding demotion; that drug dealers stay in the business despite low earnings and high risks because they have incentives to do so, such as status, prestige, or hope of becoming rich; and that parents name their children according to their incentives, such as signaling their social class, ethnicity, or aspirations.
The role of data and experiments
A third main theme of Freakonomics is that data and experiments are essential, meaning that they can help us discover the hidden side of everything and test the power of incentives. For example, Levitt and Dubner show how they use data from various sources, such as school records, sumo rankings, gang ledgers, birth certificates, and voting booths, to analyze patterns, trends, and correlations. They also show how they use natural experiments, such as random events, policy changes, or historical accidents, to establish causality and measure effects.
How to download Freakonomics Steven Levitt epub for free?
If you are interested in reading Freakonomics but do not want to buy a physical copy or pay for an ebook, you might be wondering how to download it for free. One way to do that is to look for an epub file of the book online. An epub file is a digital format that allows you to read ebooks on various devices. But before you do that, you should be aware of some of the legal and ethical issues involved in downloading ebooks for free.
What is an epub file and why is it better than a pdf?
An epub file is a type of ebook file that stands for electronic publication. It is a standard format that is supported by most ebook readers, such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Google Play Books, Apple Books, and Adobe Digital Editions. It is also compatible with many apps and software programs that allow you to read ebooks on your computer or mobile device.
An epub file has several advantages over a pdf file, which is another common type of ebook file. An epub file is more flexible and adaptable than a pdf file. It can adjust to different screen sizes and orientations, change fonts and text sizes, reflow text and images, add bookmarks and annotations, and enable interactive features. A pdf file, on the other hand, is more rigid and fixed. It preserves the layout and appearance of the original document but does not allow much customization or interactivity.
What are the legal and ethical issues of downloading ebooks for free?
Downloading ebooks for free might seem like a harmless and convenient way to access books without paying for them. However, there are some legal and ethical issues that you should consider before doing so. First of all, downloading ebooks for free might violate the copyright laws of your country or region. Copyright laws protect the rights of authors and publishers to control the distribution and use of their works. By downloading ebooks for free without their permission or consent, you might be infringing on their intellectual property rights and exposing yourself to potential lawsuits or penalties.
Secondly, downloading ebooks for free might harm the authors and publishers financially. Authors and publishers rely on the sales of their books to earn income and cover their costs. By downloading ebooks for free instead of buying them legally, you might be depriving them of their deserved revenue and profit. This might affect their ability to produce more books in the future or maintain their quality standards.
Thirdly, downloading ebooks for free might compromise your security and privacy. Many websites that offer free ebooks are illegal or unregulated. They might contain malware or viruses that can damage your device or steal your personal information. They might also track your online activity or expose you to unwanted ads or spam.
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