Freakonomics Discussion

[Double Edge]

there really is this strange opinion in the environmental sector that Humanity must suffer for its crimes against mother earth(a holy goddess), without realising that to solve a problem one must keep their minds open and look at solutions

Check out at what age 'environmental science' becomes a mandatory subject in school here. What is it 6th -7th std, thats at the age of 11-12 when the indoctrination begins

We will have our own green party in a decade or two.

[kuku]

My mother has the unfortunate duty of teaching that course, she is supposed to teach geography, civics and history.

There is no indoctrination going on, just like no Indian coming out of school really understands the importance of a multi party democracy system in India, the importance of economic reforms, the cultural achievements of Ancient India, and the sad current state of India, the meaning of socialism and globalisation, i am not kidding not one student from her school thought of these things as something larger than another number on their report cards, just like it was with us. What they come out of schools is a thought that they must not be the one standing next in the line.......................

Environmental Sciences are important, it includes sewer system, water treatment, waste water treatment, solid waste management etc. etc. The bad part is as we discussed making this a religious.

[highsea]

Environmental Sciences are important, it includes sewer system, water treatment, waste water treatment, solid waste management etc. etc. The bad part is as we discussed making this a religious.

Around here we call that civil engineering, and it's a respectable profession.

Environmental sciences is more like getting stoned and counting snails in tidepools.

[highsea]

I think that was the advice they had in terms of macro-economics and predictions of the market, companies, and nations.

I was being unfair.

Science fiction writers are sometimes correct with their predictions.

[kuku]

Around here we call that civil engineering, and it's a respectable profession.

Environmental sciences is more like getting stoned and counting snails in tidepools.

Here there is a move towards combining elements from chemical and civil engineering and sciences to create a new branch, rapid and unplanned development has had its effects and created its own opportunities.

I was being unfair.

Science fiction writers are sometimes correct with their predictions.

I wonder why do they come out in their hundreds to give out such invaluable advice on TV shows that cost next to nothing to watch. I think a better comparison would be the tarrot card readers and the numerologists, astrologists etc.

[antimony]

I have read both books, got them used from Amazon at a steal of a price.

I love how they weave the notion of making things work with incentives. Regardless of the controversies on some of the data they have used, the notion of incentivising seems to stand up pretty well in the real world.

[bigross86]

I focus on 2 things when I want to get things done: How to incentivise and what incentive to use, and how much "political" capital do I have to use on this topic and is it worth spending said capital?

[highsea]

...I think a better comparison would be the tarrot card readers and the numerologists, astrologists etc.

You know, we tried that during the Reagan administration.

It worked at least as well as our current crop of soothsayers.

[McFire]

I read "Freakonomics" and loved it. I have "Superfreakonomics", but have yet to read it. "Freakonomics" was entertaining and opens a new way to look at issues, from the economic standpoint, ie.; follow the money/follow the numbers or backtrack the numbers and find the origin of issues.

[kuku]

I have read both books, got them used from Amazon at a steal of a price.

I love how they weave the notion of making things work with incentives. Regardless of the controversies on some of the data they have used, the notion of incentivising seems to stand up pretty well in the real world.

I got mine from a second hand book shop

I think if one wants to they can define Incentive in a lot of different ways.



Or the animated version....



What is it in particular that you disagree with them about making things work using incentives?

I read "Freakonomics" and loved it. I have "Superfreakonomics", but have yet to read it. "Freakonomics" was entertaining and opens a new way to look at issues, from the economic standpoint, ie.; follow the money/follow the numbers or backtrack the numbers and find the origin of issues.

Here is an RSA animation on the topic.



For us few who really find it hard to study a book (booo) or listen to someone speech for an hour (yawn)

[ArmchairGeneral]

What is it in particular that you disagree with them about making things work using incentives?

He didn't disagree with them.

[kuku]

Doh!

[DOR]

I read both books, and really enjoyed the study of crack dealers' incomes (below minimum wage) and response to the threat of a "trade war" on the streets of Chicago.

[Wayfarer]

I read both books, and really enjoyed the study of crack dealers' incomes (below minimum wage) and response to the threat of a "trade war" on the streets of Chicago.

That was a good one, especially about the gang leader who had got a degree in Small business management.