Freakonomics

Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner’s book, “Freakonomics,” explores the hidden side of everything. Bizarre and unique chapter titles both confuse and compel the reader to push forward. “Freakonomics” is one of the first books to push economics and data science into popular consciousness, if you recently passed over it pushing it aside or even off your reading list, it is definitely worth taking a second look.

Steven Levitt’s ability to ask questions about unrelated topics and draw a reasonable conclusion connecting the two topics, charms the reader throughout each chapter. “Freakonomics” is composed of a series of chapters, all of which propose questions as to evoke discomfort, confusion, and drive to keep reading. For example…

1. What do school teachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? While this relationship is perplexing at first, as the chapter progresses the key link to sumo wrestlers and school teachers are incentives. The chapter shows how incentives are the cornerstone to modern life.

2. How is the Ku Klux Klan like a group of real estate agents? This one looks at the power of information in markets and how experts, wether a criminologist or a real-estate agent, use their informational advantage to serve their own agenda. 

3. Why do drug dealers still live with their moms? This section draws a relationship between crack dealers and fortune five hundred companies, specifically the struggle to reach the top. 

4. Where have all the criminals gone? This chapter explores the facts and fiction of crime. 

5. What makes a perfect parent? This poses the question “do parents matter?”.

Levitt's answers to the questions proposed in the chapters are tightly reasoned, interesting, and provocative. They're what make the book worth reading. Each chapter title proposes an interesting situation, they are bound to interest any reader. “Freakonomics” reaches far and wide, the material can be easily enjoyed by people of all ages, interests, and occupations. 

Levitt does not think it is necessary to identify a true “theme” from the topics he analyzes. He says that “since the science of economics is primarily a set of tools, as opposed to a subject matter, then no subject, however offbeat, need be beyond its reach.” While Levitt immediately denies any sort of theme in the introduction of the book, the book isn't a choppy mess. Levitt’s voice is prominent throughout each passage, its written in a very casual tone that draws the reader closer and personalizes the text. 

While the text has a very inviting voice, chances are you will take some offense to parts of “Freakonomics”. The book is said to have managed to offend nearly everyone. If you are a conservative you will most likely be outraged that abortion is promoted as a solution to crime. If you are a liberal, you might be upset by the racism, in the name section. Levitt’s ability to piss everyone off and still retain nearly four million readers is impeccable. Even though some of the topics offend, the bigger picture of each subject matter can be easily sympathized with. “Freakonomics” is an excellent quick read that sucks you into its vortex of unconventional reasoning of past and modern day occurrences. Once you dive in, you may never stop until you start drawing relationships between any and every unrelated subject matter such as commercial airline companies and Yellowstone National Park’s entrance fee.