Selected “Freakonomics” Columns From The New York Times Magazine Lauren Williams, Katie Wilmes, and Lindsey Howe

Hoodwinked? January 8, 2006  Explains that the man who uncovered KKK secrets was not truthful about all that he had done. He built himself up to be more of a contributor than he was.

Why Vote? November 6, 2005  People believe their vote really matters when in fact it does not have any effect on the election.  They only vote so that other people will see that they are doing their “civic duty” (questioned incentives of voters). We vote out of self interest and as a social incentive.  The Swiss do ballots by mail to eliminate only voting in “hope for social esteem” which also decreases the price.  Caused a decrease in voters  Social incentives matter more to us than financial incentives  People believe their vote really matters when in fact it does not have any effect on the election.  They only vote so that other people will see that they are doing their “civic duty” (questioned incentives of voters). We vote out of self interest and as a social incentive.  The Swiss do ballots by mail to eliminate only voting in “hope for social esteem” which also decreases the price.  Caused a decrease in voters  Social incentives matter more to us than financial incentives

How Many Lives did Dale Earnhardt Save? February 19, 2006  Earnhardt’s death is to Nascar as 9/11 is to the federal government. (caused safety of Nascar to be stressed)  Nascar’s record of zero deaths in five years over 6 million miles is “perhaps not as remarkable as it first sounded” even though you would think that driving a racecar is more dangerous than going to the grocery.  Economists thought that the improvement of the safety would cause more wrecks because racers would be reckless, but the increase in wrecks was very slight.  “enough crashes to satisfy its fans but not too many to destroy the sport”  Earnhardt’s death is to Nascar as 9/11 is to the federal government. (caused safety of Nascar to be stressed)  Nascar’s record of zero deaths in five years over 6 million miles is “perhaps not as remarkable as it first sounded” even though you would think that driving a racecar is more dangerous than going to the grocery.  Economists thought that the improvement of the safety would cause more wrecks because racers would be reckless, but the increase in wrecks was very slight.  “enough crashes to satisfy its fans but not too many to destroy the sport”

The Gift-Card Economy January 7, 2007  Gift cards actually make money for the business because most consumers do not spend the money and it just stays on the card and gets thrown away.  Gift cards are more suited for children than adults  Only for certain relationships:  Shows that the person:  Is thinking about the receiver  Cares about him or her  Wants to give him something he will value  Gift cards are actually a gift for the business  Gift cards actually make money for the business because most consumers do not spend the money and it just stays on the card and gets thrown away.  Gift cards are more suited for children than adults  Only for certain relationships:  Shows that the person:  Is thinking about the receiver  Cares about him or her  Wants to give him something he will value  Gift cards are actually a gift for the business

Filling In The Tax Gap April 2, 2006  The IRS’ role is to enforce the tax laws passed by congress, so if you hate them, it is probably for the wrong reason.  The group of people that do not pay their taxes is actually very small despite the extreme amount of money  IRS conducted face to face audits on only 0.19 percent of all individual tax payers, so people think it is okay to cheat becauses they do not have a good chance of getting caught.  The IRS’ role is to enforce the tax laws passed by congress, so if you hate them, it is probably for the wrong reason.  The group of people that do not pay their taxes is actually very small despite the extreme amount of money  IRS conducted face to face audits on only 0.19 percent of all individual tax payers, so people think it is okay to cheat becauses they do not have a good chance of getting caught.

Laid-Back Labor May 6, 2007  The difference between work and leisure is choice (Did you decide yourself or were you told to?)  Enjoyment scale of 0-10, anything at or above 7.3 is considered leisure and anything below is considered work.  Knitting is leisure, gardening and cooking considered home production  Recent craze of “cooking for fun” produces gray area  Embedded in our genes is a drive to feed and clothe ourselves  The difference between work and leisure is choice (Did you decide yourself or were you told to?)  Enjoyment scale of 0-10, anything at or above 7.3 is considered leisure and anything below is considered work.  Knitting is leisure, gardening and cooking considered home production  Recent craze of “cooking for fun” produces gray area  Embedded in our genes is a drive to feed and clothe ourselves