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 Levitt—the 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 Dubner—a 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 don’t 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