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Freakonomics

Levitt, Steven and Dubner, Stephen (2005) Freakonomics London, Penquin Books

Challenges conventional wisdom• questions ‘common sense’• encourages scepticism

Recognises the power of numbers and value of measurement• why do drug dealers live with their mothers?

Warns against experts • they have an agenda (e.g. estate agents)

Be careful with incentives• Can encourage cheating (teachers and sumo wrestlers)

• Can encourage wrong behaviour (Day Care, Haifa)

Morality represents the ideal world;Economics represents the actual world