Why you should read Freakanomics

I read this originally, when it was released in 2006. I was just hopeful as I completed my “year in the city” deal. Being drawn to weird things, I was recommended this book by a teacher. The long and short of it is two big things. Stats can be correlated weird. Like when is best to just be a hooker? This book also taught me this.

Incentives are are essential in understanding and developing power.

Here is the story.

A child at potty training age just will not use the bathroom properly. The mother has done everything. She is frustrated and talks to her husband. He is a bright college professor and accepts the challenge. “Get your daughter to the the potty.”

The father tells the daughter, “If you use the bathroom, I’ll give you M&M’s.” The daughter happily accepts.

Low and beholds, it works. The daughter loved M&M’s and she assessed and self-managed a positive result. But, she’s clever too.

The father returns to the mother to gloat. The daughter barrels through them to get to the bathroom. Moments later, water sounds revealed the husband’s success. “See? That wasn’t that hard,” he spoke through his grin. The daughter comes out extending clean hands for her well deserved reward. He places the bad of M&M’s into his daughter’s hands. She smiles then returns to the bathroom.

The parents stare at each other confused as the water sounds repeat. Moments later, the child reappears with outstretched hands. “MM’s please.” The father places the M&M in his daughter’s hands. She turns around and goes back to the bathroom.