About this title: The "New York Times" columnist and author of "The Economic Naturalist," Robert Frank returns to show how behavioral economics can illuminate some of the most important issues of our times
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Description: Fine. 0465015115 These books come with free tracking number from usps. Thanks for looking at bookhaven1. these books may have shelf wear and remainder mark. hardcover books may have missing or torn Dust Jackets. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Basic Books
Date Published: 2009-05-25
ISBN-13:9780465015115ISBN:0465015115
Description: New. This is a paperback with different cover and publisher stickers. This book is the same isbn, but is a paperback. New, unread, unused & in perfect condition with no damaged or missing pages. Publisher sticker on front cover. Great Copy. Ships Lightning Fast. read more
Description: Like New. 2009-Hardcover-May contain minor shelf-wear. Otherwise, volume un-read and in "As-New" condition. -Used-Like New-Hall Street Books proudly ships from Brooklyn, NY. All orders are processed and shipped within 24 hours, M-F. 100% money back No-Worry guarantee with expedited delivery and delivery confirmation available. read more
Description: Good. 2009-Hardcover----Used-Good-Hall Street Books proudly ships from Brooklyn, NY. All orders are processed and shipped within 24 hours, M-F. 100% money back No-Worry guarantee with expedited delivery and delivery confirmation available. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Basic Books
Date Published: 2009-05-25
ISBN-13:9780465015115ISBN:0465015115
Description: Very Good. Some shelf wear on cover, pages in good reading condition. Ships promptly in a padded mailer w/ delivery confirmation. read more
Description: Good. 0465015115 Book could have a shelf wear, or a bump, or sunfade to edges. These are new unread books from the publisher with one of these conditions. See are feedback as customers are satisfied in how we grade our books. Has remainder mark. Fast shipping and customer service is our number 1 priority! read more
"was v.... economical. i started off pretty intrigued but tired of it a little by the end. even though Frank fully discloses his belief that, "As learning theorists remind us, the key to mastering new concepts is repetition," it is still just a tad too repetitive. it's OK to re-introduce the same theories in new lights; it's a little too 3rd-grade redux to keep repeating the same phrases over (and over) again. It happens enough to leave a sticky, regurgitated taste in your mouth.
in any case, i think he has some good points. they are limited in the sense that they are based on economic theory, and i'd like to see the direct rebuttals and then their subsequent rebuttals (and so on). It seems like there should at least be some questions answered directly in the book, since such strong arguments are made for them. e.g., How is the consumption tax (v. the income tax) a long-term fix if the estate tax is still in place (which it undoubtedly would be with a democratic majority - which is the majority that would be necessary to enact most of the policies that Frank advocates)?
Other questions less serious but as important: Why are people so invariably stupid? Why would you put your most mis-conclusive* article in your own book (didn't you read your article on the full disclosure principal (chapter 56)?), especially when it makes you sound so ridiculous?
And a serious one: How do you get people to care? or to change? or to keep an open mind?
Seriousness to boot -- the book does remind that government is absolutely necessary, and that the reason it is necessary is that people are ridiculously stupid. ... which we already knew, but it's, i guess, always interesting to see the evidence in such certain terms. i have also been watching the John Adams HBO series, which also screams for the necessity of government, so maybe i am twice-disillusioned, and twice-disheartened, by the fact of the matter.
On the other (serious?) hand, the book reminds (me, at least) that being too rational is extremely boring. Apparently, the 'standard economic model' assumes that "people behave as if they were fully rational and in possession of all relevant information." He argues that going to college right after high school is a prime example people making decisions based on the standard economic model. Long story short, i'm more inclined to give advice that prolongs seeing the world while living on ramen noodles and delays work.
So, it seems - to me, at least - that economics is the philosophy of money, and that economics is thus not really for hippies and others who can live with a healthy disregard for money. Unfortunately, as Frank makes apparent, not a lot of people can disregard it, equally perhaps out of need and out of greed. And that makes both economics and politics necessary. And it kind of makes my stomach hurt. I'm on to a more lighthearted book.
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