William Levitt

Although the thesis that SuperCorp was prudent to move its headquarters from Middlesburg to Corporateville could theoretically be true, the author relies on numerous potentially faulty assumptions that render the argument as it is now unconvincing. First, the claim that the recent surge in homeownership in Corporateville proves that it is a superior place to live relative to Middlesburg is problematic. To begin, it fails to address a variety of other possible reasons for Corporateville having such a surge. Perhaps Corporateville's low taxes (stated later in the argument) include taxes related to homeownership, which has encouraged a housing boom. It is also possible that many housing developments have recently become available, allowing people who had already been looking for houses to purchase in Corporateville to finally do as they wished. Either possibility (among others) would weaken – if not disprove – the author's assumption that the growth in number of homeowners in Corporateville shows its superior livability. The claim also fails to address Middlesburg's own housing situation; if Middlesburg is also having a growth in its number of homeowners, then there would not be any direct correlation between growth in homeownership and relative quality of life in the two communities. Second, the author's claim that SuperCorp's employees will be pleased by the corporate move to a non-urban environment because an employee survey has shown that its employees prefer to live in…

Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner Andrew Feist The University of Akron United States Government & Politics 100-638 MWRF 11:00-11:50am Dr. James Holland 07 November 2014 The connection between a teacher and a sumo wrestler probably has not crossed your mind. Have you ever thought about how real-estate agents are similar to members of the Ku Klux Klan? These are not connections you would usually make every day, but they are the basis…

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything is the result of a partnership between a journalist, Stephen J. Dubner, and a University of Chicago economist, Steven D. Levitt. The two explain that the premise of Freakonomics sprung from an assignment Dubner received from New York Times Magazine to write a profile of Levitt. While interviewing Levitt, Dubner found that unlike other economists whom he had interviewed, he actually understood Levitt’s quirky yet effective way…

According to Freakonomics “the science of economics is primarily a set of tools, as opposed to a subject matter” (Levitt. Pg. 13). The study of economics involves many different aspects such as societal mores, economic incentives, information asymmetry, and conventional wisdom, just to name a few. As time continues on though the study of economics boils down to humans respond to incentives. How and why do humans respond to incentives the way they do? Are these incentives always for the best?…

Freakonomics is written by economist Steven D. Levitt and journalist Stephen J. Dubner. It discusses various topics in today’s society that are often over looked. They ask the questions that most people never dare to ask. In chapter one, the authors explain how everyday people find themselves cheating as a way to move up the ladder and benefit financially. This happens more frequently when the incentives they are promised, outweigh their moral compasses. An incentive is defined by Webster’s…

What Freakonomics is trying to argue that every economic theory is wrong in the sense that it missed that missing link. The authors Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner of Freakonomics wants the reader change their entire perspective on economics. Levitt, the economist of the two authors believes there are root causes to everything certain incentives that pushes humans to act a certain way. The book takes this rule and applies it to teachers cheating, sumo wrestlers fixing matches and crime…

pride Tartaglio feels when he comes in thirteenth place in the New York City Marathon. By comparing Tartaglio’s thought processes and emotions after his defeat and triumph, I want to push myself to feel that urgent sense of happiness Tartaglio felt. The feeling of victory, gained by devoting hours every day to building strength, stamina, confidence, and a positive attitude, Tartaglio felt is a feeling I strive to have. I am, like many others in my predicament, tired of never feeling confident…

has them. American economists, Barbara Bergmann and Steven Levitt, are no different. Bergmann deals with racial and gender equality, while Steven Levitt bases his economic ideas on crime rates, abortion, and prostitution. Both economists are well-educated and strong leaders in what they do, though I disagree vehemently with some of Levitt’s ideas. Barbara Bergmann and Steven Levitt have very few similarities. Both are graduates of Harvard University and their economic theories deal with…

Freakonomics is a book about the exploration of prominent issues in society and going against the conventional thinking in regards to these issues. The book declares connections between two topics that are normally not related to each other. For example, comparisons between sumo wrestlers and teachers are made that eventually connect back to economics, in this case incentives. Questions that are usually not asked are examined in the book using evidence; the questions talk about issues seemingly…

Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner examines how incentives are the driving force of human behavior. The book makes a connection between incentives and the economy; specifically how these motivations cause a shift in the financial system. The authors of this text are able to support their argument that this connection is feasible through the use of rhetorical questions, juxtaposition, anecdotes, and an inquisitive tone. In order to prove that incentives- “the cornerstone[s]…