It is Micro-economics stupid: Steven Levitt
Posted by: adonis49 on: October 17, 2019
Micro-economics freak, Freakonomics…: Who is Steven Levitt
Note: updated this review book of 2011
Seven D. Levitt made himself famous by focusing on micro-economics phenomena that macro-economics scholars would not touch with a long pole.
The macro-economists theorize about mathematical monetary issues, but Levitt says: “I don’t pretend to know very much about the field of economics, I am poor in econometrics (mathematical set of equations with an objective equation and a set of constraint equations, like in operation research field), I don’t know how to do theory. It would be a total fake on my part if I claim that I know how the stock market moves, or if the economy is shrinking, or if deflation is bad or good…”
Levitt’s point of view is that economics is a science with excellent tools for gaining insights, but it lacks and is short on interesting questions to ponder upon.
Steven loves to ask freaky questions and get on with the task of torturing data-bases in order to discover trends and correlations among the various factors.
For example, you ask a question that interest you, and you discover the story behind the problem, such as:
1) Why most drug dealers still live with their mothers?
2) Which is more dangerous: Having a gun at home or a private swimming pool?
3) Why crime rate plunged dramatically in the last two decades and is still witnessing a steady decline, though population increased and the economy has its feet flailing up?
4) Why your real estate agent sells his own home at a higher price and stay longer on the market?
5) Does your stock broker has your best interest in mind?
6) Why black parents give their children names that they know may hurt their career prospects…?
7) Do school teacher cheat to meet high-stakes testing standards?
8) Why police departments distort crime data and eliminate cases from the records…?
Do you believe that the problems of this modern world are not impenetrable, and can be resolved, if the right questions are asked, and people are dedicated in uncovering the real story?
Are you curious in divulging the real stories behind cheating, corruption, and criminal behaviors and activities?
Levitt just loves to play the economist investigator to questions that are related to criminal behaviors.
Levitt drives an aging green Chevy Cavalier with a window that does not shut close, and the car produces a dull roar at highway speed. Levitt notices a homeless guy and says: “He had nice headphones, nicer than mines. Otherwise, it doesn’t look like he has many assets…”
Levitt had an interview for the Society of Fellows, a Harvard clubhouse that pays young scholars to do their own work, for three years, with no commitments attached. Levitt was on fire and his wit crackled. A scholar member asked Steven:
“Do you have a unifying theme of your work? I’m having hard time seeing one underlying theme…”
The scholars volunteered offering what they thought could be a unifying theme, and Steven found himself agreeing with every alternative theme.
Finally, philosopher Robert Nozick interrupted saying: “He is 26 year-old. Why does Steven need to have a unifying theme at such a young age? A talented person take a question and he’ll just answer it, and he’ll be fine.” Steven was awarded the grant.
Steven Levitt has contributed in giving micro-economics and edge over macro-economics or “homo economics” and this behavioral perspective has called into doubt many claims of mankind rational decision-making tendencies.
Real world problems demand to get immersed into various fields of knowledge such as psychology, criminology, sociology, neurology… in order to overcome mathematical theoretical shortcoming.
At 36 of age, Levitt is a full professor at the Univ. of Chicago’s economics department, and received tenure two years after starting to teach. He is an editor of “The Journal of Political Economy”
Note 1: Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of “Freakonomics”, covered the biography of Steven D. Levitt in a special chapter called “Bonus matter”
Note 2: I have published 5 posts on chapters of Freakonomics and you may have a head start with https://adonis49.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/how-to-convert-conventional-wisdoms-into-success-freakonomics-discoveries/
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