Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions

Filed Under Books, Periodic Posts

This is a book by Dan Ariely that I have started to read. Dan Ariely is a behavioral economist. If you don’t know what a behavioral economist is, maybe it’s about time you found out.

Follow this link to read my musings about the book. That is the page that I will update as I read more.

The type of research that Ariely does may not be well known to people who learned their economics a long time ago and have not maintained contact with the current state of economic theory.  I certainly include myself in the list of old geezers who have fallen behind.  I would also include John McCain and perhaps Phil Gramm in that list.

With Barack Obama’s university contacts and his willingness to learn new things, I would be willing to bet that his policies will take account of this new information.  My thinking on economics will certainly be influenced by this book.

Check Original Sources

Filed Under Books, Periodic Posts

I did find one letter to the editor in the Worcester T & G that I liked very much.

Follow this link to read the letter. This letter wisely suggests that instead of trusting what somebody tells you, that you should look at the original sources.  Original sources is how the book  Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong claims to refute some of what you learned in school.

There is a good deal of controversy in the comments to the letter. Some of which I instigated.

Supercapitalism

Filed Under Books

The book Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life by Robert B. Reich, is a great description of how capitalism has come to dominate democracy in our government.

When it comes to solutions, I think the book falls short. Follow the link above to see the details.

I think I have come up with a practical step that is better than any that Reich proposes in his book. You’ll also find that at the link.

“They Take Our Jobs!” and 20 other myths about immigration

Filed Under Books

“They Take Our Jobs!” and 20 other myths about immigration by Aviva Chomsky.

I just checked this out of the Joshua Hyde Library in Sturbridge.

Follow the above link to see more details on my Books web page.

American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic

Filed Under Books

American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic by Joseph J. Ellis

I just checked this out of the Joshua Hyde Library in Sturbridge.

I am only up to the part where Washington and his troops leave Valley Forge for the spring campaign. I am finding the book to be very enlightening.