Chapter 1 talks about incentives and how economy is the study of incentives. There are three types: economic, social, and moral. Incentives are used to manipulate human behavior. In chapter 2, Levitt and Dubner start off by talking about the Klu Klux Klan. A reason as to why the KKK was so successful during the 1940s was because of its secrecy. But then its downfall is caused by Stetson Kennedy, who became a part of the KKK in Atlanta, and learned of the group's rituals, handshakes, etc. Then the authors talk about information asymmetry, which is utilizing information as a means of gaining power at the disadvantage of others. This book was most likely written to further expand economists and people interested in economy's knowledge on economy and its correlation to gangs and real estate agents.
Levitt, a economist at the University of Chicago (Harvard undergrad, PhD from MIT) and winner of the John Bates Clark Medal, and Dubner, former editor and writer at The New York Times, are both credible authors. So far, I feel that the authors have accomplished their purpose of providing knowledge to those interested in economics as they present the information in an interesting and comical manner.
Logos was frequently used, one example is during an incentives study, parents were charged a $3 fee if they picked up their child late from daycare. This did not motivate the parents as the fee was too low. Also, metaphors were used, comparing teachers to sumo wrestlers.
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