I've recently read two very interesting books and even so this forum is for movies I've decided to post my impressions here given that we don't have a forum to review books.
The first book is called "Predictably Irrational" by Dan Ariely. This is a popular book covering the new field of "behavioral economics" - a study of how our emotions and biases affect economic decisions. The author describes many experiments he and his colleges conducted and the surprising insights into human nature and decision making they've uncovered.
Most of us here have studied classic economic theories of supply and demand. These old theories, however, assume rational subjects. Ariely's book helps one understand how our "irrational" nature affects economy in the real world. This book helps one reexamine his own motivations and consumer choices, as well as take a new look at and better understand economic and educational policies.
Two good books on classical economics I've read were "Armchair Economist" by Steven Landsburg and "Applied Economics" by Thomas Sowell. These two plus Ariely's book in my opinion provide person with a knowledge base sufficient to understand and follow todays economic news and economy-related public policy debates.
The second book (I just finished it today) is "Mugged by Reality" by John Agresto. This book talks about perhaps the most important issue of this election year - the war in Iraq. Written by self-described neocon republican the views expressed in the book differ radically from the neocon mantra of "we will [magically] turn Iraq into a democratic country and an American ally any day now".
John Agresto went to Iraq right after the invasion as an assistant to ambassador Bremer to help rebuild Iraq's higher education. From this corner he observed the shortsightedness and unpreparedness of the military, the CPA, and the Administration, as well as the problems the Iraqi culture presented for the democracy project. In particular, the stories of the endemic corruption that permeates the life in Iraq will sound familiar to many on this forum.
Among many reasons why things did not go well in Iraq is the fact that people who wanted to build democracy there had only a vague idea of what exactly is democracy and what makes it work in their own country (U.S.). The author spends quite some time to discuss the history of how democracy developed in the United States and what made it work (or not work) elsewhere.
Today hardly anyone ever changes their mind on a political issue. So many pundits and politicians went to visit Iraq just to "put a check mark" an only give more weight to their preexisting views. It is nice to see someone who actually bases his views on facts rather then filters facts to fit his theories.
Sasha
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Work is a matter of taste. If you don't work you don't taste.
