What in the name?
Chapter 6 talked about the relationship between a child’s name and his character. As it turned out a child’s name and his character does not have a cause and effect relationship. It just so happen that a child’s name is often a reflection of the type of parents he has. I think this is especially true because a smart parent would know that it would be less of a hassle to give a child a name that is perceive well in the real world. For example if a child is already black, I don’t need to add an extra struggle to him by giving him a name that can be discriminated against. Although it is wrong for people to discriminate against a person based on names and color, but I don’t think discrimination as an issue should be a child’s bottle. Being a victim of discrimination at a young age could have long lasting psychological impact on a person (e.g. the person might grow up to be a bitter person which could further worsen his condition). I think it’s best for a parent to try to protect a child’s happiness for as long as possible. I am not saying that African Americans should not take on black names as a way to pride their African heritage, I’m merely saying that perhaps parents should leave it up to a child to change his name to an African sounding name when he become older and better equip to deal with discrimination.
Let’s face it discrimination is not going anywhere anytime soon. I think it’s important to try to get around it as much as fighting it. One had to be intelligent. A person’s well being should be placed before his pride. Therefore, People have to remember, they have to fight for their well beings too. It’s not all about pride.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Chapter 5
Good parenting is the way to go
This is the chapter that I least agree with. The author suggested that 50% of how a child turned out is genetic. Meanwhile, the way they are raised is responsible for the other half of how they are turned out. I think the relationship is more like 25% to 75%. I think genetic is only responsible for about 25% of how a child turns out. The parents a child have, and the environment where he’s raised is responsible for about 75% of how a child turned out. My disagreement with the author might stem from the fact I am a person with a high internal locus of control. i.e. I believe that I will be greatly responsible for how my children turn out when I become a parent. I don’t agree with the author’s point that moving a child out of certain environment to another really doesn’t matter. In actuality, the childhood friends, classmates, teachers, and neighbors are all going to have an impact on a child’s psyche. The environment where a child is raised is crucial in determining the child’s personality and character. Granted, the author made a good point, by saying a parent that tries to take certain steps to protect his/her child is a reflection of the type of parent he/she is. I just disagree when he says the steps that he/she undertakes are not what bring the results, but his character that is reflected in the decisions that he/she takes is. It is a combination of great judgment and great decisions that yield to great upbringing of a child.
Meanwhile, I do agree with author’s point about parents being afraid of things based on the gruesomeness that may be involved should they occur as opposed to the possibility of them occurring. The truth is generally people don’t think. They let their emotion makes decisions for them. Honestly, emotions don’t often lead to the best decisions.
This is the chapter that I least agree with. The author suggested that 50% of how a child turned out is genetic. Meanwhile, the way they are raised is responsible for the other half of how they are turned out. I think the relationship is more like 25% to 75%. I think genetic is only responsible for about 25% of how a child turns out. The parents a child have, and the environment where he’s raised is responsible for about 75% of how a child turned out. My disagreement with the author might stem from the fact I am a person with a high internal locus of control. i.e. I believe that I will be greatly responsible for how my children turn out when I become a parent. I don’t agree with the author’s point that moving a child out of certain environment to another really doesn’t matter. In actuality, the childhood friends, classmates, teachers, and neighbors are all going to have an impact on a child’s psyche. The environment where a child is raised is crucial in determining the child’s personality and character. Granted, the author made a good point, by saying a parent that tries to take certain steps to protect his/her child is a reflection of the type of parent he/she is. I just disagree when he says the steps that he/she undertakes are not what bring the results, but his character that is reflected in the decisions that he/she takes is. It is a combination of great judgment and great decisions that yield to great upbringing of a child.
Meanwhile, I do agree with author’s point about parents being afraid of things based on the gruesomeness that may be involved should they occur as opposed to the possibility of them occurring. The truth is generally people don’t think. They let their emotion makes decisions for them. Honestly, emotions don’t often lead to the best decisions.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Chapter 4
Picking between Right and Right
Chapter four has provided a lot of information regarding policing tactics. As a person who is considering politics at some point in my life, I found this information very useful. I was glad to learn that it is more effective to have more men power than high level of equipments when it comes to fighting crimes. After all no equipment can replace the resources that human intelligence bring. I will take that with me when I reach my dream destination.
Further this chapter has had a great impact on how I feel abortions. The book has brought about the two sides of the abortion issue in a very real and frank way. After reading this book, I realize that there are no right and wrong side when it comes to abortion. Both sides have strong grounds to base their belief on because there is a cost and benefit to the pro and the con side of the issue. On one hand, it is heart breaking to kill a baby before he/she’s born if you believe live begin at conceptions. On the other it is a big nuisance to society when those unwanted babies grow up to become criminals. They often commit gruesome crimes such as killing and torturing elders.
Furthermore, I became more hopeful of the African-American community after reading the section where the author talked about the crack-market bust. As a Haitian-American, I found that to be very good news for blacks. After all, crack has been one of the major factors contributing to the detriment of blacks for some times. It is very good that blacks are looking at other avenues to prosper. They still have major obstacles ahead, but pride and anger is not going to solve anything. Education, better economic conditions and a more peaceful environment to raise children will.
Chapter four has provided a lot of information regarding policing tactics. As a person who is considering politics at some point in my life, I found this information very useful. I was glad to learn that it is more effective to have more men power than high level of equipments when it comes to fighting crimes. After all no equipment can replace the resources that human intelligence bring. I will take that with me when I reach my dream destination.
Further this chapter has had a great impact on how I feel abortions. The book has brought about the two sides of the abortion issue in a very real and frank way. After reading this book, I realize that there are no right and wrong side when it comes to abortion. Both sides have strong grounds to base their belief on because there is a cost and benefit to the pro and the con side of the issue. On one hand, it is heart breaking to kill a baby before he/she’s born if you believe live begin at conceptions. On the other it is a big nuisance to society when those unwanted babies grow up to become criminals. They often commit gruesome crimes such as killing and torturing elders.
Furthermore, I became more hopeful of the African-American community after reading the section where the author talked about the crack-market bust. As a Haitian-American, I found that to be very good news for blacks. After all, crack has been one of the major factors contributing to the detriment of blacks for some times. It is very good that blacks are looking at other avenues to prosper. They still have major obstacles ahead, but pride and anger is not going to solve anything. Education, better economic conditions and a more peaceful environment to raise children will.
Chapter 3
Why is Selling dope even an option?
This chapter made an outstanding point about the irrationality of being a drug dealer. The majority of drug dealers make about $3.30/hr, and they face a probability of one out of four of getting killed in the street. Most of them usually live with their parents because they can’t afford to live on their own. Why on earth someone would choose to be a drug dealer when there are some many other ways to make so much more money and live at peace? How could some people be so irrational?
Further, the author made a point about drug dealer’s possible motive for accepting such a tough working condition. Most of them are trying to get to the top 2% level where drug dealing really pays. Those at that level spend one third of their times in jail. People would definitely be better off trying to make it in the legal work environment.
Maybe the ghettos are suffering from a lack of true leadership that can gear young black men towards more rationale choices. The civil right leaders spend too much time trying to get the government to give wealth fare to people who are young and able to work. I think they should spend more time helping blacks choosing educations so they can have better futures. Blacks can make lots of money legally and live in peace if they are willing to sacrifice a few years of their youths in school. Selling drugs is not the only way to make money.
Unfortunately the ghettos suffer from a lack of information. People don’t even know about their options. As a master student, I didn’t find out until a few weeks ago that McKnight scholarship pays $25,000 a year to any African American that chooses to seat through a PHD program. It is uncommon to hear people from poor neighborhood saying they don’t want to go to college because they don’t want to have to pay back student loans. All they need is for someone to tell them that the government gives grant for those whose incomes are insufficient to pay for college. For those who have to take loans, student loans are hardly significant when compare with the amount of benefits one can get from going to college
This chapter made an outstanding point about the irrationality of being a drug dealer. The majority of drug dealers make about $3.30/hr, and they face a probability of one out of four of getting killed in the street. Most of them usually live with their parents because they can’t afford to live on their own. Why on earth someone would choose to be a drug dealer when there are some many other ways to make so much more money and live at peace? How could some people be so irrational?
Further, the author made a point about drug dealer’s possible motive for accepting such a tough working condition. Most of them are trying to get to the top 2% level where drug dealing really pays. Those at that level spend one third of their times in jail. People would definitely be better off trying to make it in the legal work environment.
Maybe the ghettos are suffering from a lack of true leadership that can gear young black men towards more rationale choices. The civil right leaders spend too much time trying to get the government to give wealth fare to people who are young and able to work. I think they should spend more time helping blacks choosing educations so they can have better futures. Blacks can make lots of money legally and live in peace if they are willing to sacrifice a few years of their youths in school. Selling drugs is not the only way to make money.
Unfortunately the ghettos suffer from a lack of information. People don’t even know about their options. As a master student, I didn’t find out until a few weeks ago that McKnight scholarship pays $25,000 a year to any African American that chooses to seat through a PHD program. It is uncommon to hear people from poor neighborhood saying they don’t want to go to college because they don’t want to have to pay back student loans. All they need is for someone to tell them that the government gives grant for those whose incomes are insufficient to pay for college. For those who have to take loans, student loans are hardly significant when compare with the amount of benefits one can get from going to college
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
KKK and Real Estate Agents
An unusual similarity
This chapter point out the similarities between the KKK’s deceitful practices and that of a group of real estate agents. The KKK, like some real estate agents, used to take advantage of people’s ignorance in order to perpetuate itself. They developed secret codes to communicate to each other. A fascinating fact about the KKK is that it was a secrete society with a lot of powerful members including local sheriffs and judges, and no one knew who the members were unless they were part of it. They took advantage of the information asymmetry that existed between them and the public to further their cause. Likewise, real estate agents got their own code of communication that only they understand. Like the KKK, they used to use this information asymmetry against their costumers, until the internet started to level the plain field.
The availability of information is a powerful tool. For decades, no one (including the government) could stop the KKK. In the end it’s fascinating how simple it was to bring that evil terrorist organization to it knees. The release of their shameful codes and practices served the biggest blow to the KKK. Maybe we could use similar tactics to fight modern terrorists. Sometime the solutions cannot be found by fighting battles. We should try to go on a propaganda war against terrorism in order to deter young men from wanting to be terrorists.
Further the KKK used random fear of violence as a weapon to scare opponents. According to the author, lynching of blacks had been on the decline since 1890 (1,111 blacks were lynching from1890 to 1899). Meanwhile only 3 lynching of blacks took place from 1960 to 1969. The KKK had figured out that random fear of violence is more effective than mass murdering. Mass murdering of people tend to inspire people to fight back because of the gruesome effect it has on the psyche of people. Meanwhile random violence is enough to modify behaviors but not enough to start a revolution.
KKK and Real Estate Agents
An unusual similarity
This chapter point out the similarities between the KKK’s deceitful practices and that of a group of real estate agents. The KKK, like some real estate agents, used to take advantage of people’s ignorance in order to perpetuate itself. They developed secret codes to communicate to each other. A fascinating fact about the KKK is that it was a secrete society with a lot of powerful members including local sheriffs and judges, and no one knew who the members were unless they were part of it. They took advantage of the information asymmetry that existed between them and the public to further their cause. Likewise, real estate agents got their own code of communication that only they understand. Like the KKK, they used to use this information asymmetry against their costumers, until the internet started to level the plain field.
The availability of information is a powerful tool. For decades, no one (including the government) could stop the KKK. In the end it’s fascinating how simple it was to bring that evil terrorist organization to it knees. The release of their shameful codes and practices served the biggest blow to the KKK. Maybe we could use similar tactics to fight modern terrorists. Sometime the solutions cannot be found by fighting battles. We should try to go on a propaganda war against terrorism in order to deter young men from wanting to be terrorists.
Further the KKK used random fear of violence as a weapon to scare opponents. According to the author, lynching of blacks had been on the decline since 1890 (1,111 blacks were lynching from1890 to 1899). Meanwhile only 3 lynching of blacks took place from 1960 to 1969. The KKK had figured out that random fear of violence is more effective than mass murdering. Mass murdering of people tend to inspire people to fight back because of the gruesome effect it has on the psyche of people. Meanwhile random violence is enough to modify behaviors but not enough to start a revolution.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Chapter 1
Teachers Cheat!! Sumo Wrestlers can be dishonest!! Are you kidding me?
The first chapter of the book "Freakonomics" shows that cheating exists in the most unlikely places. Who would have thought teachers would be among people that need to be supervised in order to prevent cheating and fight corruption in our society. After all, teachers are supposed to be role models. They are supposed to teach kids morality, integrity, and self discipline. No wonder our school system has been getting worse these past couple of years. Even worst, the level of cheating that exists in our school system (according to the book) is shockingly beyond what one can imagine.
Furthermore, this author’s conclusion reveals the power of incentive. Who would have thought a sport such as Sumo wrestling could be corrupted by dishonest cheaters. Sumo wrestling sport is a national pride for Japanese. On the surface, Sumo wrestlers make it seem like pride is everything. Don't be fool. The statistics in the book has revealed that behind the curtain, some of them are involved deceitfully in match arrangements. This goes to show that with the right incentive in place, corruptions can exist anywhere.
Similarly the war on drug will never be won so long as the demand curve stays positive. The demand for drug is what’s keeping the price of drugs so high; thus keeping the incentive to sell drugs alive. The incentive to take part into detrimental activities is providing an external motive to people. As a society, we have to fight this motive to do evil by encouraging intrinsic motives to do good. Let’s inspire people to do what’s right instead of cohesive means to force them to do what they want. The war on drug should be a psychological one, instead wasting police resources to pointless fights.
The first chapter of the book "Freakonomics" shows that cheating exists in the most unlikely places. Who would have thought teachers would be among people that need to be supervised in order to prevent cheating and fight corruption in our society. After all, teachers are supposed to be role models. They are supposed to teach kids morality, integrity, and self discipline. No wonder our school system has been getting worse these past couple of years. Even worst, the level of cheating that exists in our school system (according to the book) is shockingly beyond what one can imagine.
Furthermore, this author’s conclusion reveals the power of incentive. Who would have thought a sport such as Sumo wrestling could be corrupted by dishonest cheaters. Sumo wrestling sport is a national pride for Japanese. On the surface, Sumo wrestlers make it seem like pride is everything. Don't be fool. The statistics in the book has revealed that behind the curtain, some of them are involved deceitfully in match arrangements. This goes to show that with the right incentive in place, corruptions can exist anywhere.
Similarly the war on drug will never be won so long as the demand curve stays positive. The demand for drug is what’s keeping the price of drugs so high; thus keeping the incentive to sell drugs alive. The incentive to take part into detrimental activities is providing an external motive to people. As a society, we have to fight this motive to do evil by encouraging intrinsic motives to do good. Let’s inspire people to do what’s right instead of cohesive means to force them to do what they want. The war on drug should be a psychological one, instead wasting police resources to pointless fights.
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