I’m re-listening to the audible versions of Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics.  As I’m going through it, I’m convinced that the IBM Information on Demand Conference committee couldn’t have chosen better guest speakers for a conference that is all about data!

What are these books about?  Steven Levitt is an economist who is intrigued by the stories behind the data.  He’s managed to find data in the most unlikely places about topics that are not well documented.  Stephen Dubner is the journalist who has an exceptional talent of putting together the stories that give radical conclusions to the data.

 

The Freakonomics book answered such questions:

• Do teachers cheat on standardized tests?
• What brought the crime rate down so low in the 90s?
• What is the most dangerous job in America?
• Do real estate agents really have your interests in mind when selling your house?
• What effect does the name you give to your child have on his / her future?
• What really matters most when parenting?

 

SuperFreakonomics:

• How can technology improve the quality of life for women in remote areas of the world?
• How did the car save the world from one of the biggest problems occurring in 1900?
• Why are brownstones in NYC built the way they are?
• Does chemotherapy really help cancer victims?
• When is 99% not accurate enough?
• Why should you desire to have more the IRS conduct more audits?
• Why are there so few women at the head of large companies?
• Why is being in the military more dangerous in times of peace vs times of war?
• When is it best to avoid going to the emergency room for an illness?
• Why did the crime rate go up so high in the 60s? 

These are just some of the stories that I remember.  If you love data, you’ll love the stories and conclusions that Levitt & Dubnar put together based on the data that they analyze. 

 

Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt  are presenting at the keynote session at IOD that takes place Wednesday morning…. and come by to get your book signed after the keynote for an incredibly short signing session from 10:00 - 10:20 am.    I hope you can join us.  Add this book signing to your schedule via the Smart Site Agenda Builder. Their session is Anc # 3779.

Susan

Tags:  dubner books levitt freakonomics signing iodgc