Freakonomics
Hidden-incentives bestseller
Freakonomics is a portmanteau of freak and economics, coined by economist Steven Levitt and journalist Stephen Dubner for their 2005 book applying economic analysis to unexpected subjects—sumo wrestling, crack dealers, baby names.
The term now describes any counterintuitive economic reasoning or the practice of finding hidden incentives behind everyday phenomena: It's freakonomics that crime dropped because of abortion access.
Rewards prompting action
- causalityCause-effect connection
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
- data-drivenInformed by collected information
- empiricalBased on observation, not theory
variables · hypothesis · counterintuitive · quantitative · anomaly · dataset · metrics · findings
High-volume publication
- nonfictionLiterature about real events
- chaptersMain divisions of text
- paperbackBook with flexible cover
- hardcoverRigid-bound book format
sequel · preface · index · footnotes · bibliography · editions · audiobook · readership
Causing public dispute
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- debateFormal argument on issues
- criticismJudgment of faults
- backlashStrong negative reaction
scrutiny · rebuttal · skepticism · critique · contentious · disputed · polarizing · challenged
Departing from standard practice
- counterintuitiveContrary to expectations
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- unorthodoxContrary to accepted practice
- irreverentDisrespectful toward authority
accessible · storytelling · surprising · unexpected · questioning
Deceptive rule-breaking
- teachersThose who instruct students
- abortionEnding a pregnancy
- parentingNurturing and guiding children
- gun-controlLaws governing weapon ownership
Episodic digital audio series
- documentaryFactual film about reality
- infotainmentNews-entertainment media blend
- edutainmentAmusing instruction media
- episodesDistinct parts of a series
interviews · crossover · mainstream · commentator · appearances · listeners · subscribers · syndication
incentives
Rewards prompting action
- causalityCause-effect connection
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
- data-drivenInformed by collected information
empirical · variables · hypothesis · counterintuitive · quantitative · anomaly · dataset · metrics · findings
bestseller
High-volume publication
- nonfictionLiterature about real events
- chaptersMain divisions of text
- paperbackBook with flexible cover
hardcover · sequel · preface · index · footnotes · bibliography · editions · audiobook · readership · reviews
controversial
Causing public dispute
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- debateFormal argument on issues
- criticismJudgment of faults
backlash · scrutiny · rebuttal · skepticism · critique · contentious · disputed · polarizing · challenged · influential
unconventional
Departing from standard practice
- counterintuitiveContrary to expectations
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- unorthodoxContrary to accepted practice
irreverent · accessible · storytelling · surprising · unexpected · questioning
cheating
Deceptive rule-breaking
podcast
Episodic digital audio series
- documentaryFactual film about reality
- infotainmentNews-entertainment media blend
- edutainmentAmusing instruction media
episodes · interviews · crossover · mainstream · commentator · appearances · listeners · subscribers · syndication
- Nonfiction BooksThe Selfish Gene, Flow, Grit, The Double Helix, Silent Spring
- Statistics Books
- economicssupply and demand, inflation, GDP, GNP, gross domestic product
- 2000s BestsellersHarry Potter, Twilight, The Da Vinci Code, The Kite Runner, Life of Pi
- Public RadioNPR, pledge drive, Radiolab, driveway moment, tote bag
freak, freaks, freaky, freakish, freakishly, economics, economic, economical, economically