Freakonomics

I read this fantastic book the other day: Freakonomics by Stephen Levitt. He offers some excellent perspectives on strange statistics. The most interesting thing about the book is the challenge to conventional wisdom that it poses. I have also long wondered why some people believe the things they do. Levitt describes how the Ku Klux Klan was ultimately rendered impotent. No amount of public education or political posturing worked, so a man infiltrated the organization and became a member. After learning all the (infantile) machinations and rituals of the Klan, he exposed them to children as Superman's enemy. Soon members of the venerated Klan saw their children wearing sheets and calling each other exhalted wizard. The kids knew all the nomenclature of the supposedly clandestine society right down to the secret handshake. Most of the grownups then took stock of how ludicrous the whole thing was and evidently grew up. Levitt applies his new approach from topics as diverse as sumo wrestling to being a good parent. A thrilling read, I would recommend it to anyone.