Freakonomics Part 2

Two hundred seven pages later, and Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt (an economist) and Stephen J. Dubner (a writer) has not disappointed. Throughout the book, the two authors touched on topics and attempted to ask questions that never seemed to be on anyone's mind before. Yet, these are interesting, freaky and by the end of the explanation, thought-provoking questions that would keep anyone entertained. Levitt and Dubner question the motives of seemingly innocent--or not so innocent--civilians in our society. Teachers, sumo-wrestlers, drug dealers, day-care centers, real-estate agents. These are just some of the groups of people mentioned in this economic-based, yet fun read. As I said in the last post, there is a hidden side to everything. Freakonomics unveils the stunning facts behind a thick curtain of ignorance and narrow-mindedness. Some people wouldn't normally dare to read a book about economics, but this is not an ordinary economics book (not that I have ever read one). By demonstrating the relationship between economics and real-life examples (albeit, a little odd), Levitt and Dubner can pretty much capture the attention of just about anyone. Another plus of this book is the humorous anecdotes and witty one-liners included. After reading this thouroughly enjoyable book, maybe I'll read Super Freakonomics also by Levitt and Dubner. One thing is for sure, this is one read I won't forget easily.

Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

Not everything is as it seems. Freakonomics teaches this from the get-go by revealing what would otherwise be a plain green apple to be an orange inside. The mission of Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner is simple: to reveal the root of economics. Economics excluding the boring numbers and graphs. Levitt and Dubner explore the hidden side of everything, and they promise that this book "will literally redefine the way we view the modern world".

By asking the questions that no one else would think of and that no one would think to apply to economics, Levitt and Dubner have kept me entertained. The stories are funny and I have actually been learning a lot through this book. There are six parts and each poses a freaky question (What Do Schoolteachers and Sumo Wrestlers in Common?; How is the Ku Klux Klan Like a Group of Real-Estate Agents?; Why Do Drug Dealers Still Live with Their Moms?). So far, the book hasn't lost a beat. I have thouroughly enjoyed the comical qualities of the writers as well as their keen ability to stick a little learning in there. The blurb has left a lot to look for and so far, it has satisfied. The blurb says,

"...despite a surfeit of obfuscation, complication, and downright deceit, [the modern world] is not impenetrable, is not unknowable, and--if the right questions are asked--is even more intriguing than we think."

It's Kind of a Funny Story Part 4

As I finally reached the final page of It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini, I was left with a good last impression: the feeling that there is hope out there and to enjoy the little things that you are able to do in life. I learned that the author himself spent five days in adult psychiatric--exactly like Craig. The whole book, however, seemed to lag at some points for me. I began to get bored with the book once he was checked into the hospital. It just wasn't that captivating to me, and I almost wanted to drop it. As the book went on, it got better. I think it was the last 1/4 of the book that was the most interesting. Craig finally found something that he had always been lacking: happiness. All his life, he tried to get to the next thing by studying and studying. There was never any time for him to enjoy just living and being. Instead, his one goal was to get into one of the best high schools. Once he accomplished that, it was all down-hill. His five-day experience at the adult psychiatric ward was more rewarding of an experience than his time at Executive Pre-Professional High School in Manhattan. It was at this psychiatric ward that he found his real niche: art. I think that this book taught a lot about life. You have to do what makes you happy. Don't just do something for the prestige or the recognition. Just live for yourself because that's all that's worth doing. I think that once this book got to the point, it was very good. Here are the last few lines of the book that sum it all up:

"Take these verbs and enjoy them. They're yours, Craig. You deserve them because you chose them. You could have left them all behind but you chose to stay here. So now live for real, Craig. Live. Live. Live. Live. Live." (444)

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini Part 3

Now that Craig is in the hospital, he has to learn the ways of the hospital. The hospital, he finds, is just like any other institution in life--you have to roll with the right people to get what you want. Right away, Craig finds himself in a good position, but by the end of the day, he realizes that this place is not so ordinary. He introduced to the various crazy and mysterious characters that occupy the place, and for once, he is not so average. I found that the craziness of the new characters and the place in general was a bit overwhelming at first. I didn't really understand what was going on at one point. It was only until later that I understood what had happened before. Overall, the book is going well, but not so interesting to me. There are some profound quotes I see that I really understand and feel for, but other times, the situation is just not all that relatable. I found this one passage very profound, though:

"Dad nods, looks me dead in the eyes; slowly and regretfully, he banishes all the smiling and joking from his face, and for once he's just my dad, watching his son who has fallen so low."

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini Part 2

Since my last post, I've made a lot of progress in the book. Although I'm still enjoying it very much, It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini is yet to impress. I've learned more about Craig Gilner since last post. He still strives for simplicity and uses odd terminology, but now, I know that ever since he got into Executive Pre-Professional High School, he's been depressed. He's depressed because he's just average in this ultra-smart school. He had always believed that he was some sort of genius, but now he realizes it's only because he's worked so hard. Some people, like his pot-smoking best friend Aaron, don't have to do anything to do well. Craig is in such a bad state as of late that he plans to commit suicide by jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge. On "the day", he decides instead to call the suicide hotline and ends up checking himself into a hospital. That is when his journey begins.

I think that the plot is very intriguing and the characters even more so. I really feel for Craig, but I never believed for one second that he would actually kill himself or even try. He just likes to talk. His talks are very profound though, like this one:

"I'm going to do it tonight. This is such a farce, this whole thing. I thought I was better and I'm not better. I tried to get stable and I can't get stable. I tried to turn the corner and there aren't any corners; I can't eat; I can't sleep; I'm just wasting resources." (126).