reviews

It's not rocket science... Author:  Richard H. Thaler They had a terminal case of formula envy. From the earliest days of neoclassical economics in the first part of the 20th century, economists were obsessed with turning their field into a “hard” science like physics or astronomy.  Guided by a few straightforward premises and armed with a handful of fancy equations, economists convinced themselves that economic activities were thoroughly rational and predictable.  This belief gained widespread acceptance in various ivory towers and significantly influenced world leaders and governmental bureaucrats across the globe.  Unfortunately, in their obsessive efforts to create a rock [...]

Supreme injustice... Author:  Adam Cohen It was a mismatch of profoundly appalling proportions. In one corner was the esteemed 86 year-old Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., the most acclaimed Supreme Court justice in US history.  In the other corner – with no legal defense to speak of – was Carrie Buck, a poor, 20 year-old, single, unemployed, mother of one with a sixth grade education.  The contest played out in 1927, when Holmes wrote the 8-1 majority opinion that allowed the state of Virginia to surgically sterilize Ms. Buck without her consent, simply because she wasn’t intelligent enough. Forever known as [...]