Predictably Irrational Reading

For some reason lately I have been reading a lot econ stuff. Which is funny because I did not read econ stuff when I took econ...Its funny there have been a proponederanceof books about a return to irrational markets. Justifiably so given the markets swings as people seek to explain and understand that. I ready predictably Irrational by Dan Arley and enjoyed it immensely. Dan's book reads a little more like a text book than something you might read in the Times Magazine, but that does not stop it from being a glass of fun juice.

Key Takeaways (a month after reading it):

• Its better not to ever charge the parents of children in daycare for picking up their children late. Guilt is a much more powerful motivator.
• Students, even ones at Harvard, cheat on exams.
• "Free" is a a powerful thing, even if people don't need the item. E.g. buying a $20 Amazon gift certificate for $7 is better than getting a $10 one for free.
• Make sure your potential brother-in-law is a deadbeat. it will give you much better chances with attractive mates.
• We overvalue what we have. I know this from trying to sell a lot of stuff after I sold my house.
• Options have values, except when you try to go back through open doors.

I strongly recommend this. As I think back about it, it makes me want to reread it and make sure I am not procrastinating anything.