Yes my book is out today (B&N here) but you don’t need to buy it. You can get it here for free.
How?
It is simple. Just write in the comments section some reason why you should get my book for free. I will mail free copies to the first fifteen commenters to meet the following conditions:
1. Your comment must offer a reason why you should get the book for free.
2. You must explain that reason in a moderately-sized paragraph or more. "Just cuz" does not qualify.
3. Your paragraph must address why you should get the book and why you should get it for free.
4. You must believe your reason.
Then email me with your mailing address (to my normal gmu email, and so I know you are you please put your real name on your posted reason as well) and I will send you a copy, through Amazon, at my own expense. You know, at first I thought I would get the publisher to put up copies for this but then I realized no, I ought to be paying for the books myself. I’m not even using an author’s discount.
I wish I were a wealthier man, but I am offering only fifteen copies right now. Any future copies will be offered abroad, not in the U.S.
I am very interested in the idea of what it means to have a reason.
Sadly, no matter how good your reason, I cannot send more than one copy to you.
Addendum: This offer is restricted to the United States and Canada. I am worried that the first copies to go out otherwise would end up in the hands of a single Nigerian spammer, plus Amazon does not ship worldwide. Nonetheless I hope to make a similar offer to the broader world in the future, with appropriate safeguards.
Second addendum: The first fifteen slots have now been awarded…
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Sorry about this post– just correcting the spelling of my name on the previous one. Thanks!
I saw you at the 18th Street Lounge but refrained from talking to you (even though I had some burning questions), because I was sure that you had more important people to meet that night. Perhaps you made an important contact (a journalist, perchance?) at the party, in which case you owe me for the time I freed up for you. I need the book to answer the questions I refrained from asking you in person.
Hey Tyler,
Before I explain, I have to admit one thing: I am new to your blog, and ended up finding it because I was trying to find an excuse on why not to study for the GRE! Anyways, I am entering my fourth year in my undergraduate study of Economics and Philosophy, and the material that I have read written by you has convinced me to pursue an interest in Organizations and Management in the future.
So much of what I have learned in Economics at university seems outdated: some of my professors still hail traditional economic theories as if still lived in the days of the Chicago revolution led by Milton Friedman without presenting new ones. The reality is that we do NOT have a perfect system, and your views and ideas have hinted many reasons why there are some flaws.
At the same time, economics, like never before, is becoming accessible to everyone, and not just those that study the discipline. Stephen Levitt perhaps made it more accessible than ever before to the masses with his acclaimed “Freakonomics”, but your book does something different: while his explained phenomena, yours, does something else: it shows how each of us, even without knowing it, can act in a way that meets those ideas of an economist.
Lastly, you may be wondering why a university student like me who pays $1000 for textbooks should get your book for free. It’s a hard question to answer, but simply put, I want to read it as soon as I possibly can. And why don’t I just buy the book if that was the case? Because I love shopping for bargains, and getting a book for free is the ultimate one (you can call it an accretion of positive utility if you wish)!
And don’t worry, if you do send me the book, I’ll be sure to share to others about the ideas you express after I am done with it (or if you prefer, tell them to buy a copy for themselves).
Back to studying…
Thanks a lot,
Samir Nurmohamed
Ich werde den deutschen Markt für das Buch erschließen.
Hi Tyler,
You should give me this book for free because, it may end up changing the world for the better. And a better world is better for you and for your progeny, ain’t it?
Let me explain why I think giving it to me will change the world and why I am not another pompous bstrd or a troll spammer.
I am an ‘economics is the most important science’ guy. – have always been. My degree is in computer science but it has been economics who has been my muse. Because I believe understanding her, using her principles and seducing her smartly is what smart living is all about.
You know, the added advantage is that I am a techie. And I am 25 – (relatively) young. Maybe if this book is good enough it will enable me to understand the existance of an unsatisfied niche and satisfy it? You could enable me to make the next craigslist or wikipedia by giving me this book – both, I argue socioeconomic successes rather than techical ones. Hence make the world better and make your life better.
And know what – the last two books I have read are The Box by Marc Levinson (find my blog post about that here) and the The Undercover Economist by Tim Hartford…So most probably I will buy your book — some years down the line. Which means I will surely read it and spread its idea if you give it to me for free – unlike many in the other 14 you will give it to. You can have your ideas spread quicker if you give it free to me now…. (and sell more of your books of course).
Your choice.
Let me know where you want my US shipping address mailed.
Regards,
Jay
http://thinkndmuse.blogspot.com
I should get the book for free, because otherwise I’m just going to read this at the library, and no adult should have to go to a library when there’s an opportunity for a free book at hand.
Also, I am an avid Economist who reads the Freakonomics blog and has read Freedomnomics and am looking to enhance my economic viewpoints.
You should send me your book because that’s the only way that I read it. I would not otherwise buy it because:
1) I have bought too many books lately.
2) I’ve read Levit and Landsburg books and am not into smartonomics that much anymore.
3) I read MR several times a day, your NYT and other occasional columns and guest blogger posts, and I’ve read a good deal of Creative Destruction — so my marginal utility of your extra piece of writing is not that big, I would say it’s less that $17.13.
You should give me a copy of the book because, as a sociologist, I’m highly skeptical about economists and economics.
Me again. Have sent you my mailing address. (Apologies for not seeing what you had said reg the address in ur post.)
And the link – http://thinkndmuse.blogspot.com/2007/07/it-was-not-it.html
I believe you should give me a copy of this book because you cannot count to 15. If you could count to 15, you’d have given away 15 books by now. I don’t know much about economics beyond my blog reading and micro- and macro- economics textbooks. All of that reading presumes that I am able to count however. So my reason is predicated on you not having written the chapter on how to count to 15.
Here is an economic justification of why you should send me a free copy of your book, based on the four criteria you outlined in your post:
1. The economic justification for a subsidy (such as a free book) is the market failure of a positive externality. If the marginal social benefit of my possession of the book is larger than the marginal private benefit of my possession of the book, I will under-invest in purchasing it, and the book will therefore not be purchased at a socially optimal quantity. The marginal social benefit of my possession of the book is larger than the marginal private benefit of my possession, because there are spillover benefits (assuming reading the book is beneficial) to other people if I read it. I can discuss it with my family and friends and teach others about its conclusions, so they will benefit from my possession of the book. I can conclusively state that I will not purchase the book at the listed price, although I would read it and discuss it with others if it were provided to me for free. Clearly, therefore, without subsidizing my possession of the book, the book will not be supplied at a socially optimal level, because the spillover benefits from my reading it to other people will not be realized without a subsidy. This argument justifies you subsidizing the book, not necessarily providing it for free. However, since the conditions you stated in your post do not outline partially defraying the cost of the book with a subsidy, the only possible subsidy according to your terms is to provide me with the book for free. Because my possession of the book generates positive externalities, you should subsidize my possession of it, and since the only subsidy possible is providing it to me for free, you should provide me with the book for free.
2. I believe that the argument above sufficiently establishes the reasons I should be provided the book for free.
3. I should get the book because it will beneficially enhance my knowledge of economics and its place in social relationships and other areas of application (there is a high marginal private benefit to me of getting the book) and I should get it for free because of the argument provided above (the marginal social benefit of my possession of the book is larger than the marginal private benefit, so the book should be subsidized to correct this positive externality, and since the only subsidy possible is the provision of a free book, I believe the book should be provided to me for free).
4. I fully believe in the reasons given above, and they are based on honest representations about myself and the best economic arguments I can make.
Super Awesome Mr. Cowen,
Beyond a tiny spider doubt, I deserve your book, free. This book will save me from eternal damnation. Mr. Brent (above me) doesn’t know the concept of torture I endure daily and currently (I’m in accounting class right now). With my torn shoes I work my dismal, plebian job in hopes that one day I might rise above the others with an Economics Degree. You’re book will give me the inspiration and hope I need to get through the next two excruiciatingly painful years of my life.
Anyhow, I must get going my accounting professor is starting to give me the shady eye as though I’m not using my computer to type notes. Anyway, if nothing else good luck on the book sales. If this message registers as creepy, send all complaints to the Business College at Creighton University and tell them how their psychotic teaching methods and excessive pressure are driving students off the deep end.
-Andy
I think that I should be the recipient of the free text for two reasons. First, I have been loyally promoting your book on my blog. Second, I seem to be the only person who realizes that the book really isn’t free. I had to take the time to read 122 comments prior to writing this to ensure that I had a legitimate reason to beg for the “free” book.
I should get your book free because the price of $0 is the exact value I place upon yours and most every other book. I value the information contained therein, but the medium of books is not an efficient means of conveying information any longer, rather it is merely an outdated money-making method for the author and the publisher. If an author really cared about getting information in the hands of others, the author could simply post it on the internet for all to digest as desired. Why don’t you do that, Tyler? Will your publisher not allow it? The purchase of books is for suckers, or for those that mindlessly though benevolently want to enrich authors and publishers.
I look forward to receiving the book.
I’d give one to Ragout in your shoes, despite possibly his/her failure to fully follow instructions.
Can’t say I read them all, but it seems like some people should offer to, when done (and promptly):
1. leave it on a bookseller’s shelf
2. forward it to #16 on the list
Precisely because I am in neither the US nor Canada is why I should indeed get a free copy of the book. For there are very few reviewers of economics books in the UK press and I’m one of them (I did the Telegraph reviews of both Tim Harford’s and Bryan Caplan’s, as examples). There is thus a chance (but, alas, only a chance) that my possessing a copy will lead to a review, worth consiberably more than the $17 it will cost you (not including shipping).
However, exactly the same facts can be used to argue that I should not get one of your 15 copies: they are probably sufficiently persuasive that your publisher will send me a copy at no cost to you: when is is apprised of said facts, of course.
Please do not send me a free book.
Plenty of more deserving folks elsewhere on this list. Also, I would feel better paying you for the benefit of getting to read your book instead of taking money out of your pocket in that transaction.
I should get your book for free because,
Interest in your work, so I would read it:
I have exposed your writing to a set of people (African readers) who wouldn’t have known anything about your book, your blog or your writing. I named your blog as my favorite Econ. blog 3 days ago here (http://altnigeria.com/?p=146). I also have over 10 backlinks to your blog.
I am broke:
Since I am African you would probably be contributing to the ongoing efforts to ‘save’ my continent from ‘itself’. If you do not give me your book I will probably get it for free anyway. If you give me a free book I would have a hard copy, which will be hard to email to my friends.
O. Omodudu.
125 comments already? I guess I’ll ask the local library to get it and I can read it for “free”.
I think I’m ready to make big changes in my life – to approach tasks and people differently, to be more open and direct, and to not run away from any step that might accidentally lead me to success or change.
I think that discovering my inner economist might just be what I’ve needed all along.
I think that taking the time to write this comment and ask you to not just send this book to me, but send it to me for free is actually a step towards my over-all goal of going after what I want and keeping my own self-interest in mind, even if I have to experience failure along the way.
Thank you for the opportunity to challenge myself. I feel braver and more direct already. I’m sure your book could provide more strategems to success, other than asking authors for free stuff after reading about a giveaway on Freakanomics.
I’m starting MBA school at the end of August. In my prior life I was a screenwriter in Hollywood, meaning I have no quant skills and having read “Freakonomics” is the extent of my economics background. Plain and simple, I need all the help I can get. I find your blog to be educational as well as immensely entertaining. A free copy of your book could help to lay a better foundation of understanding and spark more interest and enthusiasm on my part before the tidal wave of accounting, statistics and economics hits me in September. Getting it free would really help me out because MBA school is about to send me spiraling into debt. (Very ironic when you think about it.)
I will scan your free copy and distribute it in India, reaching the kind of intelligent customers who can only afford pirated Microsoft CDs, thereby ensuring relatively optimal price discrimination. I promise to share the proceeds from my sales with you. It must be free to offset the opportunity cost (partly through monetary incentives, mainly through signaling) of my spending time in scanning all those pages.
Don’t send me the book for free. Although I have a blog that is occasionally read by people other than my close relatives I’d be unlikely to get my act together enough to post a review. And even if I did post a review, while I have no doubt that your book would be full of arguments I cannot refute, things I didn’t know, and have all kinds of other admirable qualities, I’d probably just compare it to Blockbusters and Trade Wars, which I really liked. And despite being a regular reader of MR I disagree with you on almost everything but can’t articulate why, so this extended version would just raise my blood pressure. It would probably be a good thing for me to read – open my eyes to new ideas and all that – but basically I’d rather just stay with my comfortable prejudice. And if I really wanted to read it I’m perfectly able to afford to buy it for myself. So there’s no good reason to send me the book for free….Unless you see yourself as some kind of contrarian that is.
I should first start off by saying that I am neither an American nor a Canadian. I am a Sri Lankan. So although I know I can’t be considered, I would like to share my own reasons as to why I want/need this book and why I should have it for free.
I am become increasingly fascinated by the new branch of Economics, namely, Behavioral Economics. Needless to say, since I belong to a third-world country, neither have I heard that such a field exists nor is it a course taught in any of the local universities. As I presume this book covers quite a lot of Behavioral Economic theory/facts, I believe access to this book will help introduce this field to economists and students in Sri Lanka (SL).
SL is a unique country where behavior among people is so often very irrational that I believe a book like this, even if not addressing the problem specifically, can open the eyes of politicians, economists and policy makers to think up new ways to solve many of the country’s economic, political and ideological issues. Bare with me, as I wish to highlight a few of them to make my case as to why a country like Sri Lanka needs your book.
1) SL has suffered from an ethnic conflict for the past 25 years and – even if a peaceful solution is reached – there will remain the deep-rooted racist ideology and thinking. This affects our everyway life – albeit to a lesser extent that 20 years ago – in terms of job opportunities, immigration (brain-drain), marriage and even views on education. A book like this could open our eyes to broader issues in Behavioral Economics – and could indirectly help in solving a plethora of social problems in our country.
2) Our politicians are corrupt to the core – the economic incentives to stay in power far overpower moral and social ones – and there is no way of reducing it, until we UNDERSTAND it – and what better way than through a book so easily readable by the general (but English speaking )public.
3) There is no denying the fact that we are an intelligent population. Education is seen as paramount (to those who can afford it) to a successful life. A book like this can introduce us to the more interesting side of Economics – and even possibly lead to a possible unit in Behavioral Economics taught at local universities. You may think I am exaggerating – but I am an idealist – and without such thinking, how can any country rise from the ground?
I will now address why I believe I need this book for free: I am a recent graduate in Economics and am unemployed. While I hope to get a job in the near future – my savings are near nil. Further, since I live in the poorer part of the world with a continually depreciating exchange rate, a book like this is very expensive in rupee terms. It is unlikely anyone will bother buying a book like this, even if it was available, as being a thrifty nation, we would compare the cost to the price of other more ‘real’ Economics books and would conclude (or our parents would) that it would be much more ECONOMIC to spend the money on another more ‘theoretical’ (A.K.A boring) economics book.
So I guess what I’m trying to say in short, that why I need this book, and why I need it for free, is that I (or the people who will buy it for me) lack the INCENTIVE to buy a book like this even if it were made available to a country like mine. Hence since the OPPORTUNITY COST of buying this book = ($ 30 (the book price) x 112 (Exchange rate of Rs/$) = Rs 3360 + Sri Lankan sentiment for buying this book against another more “suitable” read (which unfortunately cannot be accurately measured in monetary terms), I think the cost of buying this book is pretty high.
This, I conclude, is my humble argument for needing this book – and needing it for free. Thank you.
Nirmali Sivapragasam (Age 21)
P.S. I congratulate you on using your knowledge on INCENTIVES, the main subject area in your book, to good use! What better way to explore incentives of people – than through the process of requesting a free copy of this very book! It has indeed worked… because now I REALLY want it!
free is nice, sadly (fortunately?) the opportunity costs don’t support a well constructed response.
I should get the book for free because it is in both of our interests. If I get the book for free I will feel obligated to read it. I probably will feel good about reading it because I enjoy economics and feel I should learn more about it (didn’t get my fill getting a Bach. in the subject). It is in your interest because I will probably write about some of your better ideas in the comments section of various other blogs. I will, of course, give you full credit which will result in either more book sales for you or at least greater name recognition. However I will not buy your book no matter what because, well I’m kind of cheap I suppose. So by giving me a free book you’re not costing yourself a sale!
There’s no such thing as a free book.
However if your book demonstrates otherwise, you should send me a copy and I’ll write about it everywhere online granting you effective immortality as the man who proved Milton Friedman wrong.
We all know that no lunch is free.
And neither’s your new book, TC.
The price that you’ve set,
That you hope to get,
Is a moment’s amusement, or three.
Just by making your offer, you’ve won
Blogosphere links by the ton.
For readers to claim
We’ll get you more fame
By spreading the word? No, ‘tis done.
To be read is a writer’s great need;
If you send it, I promise I’ll read.
I _can_ keep this vow,
For I read your blog now,
And look forward to doing the deed.
As for your other great thirst,
Why “freely† I get to immerse?
As I’ve said, it’s not free.
So send it to me:
‘Tis my payment for writing this verse.
Yours cordially,
Barn-Yen Li
if some people don’t want a free copy, why are they wasting their breath? cowen isnt going to give a free book to people who say “dont give me a free book.”
My reason:
This book seems like the perfect start to get back into one of my favorite hobbies, discussing economics. Bonus: it is not a law book, per se. After 4 years billing hours at a law firm and going to Georgetown law school at night, then 2 months studying for the bar, I dont want to read another law book for a while.
I have said for years that the best way to change the world is to raise kids well, then wait 40 years. I believe that your book has the potential to help people find new ways of thinking about their environment, at least in the economic sense.
You should send me a copy of your book because I promise to distill at least 3 30-minute lessons for my daughter’s 3rd grade class, and I will send my notes to you along with my subjective analysis of how the kids received the information.
Asking for something of value for free is kind of a taboo among people of my generation, but let me give it a try… After I read this book I will pass it along to teachers who will incorporate the parts that interest them in their lessons and their lives. This will influence even more children to consider things in different ways, hopefully leading to a population that will contribute more and better things to their communities.
Wow, that sounds sappy. I’m not a “do it for the kids” activist, really. I just love seeing my daughter learn and put her new ideas into practice.
Thanks.
You should not send out any free book.
Very interesting time-consistency issue here. Your aim was to explore the idea of what it means to have a reason: 149 or so people responded, giving you plenty of material to work on. You got what you wanted: why should you now bear the cost of the information that you have already collected? Do you think you have a implicit contract that can somehow be enforced? Do you want to maintain your reputation with the readers? Do you hope the 135 or so readers who will not get the book for free will buy it? What’s your cost of repudiating the promise?
I’ll tell you what I’d like better: don’t send any free book, and spend the money on food and opera instead. Then you can write some posts on both topics. It would be ex-post optimal for you, and definitely optimal for me, since I lack any compelling reason to claim a free book.
You should give the book to me for free because I sit at the end of a very busy row in a very busy firm. I will put the book in a place where it is visible when I am not reading it.
I should get your book because the little roller on one of the legs of the table where I put my orchids fell off and now the table is lop-sided. From the looks of your book it is just the right thickness to solve this problem.
I believe this book is tailored for a person like me as is this opportunity. The reason being that I currently have a girlfriend (FALL IN LOVE) whom I’ll be visiting (SURVIVE THE NEXT MEETING) for the first time in 2 months (we’re doing the long distance thing). She’s also going to dental (MOTIVATE YOUR DENTIST) school in a year. I’m living on a very tight budget since my inner economist said that morals were far more important to preserve than to sell-out to some pharmaceutical company if I were to eventually become a doctor. Therefore I live frugally and would like to make better judgements about my own livelyhood. I believe your book will most benefit a person like me. There must have been a reason you chose the subtitle you did. The appropriateness of the title of your book to my life should give you all the reason to send the book to my address.
I’m probably a bit late to jump on this ship, but it’s simple – I’m a New Zealand University student – the marginal utility a poor student at the bottom of the world would get from a new book is far superior to what any American would get!
You should not send me a book for free. I am free to work and to produce with my labor the means for acquiring property, which your book (although not the contents) are a clear manifestation of. You, however have the liberty to dispose of your property as you see fit. If that entails making a gift, so be it.
However, I have already pre-ordered a copy of said tome. I bundled my purchase with the purchase of Dr. Caplan’s text. But Amazon has made me wait for his book until I could get yours. So, if you choose to compensate me for the unanticipated delay experienced in acquiring GMU Economics output, so be it. The new book will land in the hands of NCSU’s outstanding Senior in Economics, Mr. Jeffery Horn, who earlier this year gave me a copy of Knowledge and The Wealth of Nations, which I am enjoying.
Sincerely,
Nathanael Snow
ndsnow@ncsu.edu
Tyler,
After I finish reading the free book, I will leave the book laying somewhere around Nashville (maybe a Honky Tonk or in the Parthenon underneath Athena). Inside, I’ll include a note for the next reader to pass on the book as well and to email you where they leave it. I will submit to any monitoring scheme you cook up.
The reason why should you give me the book for free is geographical: I live in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I noticed that one person has already stated that he/she lives in Brazil as a reason, but I will go one step further to prove why I deserve it more than him/her. If you have watched international News lately, you know about the Airbus crash in Sao Paulo. This accident wasn’t just shocking and tragic. As a consequence a lot of concerns have been raised regarding the security of the airport, and there is a huge delay in all flights. Therefore, in order to improve the time-utility of the whole population (I mean, I am part of the population, ain’t I?), I think I deserve to read a good book, and yours is part of my most-wanted-list. And finally, the book might be for free, but the shipment fee certainly won’t. The final total cost of the book will be somewhere around the same as for you guys in U.S., so you don’t have to worry about giving benefits to a stranger. Let’s just say you are making things fair.
I’m cheap. Coupling my cheapness with several recent financial setbacks results in very high unlikelihood that I’ll purchase your book. Consequently, giving me a book will not cause you or your publisher to lose a sale.
But cheapness is not my only quality. I’m also a thoughtful reader. So I will read your book. If I like it, I’ll recommend it to my friends, though to be perfectly honest, if my friends are interested, most likely they’ll ask to borrow my copy rather than buy one themselves.
Wow- would someone inform the graduate students about public libraries? Seriously people, log off and leave campus for a few hours. You’re investing/borrowing thousands of dollars in tuition/”living costs” and you can’t find money for a book? Gee, that explains why all the campus bars are completely vacant Thursday through Sunday nights. And why they charge such low, low prices.
A few observations:
It seems that in appealing to an economist/author that you would have to prove:
1) you WOULD RECEPTIVELY READ the book if you receive it,
2) BUT you wouldn’t be interested in buying the book at present (though later gift copies to everyone you know would be appealing).
3) You have an influential connection to some large social network that would also like the book if it only knew more about the book,
4) Poverty might be a bad claim as it reflects a lack of social connections and influence. And yes, that includes student poverty.
5) Blog fandom suggest that you just don’t want to buy the book, but probably will. That’s kind of hurtful, really. You’ll take the free blog insights, but when it comes time to reward someone you truly enjoy, you’re going to dodge the modest book fee.
Tyler,
I would want a free copy of your book as I am a math teacher at a high school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. By having a free copy of your book, not only could I read it in my spare time (as I’m off this month preparing for September!), but the knowledge that I would gain from it would be passed on to my students. You’d be like an honourary teacher in a foreign country!
You shouldn’t send me the book because there are more deserving people. I can afford to buy your book and just might do so.
I’ve been reading your blog on and off. Good stuff, makes me think your book could be one of the interesting ones to add to my Amazon wishlist. Best of luck w/ the book sales and the site!
P.S.: Good promotional idea. I was tempted to post why you should send me one (who wouldn’t be?) but really, the other people are far more deserving.
You should give me your book for free because my table wobbles, and “Discover Your Inner Economist” appears to be just the right thickness to remedy that problem. Then, while eating breakfast (and maybe even dinner), I could stare at the cover of your book as it stabilizes my table. I expect this will solve all of my financial woes just as Bill Murray used “Baby Steps” to cure himself in “What About Bob.” In fact, having only seen pictures of the book, and never even beheld its awesome power in my hands, I have already saved $0.60 by writing this post instead of going to get a soda. Imagine the benefits of having your book literally at my feet for at least one meal a day. Milton Friedman beware — my Inner Economist is about to be unleashed!!
I’m making an executive decision to begin voting here on who should receive a free book. I’d love to get a copy but it would wait unnecessarily in line behind some other books I need to get to. Therefore, I vote that Nirmali Sivapragasam should get a copy, as he has the most interesting story and could put it most to good use.
I should get a free copy of the book for at least two reasons:
First, unlike certain other supplicants in this space, I refuse to make self-serving declarations in order to receive a free copy of the book.
Second, I at least waited for a decent interval to pass before making any self-serving declarations in order to receive a free copy of the book.
Third, I have given at least two reasons I should receive a free copy of the book.
Yours truly,
“Q”
I should get a free copy of your book because:
- It will benefit you: as a member of a large book club I associate with a lot of people who would like to fall in love, survive their next meeting, and motivate their dentists. When it’s my turn to choose a book I will recommend yours. Oprah will get wind of it and you will be able to retire rich and famous.
- It will benefit me: I will have the pleasure of reading your book without the need to directly pay for it. I guess I’m paying an opportunity cost as I write this.
- It will result in a further positive-sum exchange: The club members will trade their dollars for something they perceive as having greater value. You (and well, your publisher, too) will trade your book for something you value more.
I should get it for free because:
Since you will have done me a favor, I will have incentive to reciprocate by recommending the book to my book club.
The reasons stated above are true and sincere because I believe economic incentives play a very significant role in peoples’ lives, whether they realize it or not. This is why I’m such a fan of your blog.
thanks…
thanks…
You should not send me your book because it is just cashing in on the Freakonomics phenomenon that is full of econ jargon, too clever observations by half, and I am sure Steve Sailer will come out and debunk a lot of the things you say followed by two up n coming grad students to back him up.
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