Discover Your Inner Economist

By: Tyler Cowen

Narrated by: David Drummond

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

In Discover Your Inner Economist, one of America's most respected economists presents a quirky, incisive romp through everyday life that reveals how you can turn economic reasoning to your advantage - often when you least expect it to be relevant.

Like no other economist, Tyler Cowen shows how economic notions, such as incentives, signals, and markets, apply far more widely than merely to the decisions of social planners, governments, and big business. What does economic theory say about ordering from a menu? Or attracting the right mate? Or controlling people who talk too much in meetings? Or dealing with your dentist? With a wryly amusing voice, in such chapters as "How to Control the World: The Basics" and "How to Control the World: Knowing When to Stop", Cowen reveals the hidden economic patterns behind everyday situations so you can get more of what you really want.

Listeners will also gain less selfish insights into how to be a good partner, neighbor, and even citizen of the world. For instance, what is the best way to give to charity? The chapter entitled "How to Save the World: More Christmas Presents Won't Help" makes a point that is every bit as personal as it is global.

Incentives are at the core of an economic approach to the world, but they don't just come in cash. In fact, money can be a disincentive. Cowen shows why, for example, it doesn't work to pay your kids to do the dishes. Other kinds of incentives, like making sure family members know they will be admired if they respect you, can work.

Discover Your Inner Economist is an introduction to the science of economics that shows it to be built on notions that are already within all of us. While the implications of those ideas lead to Cowen's often counterintuitive advice, their wisdom is presented in ordinary examples taken from home life, work life, and even vacation life. (How, for example, do you get a good guide in a Moroccan bazaar?)

©2007 Tyler Cowen (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"[A] charming guide on how 'to get more of the good stuff in life'....It's a pleasure to accompany [Cowen] through his various interests and obsessions." ( Publishers Weekly)
"If you like Tyler Cowen's writing on the best economics blog in the universe, you will love this book....His creativity is a gift." (Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, authors of Freakonomics)

A horrible waste of time

Probably one of the worst books I've ever read. This book is not about economics. Rather, it is the random musings of a guy who puts himself forth as an expert on just about everything, but offers almost nothing that has any basis in fact. He offers suggestions about finding good ethnic food, visiting art museums, and explains that it rarely makes sense to read a book all the way through. Gee, I really wish I had followed his advice on that last one...

The book is so ridiculously bad that I actually laughed out loud in some places. I gave it every chance to get better, but to no avail. This book REALLY sucks. really. I mean it. It does. Royally.

Don't waste your time or money

The book is often incoherent and even where it's not it has nothing of value to say.

Economics?

Economics? Well a little, but more about lifestyle than anything else. I listened to it all, but only because I was driving and it (barely) beat the radio.

poor content bad narration

I learned nothing that this book promised.
It consisted of useless examples that explained nothing. Its all over the place lacking any focus.
The audio production is of a lesser quality of the Audible standard.

Good food recommendations!

What did you love best about Discover Your Inner Economist?

Interesting things to look for in your daily journey through life. If you want the most out of life, where to go to get it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Discover Your Inner Economist?

All the delicious foods!

Not worth your time or money

As others have said this book is basically the random opinions of a middle aged man that fancies himself an expert on just about everything.

Very interesting, Don't Listen to The Bad Reviews

What made the experience of listening to Discover Your Inner Economist the most enjoyable?

The problem with the bad reviews of this book is they are just taking out the specific examples that this book gives of how to turn

If you could give Discover Your Inner Economist a new subtitle, what would it be?

Applying Economics to Everyday Situations.