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My beta test is delayed

DarthClem

Shared on Tue, 09/18/2007 - 08:45

By now, I was supposed to be "beta testing" Mark Kistler's drawing book for adults by now, which will be published next year (and, Mark says, may contain some of my drawings as examples).  I got an email from Mark saying that he's moving into a new office and getting organized and that I'll begin getting my lessons in early October.  I have a few more drawings that I've done that I'll post between now and then, but I won't be keeping up with my one per day pace.

On a different note, has anyone here read the book Freakonomics?  I do a lot of statistical analysis in my line of work, looking for root causes behind behavior, so I found it pretty interesting how they applied tools like regression analysis to look at crime rates -- or how real estate agents and the KKK operate using similar principles -- or how a typical crack-dealing operation is set up.  I'm not sure that a "normal" human being would find it quite as interesting though...

Comments

ImaginaryEngr76's picture
Submitted by ImaginaryEngr76 on Tue, 09/18/2007 - 08:57
I really enjoyed Freakanomics, it takes ordinarily dry subject matter and makes then interesting. I particularly liked the chapter on the economics of drug dealing and the chapter about how "good" parenting does (and does not) affect how well children do in school. There was also a chapter in the book about how the whole Roe Vs Wade decision impacted crime rate - whether or not you believe what the author says, it is interesting. The book is really an accessible and entertaining read. But then again, I'm a stat hound also, so it may just be part of my personality.
J-Cat's picture
Submitted by J-Cat on Tue, 09/18/2007 - 09:13
I loved the book, the whole thing was great cover to cover. If you like this, you may also try "Blink" an d"The Tipping Point" forget the guy's name, but he wrote both of these (but not Freakanomics)
MikeTheKnife's picture
Submitted by MikeTheKnife on Tue, 09/18/2007 - 09:35
I read Freakonomics last year and really enjoyed it. Some of the stories seemed more anecdotal than real-life--I remember the one about the guys named loser and winner or something like that, seemed too perfect to be true. But the guy's observations are great.
English_C6H6's picture
Submitted by English_C6H6 on Tue, 09/18/2007 - 09:36
Loved it. Should be required reading before any beginning stats class (I read it right after my upper level stats class). I think that while data like these can be manipulated, we need more analysis like this to cut through the liberal vs. conservative bullcrap that dominates so much of the political coverage nowadays.

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