Nice People Thread Number 11 - A Treasury of Nice People

vivatifosi

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

I thought those of you doing the course in Behavioural Economics might be interested in this article on the FT website.

Thanks maggie, interesting article. Interesting that it mentions Nudge. I found that a very interesting book, though only managed the first couple of chapters before it had to be sent back for a reservation (one of the downsides of library books).

It is interesting that they've used organ donation as it shows the differences within behavioural economics.

The papers cited by Ariely show that if you have an opt out system for organ donation that take up rates are much higher than for opt in. Partially this is because 'do nothing' is the default option. It is also because people who opt out have to struggle with being totally heartless (no pun intended).

The experiment cited in the paper relates to opt in. Having read (a bit of) Nudge, this is very much Nudge territory. However if Britain really wanted to they could switch to an opt out system and get the numbers up overnight.

It is interesting that the backlash has started against behavioural economics, but surely it is just another tool in the toolkit. If there are economics problems that have been bashed out time after time after time using conventional tools and that have not been answered, then clearly they need to be analysed under a different lens.

michaels

Ours get the two weeks before Easter, the Monday BH and and Inset day on the Tuesday.

Not being one to burst G's bubble but in this house we will be hoping (admittedly without too much conviction as with nothing to play for they quite often don't turn up these days) the Super Saints can further dent Spurs European hopes this afternoon....

michaels

Interesting comments on Apple as I had come to the same conclusion a few days ago, specifically the Nokia comparison, what is their usp these days? Then again I have never been an apple fan boi but my life is not about paying £500 for a small piece of plastic with a symbol of a bitten apple on it and perhaps Apple will continue to sell the same products as everyone else at a huge price premium just because of better branding/marketing?

It is almost like the nudge stuff, which I do believe can work but I don't think is the 'free lunch' some right wing policy makers seem to see it as, i.e. a chance to change market outcomes without state intervention, as although it may not be new laws it is still state intervention imho.

vivatifosi

Anyone watched Week 2's Office Hours (Dan Ariely course)?

Very interesting point about the cost of running the course on line and the fact that they are giving it for free. Won't say anything else, academic equivalent of spoiler alert...

zagubov

vivatifosi wrote: »

Thanks maggie, interesting article. Interesting that it mentions Nudge. I found that a very interesting book, though only managed the first couple of chapters before it had to be sent back for a reservation (one of the downsides of library books).

It is interesting that they've used organ donation as it shows the differences within behavioural economics.

The papers cited by Ariely show that if you have an opt out system for organ donation that take up rates are much higher than for opt in. Partially this is because 'do nothing' is the default option. It is also because people who opt out have to struggle with being totally heartless (no pun intended).

The experiment cited in the paper relates to opt in. Having read (a bit of) Nudge, this is very much Nudge territory. However if Britain really wanted to they could switch to an opt out system and get the numbers up overnight.

It is interesting that the backlash has started against behavioural economics, but surely it is just another tool in the toolkit. If there are economics problems that have been bashed out time after time after time using conventional tools and that have not been answered, then clearly they need to be analysed under a different lens.

I felt outsmarted by my supermarket loyalty/ credit card last night. Was planning to put about £20 of petrol in to get me to the end of the month. But as the card was being read the pump flashed a message that my loyalty vouchers could give me 2p off if I used it today. I couldn't recall how long the 2p discount was good for (and I thought I needed to physically find that voucher and bring it with me) and was worried they'd expire soon.

I click yes, and filled the tank to the brim with discounted petrol. Felt the loyalty scheme was very much two steps ahead of me.

vivatifosi

Just watched the Aussie Captain of the P3 search plane that's landed back at Perth. He was saying that because of the conditions and low cloud base, they were having to fly at 300ft but still didn't see anything.

Wanted to say how brave and skillful these pilots are. I have every faith that if there is anything there, the Aussie co-ordinated efforts will do their utmost to find it.

GDB2222

vivatifosi wrote: »

Same here. I'm also taking notes, so occasionally even use the pause button. I think I would need to learn shorthand to watch a sped up Dan.

I'm watching the videos at double-speed, then making the notes at the end. It works for me.

There are notes on the wiki by the way, but I know making your own notes is a good way of remembering stuff.

GDB2222

vivatifosi wrote: »

Anyone watched Week 2's Office Hours (Dan Ariely course)?

Very interesting point about the cost of running the course on line and the fact that they are giving it for free. Won't say anything else, academic equivalent of spoiler alert...

I bought Dan's ebooks for £9. There are 50,000 people signed up for the course. If 20% buy the books, that's £90k of sales. What %age royalties does he get on ebooks?

Generali

GDB2222 wrote: »

I bought Dan's ebooks for £9. There are 50,000 people signed up for the course. If 20% buy the books, that's £90k of sales. What %age royalties does he get on ebooks?

A quid or 2 a book I would guess.

lemonjelly

Doozergirl wrote: »

I just checked the Week Ahead for DS's school in the vain hope that this week's is still up. It's not, but I discovered he breaks up for Easter on Friday 28th. I knew when he went back (23rd) but was confused as another parent has already asked me to collect their son, I thought on the 8th April.

DD doesn't finish until the 11th. She goes back on 29th April, meaning I have at least one child at home for 31 days on the trot!

Are you sure about that? Good Friday is the 18th April, & Bank Holiday Monday is the 21st April isn't it? Will DS be in school on bank holiday days?
Our students return on 28 April.

vivatifosi wrote: »

Anyone watched Week 2's Office Hours (Dan Ariely course)?

Very interesting point about the cost of running the course on line and the fact that they are giving it for free. Won't say anything else, academic equivalent of spoiler alert...

Not yet. I've just finished week 2 (struggled a little with the quiz - had to take in 5 times I think).