Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Linear Regression


Some Topics Covered in Class

"We're all going to be obese by the year 2048" --  Is a Wall-E world on the horizon?

Check out this New Scientist Article -- Logical Armour: A Primer in Mathematical Self-Defense for an additional info on Ellenberg's idea about the obesity epidemic.

For a more mathematical take on linear regression try Using Linear Regression (For Dummies)

  • Correlation Vs. Causation

Correlation and causality: Understanding why correlation does not imply causality (even though many in the press and some researchers often imply otherwise)



Funny Graphs -- Correlation does NOT equal Causation
10 Correlations that are Not Causations -- How Stuff Works






  • Thoughts from Freakonomics Chapter 5, What Makes A Perfect Parent




Freakonomics Study Guide PDF *Please make sure, as a parent, you feel comfortable discussing these topics with your student.  Freakonomics is thought provoking and may be offensive at times.


  • Dangers of Guns and Pools
Marketing and Fear Mongering

     OpEd Piece
   The Guardian Article, "SUVs, handwash and FOMO: how the advertising industry embraced fear"


  • Babette's Feast

Incentives -- Babette's were unique and not based on the traditional Economic thought

If you choose, write an essay describing the Economic themes in Babette's Feast.  Think about concepts of incentive, returns, investment, and loss.  How is this a view of grace?


  • Game of Life
Choices and Consequences
Chance


Definition 

"'Economy is making the most out of life.'  Economics is the study of how we do that........  Economics starts with one very important assumption: Individuals act to make themselves as well off as possible.  To use the jargon of the profession, individuals seek to maximize their own utility, which is a similar concept to happiness, only broader."  Wheelan in Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science


Assignments

We'll keep working this definition next week. 

PLEASE make sure to have your decade essay ready.  Tomorrow I will post another entry about how to apply your "chance" life events in the Game.  Remember the object of the game is not to WIN or BEAT someone else, but to develop your personal Economic Philosophy and understanding.  

Also, look for real-life examples of fear mongering and economic fallout.  This could be in public policy or in advertising/marketing -- it could even be in the comics.  

Read One of the following:
The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway
The Facts in the Case of the Great Beef Contract by Twain









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