Super Freakonomics

I picked up Levitt and Dubner's Super Freakonomics (2009) when I ran into a former student on a flight from Dayton to Washington Dulles International Airport. Brian, who works for the State Department of the U.S.A. and was on his way to Iraq to help with the stabilization efforts with the Iraqi government, was done with the book and gave it to me to read on my return to Qatar.

The book's propositions are straightforward - people are driven by practical and economic motivations rather than humanitarianism, altruism, or anything else. The authors also believe that many changes in history have been attributed to the wrong factors and, with this as a backdrop, they propose that there are easier ways to address current problems than we might think.

The authors dissect numerous specific cases of incorrect historical attribution. One case was the rise of gasoline-powered automobiles in the 20th century. In Levitt and Dubner's interpretation, Henry Ford and his mass production techniques were important but the real driver was that cities in the early 20th century were drowning in horse manure. Yes, they assert that the major motivation for the auto was to reverse the messiness and smelliness of horses and that the public disposal of manure (or lack thereof) had degraded the quality of life in urban areas to such intolerable levels that the auto was the only way out. Another example of reinterpreting history was the case of the Viennese doctor who was troubled by the high death rate among infants in the local hospitals. The presumed causes at the time the problem was prevalent (early 20th century) ranged from believing that infant deaths were the result of tight petticoats, foul air in delivery wards, or the presence of male doctors during childbirth. A young and aware doctor looked more carefully and found that infant deaths were lower among those women who gave birth with the assistance of a mid-wife than those who gave birth in the hospital. The stunning and simple answer was that doctors weren't washing their hands while mid-wives were. This simple conclusion, and the campaigns that came from it, began to save lives in Vienna and eventually around the world.

Both of these examples shake up prevailing beliefs. Freakonomics asserts that many of the causes for change in our society are different than we thought and some that we've attributed to complex dynamics are actually much simpler than we think.

The one example that demonstrated possible future inaccurate attribution as well as too complex a solution is global warming. I am a believer in the warnings we have about global warming and so are the authors. However, it has been perplexing to see the political and economic battles that dominate the conversations about the role of jet fuel and automobile exhaust as major contributors to the erosion of the atmosphere. Particularly as a resident of the oil/gas rich Arabian Gulf, it isn't to this area's advantage to reduce fuel consumption and the fact is, while western countries are attempting to do something, developing countries see using relatively cheap fossil fuel as their right, especially since the west birthed the largest economies in the world by broad and aggressive use of the same fuels. So, the point is, how could a strategy be discerned that doesn't overreact to the problem and doesn't penalize developing countries who may not be convinced of the importance of global warming or feel that the west needs to address its own issues before telling others what they should do?

Intellectual Ventures, an innovative California group that specializes in finding unlikely and effective solutions to problems, has an idea about how to address global warming. For a starter, they don't see the dire straights claimed by some. They say that one of the easiest solutions for global warming would be a couple of volcanoes spewing enough gas and ash into the atmosphere to reduce temperatures across the globe as a natural outcome. Intellectual Ventures further suggests that, if we aren't willing to wait for a volcano or two, another solution is to create a "garden hose to the sky" that naturally circulates heavy and light air that will correct the atmospheric problems at a fraction of the cost most people predict when they propose models of fuel reduction, alternative energies, and other strategies under popular debate.

I've struggled with posting thoughts on Freakonomics because I have been arguing with its first premise - that change is only motivated by practical and economic benefit. I agree that sometimes simple solutions are better than those that are more complex and I see that solutions are often inaccurately attributed to things that were only tangentially related. By struggling with the motivational origin for change coupled with the idea of simple solutions, I've realized something about my experiences as of late. I am struck by how easy it is for some of my acquaintances to reach out in generosity to each other and me. By believing in abundance that comes from giving what you have to others, those with little can actually have a lot. They have enough to eat, they share shelter, and they have very rich and caring relationships. I am not saying that we'd all be better off if we had less. I'm simply observing how easy and simple sharing, being in community, and caring for each other is among those who have few physical possessions but have wealth in relationships that is beyond the imagination of many of those who have so much.

So, is Freakonomics right about self-interested motivations for change and simple solutions to bring change about? Their evidence would seem to indicate that there are many examples that could come down to this. On the other hand, some of the world's greatest challenges - food, shelter, education, and natural resources - just may be equally, or more, resolvable when approached with simple solutions grounded in connectedness and concern for the mutual needs of us all. At least in the microcosm in which I live, the simple solution of assuming abundance and sharing more equitably may be the only way to save lives and create peace in our future.

Exploring the Mediterranean

Our family did something that was a first for a shared spring break this year. We decided that, with three of us in the U.S.A. and two in Qatar, we'd meet in the middle and take an exotic vacation together. The result - a 3-day Roman holiday weekend and an eight-day cruise of the western Mediterranean. This was a bit extravagant but, in retrospect, well worth it.

Without going into the travelogue of the entire trip, I'll comment on highlights of history and people that struck us as particularly intriguing. You can also check the link from my blog for pictures of our experience.

Starting in Rome one can't avoid being in awe of a culture so powerful and progressive two thousand years ago. Looking up into the vaulted dome of the Pantheon and realizing that it stood for centuries as the largest free-standing dome on the planet is truly amazing. Looking out across the Forum was another breath-taking moment. As we stood there, reflecting on the names of those who walked the stone paths among the columns and sculptures, one feels small in the course of human history.

In Barcelona we encountered a freedom of expression and innovation in a more contemporary age - the late 19th and early 20th century. The Palau De La Musica Catalan has been recognized as one of the most significant examples of Art Noveau architecture in the world. It was constructed to provide a place for vocal musicians to perform at their best - with resonant and warm acoustics, natural light, and colorful flourishes of stained glass everywhere one looks. Then there's Gaudi - the apartments, incidental buildings standing in complement to many other forms of architecture throughout Barcelona, and then of course, the Sagrada Familia. I've always wondered what Gaudi architecture would feel like in person and I was not disappointed. The greatest moment was being enveloped by the interior cathedral vaults that appear to be mighty, towering trees. While not finished, the Sagrada Familia will surely be one of the architectural wonders of the world when completed 20+ years from now. The lessons of personal freedom are everywhere in Barcelona and one can't help but be moved to wonder what forces unleashed such artistic creativity and what can be done to release equally powerful sources of art today.

Malta - a small island by comparison to many in the Mediterranean. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. As we walked the streets on Good Fridy in the brilliant sunlit blue of sky and sea, it was hard to imagine that this tiny island has seen so many battles and has been a strategic military stronghold time and again. That Good Friday, Malta represented both the peace and the stife that the world has seen, all crammed into one visual space.

Tunis and Carthage were very different than the rest of the places we visited. We had a short time there but made the most of it. Carthage was an ancient Phonecian settlement, taken over by the Greeks and eventually the Romans. In some ways it's a mystery what might be under the ruins that are now on the surface. The amazing section was of the Greek settlement that had been filled in with debris; because it had been filled in, the ancient structures were preserved better than others. Because of the short stay, we were a bit challenged in returning to the ship on time. In fact, we thought we were going to miss the departure; as a result, one of the most tense and eventually hilarious moments was running through the streets with packages flying and everyone gasping for breath as we raced to the boat. It wasn't so fun when we were doing it but it is a great memory.

The Costa cruiseship itself was something to behold. Twelve-stories tall and carrying 3,600 passengers, most of whom were Italian families out for a good time. Germans, French, Japanese, and a few English-speakers (only 167 U.S.A.) were sprinkled in for good measure. We were all served, entertained, and shown gracious hospitality by our Filipino and Indian dining room servers, cabin stewards, and other personnel. What a blend of cultures, all with their different roles and perspectives yet all able to celebrate together as the nights grew long and the tours became tedious.

During our Mediterranean cruise we mainly enjoyed each other and had the pleasure of seeing places none of us had seen before. In addition to the pleasure and family camraderie, we were able to see history, culture, art, and people that make our world a rich and wonderful place. We were able to see the products of human imagination and striving. And, the warmth of the people we encountered along the way convinces me that the striving will not cease...