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Assorted links
1. The ten highest earning authors; I like only one of them.
2. Chris Blattman and Michael Clemens on the long run.
3.The worst academic jobs around the world?
4. The difference between country music and rap music
5. Is there a need for "speed bankruptcy"? -- an analysis of the major plans
Posted by Tyler Cowen on October 6, 2008 at 02:43 PM in Web/Tech | Permalink
Comments
#1 - let me guess. Nick Sparks. Don't lie.
Posted by: jason voorhees at Oct 6, 2008 3:22:55 PM
I was gonna guess Danielle Steel.
I like how the highest earner on the list (Rowling, obviously) earns 500% more than the second highest (James Patterson).
Posted by: d.cous. at Oct 6, 2008 3:39:22 PM
I would guess Stephen King.
Posted by: Blackadder at Oct 6, 2008 4:06:54 PM
I sure hope it's Rowling. Anyone who doesn't like HP must have a cylinder that's not firing.
Posted by: David J. Balan at Oct 6, 2008 4:15:46 PM
I loved the Harry Potter books, even if I did often pretend it was more sci-fi and less childish than it is.
Posted by: Erik at Oct 6, 2008 4:19:53 PM
It's the economists' own damn fault. If economics were interesting, everyone would buy there books. But there is no effective plot in economics books (although economists can plot a graph). There is no character development (although economists can tell you how to develop a country's economy). In sum, economics is boring. Fiction is not and you can read a 500 page book of fiction in one sitting (albeit a long one) - try that with an economics book.
Posted by: Allan at Oct 6, 2008 5:38:46 PM
It's the economists' own damn fault. If economics were interesting, everyone would buy there books. But there is no effective plot in economics books (although economists can plot a graph). There is no character development (although economists can tell you how to develop a country's economy). In sum, economics is boring. Fiction is not and you can read a 500 page book of fiction in one sitting (albeit a long one) - try that with an economics book.
Posted by: Allan at Oct 6, 2008 5:40:07 PM
Sorry about the double posting. And "there" in the first sentence should be "their".
Posted by: Allan at Oct 6, 2008 5:41:35 PM
I like Rowling and Evanovich. The Stephanie Plum books get repetitive after a while, but they are pretty funny.
Posted by: MattF at Oct 6, 2008 6:11:49 PM
I agree with Allan, with 4 exceptions:
1. Irving Fisher, Theory of Interest. I read 250 pages in one sitting. Not 500, but same order of magnitude.
2. David R. Henderson (me), The Joy of Freedom: An Economist's Odyssey. The wife of one of my students, who had never taken economics, read it while "manning" a booth.
3. Russ Roberts, The Invisible Heart.
4. Russ Roberts, The Price of Everything.
Best,
David
Posted by: David R. Henderson at Oct 6, 2008 7:08:14 PM
I'm sure it's Ken Follett that he likes.
Posted by: Chris at Oct 6, 2008 7:38:36 PM
#4 Also the SUM of country music and rap is a sub-genre known as Crap.
Posted by: CB at Oct 6, 2008 8:00:59 PM
Has to be Clancy. Rainbow SIX!
Posted by: Dan at Oct 6, 2008 10:27:32 PM
I started reading Dean Koontz the last time I was in jail. I don't read much fiction -- but he's good. I haven't read any of his work since I got out. Anyways -- it's been ten years, and this is an election year -- so there's a good chance I might find 30 to 60 days to catch up.
Posted by: SheetWise at Oct 7, 2008 12:32:21 AM
I think Tyler likes Koontz. JK Rowling is rubbish. Sorry kids. And adults.
Posted by: Nick at Oct 7, 2008 3:58:44 AM
#4 is blatantly wrong. Rap music is not about cheating on your partner. How can you cheat on someone you aren't exclusive with in the first place? Rap glorifies open promiscuity, not cheating. If you don't believe me, read the lyrics to "Ain't No Fun" by Snoop Dogg, or just about any rap song, for that matter.
Posted by: Christina at Oct 7, 2008 12:02:51 PM
I think King's best is really good. Rowling's best is OK.
Posted by: at Oct 7, 2008 12:47:22 PM
It is King. From an earlier post:
"Stephen King, Song of Susannah. I adore I-IV of The Dark Tower series, but by this point the plot has fallen apart."
Posted by: Jake at Oct 7, 2008 4:23:25 PM
