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*Create Your Own Economy*, special offer
As an economist I believe in the power of incentives.
If you order or buy my book before midnight tomorrow (it comes out tomorrow in stores), I will send you a free, special bonus chapter. If you've already bought or ordered the book, don't worry, you still qualify.
Just email me and tell me you bought the book, I will take your word for it. You can send me a copy of your on-line order if you wish.
No, it's not a bonus chapter from Create Your Own Economy.
Did you know that for years I have been, on and off, drafting a book on the philosophic foundations of a free society? The book is still years from completion. It won't even be my next book to come. But I do finally have an introductory chapter for that book which I will send you. This book is my no-holds-barred attempt to answer all of the tough questions about the philosophic foundations of our belief in freedom. It also gives a shorthand version of why I have significant reservations about the standard neoclassical approach to economic policy. No, it is not the book's full treatment of these issues but the chapter outlines the scope of the argument and the six major problems that any philosophy of freedom must solve.
In return I ask only that you give me your word you will not post the chapter on-line. (Comments, however, are welcome.)
This offer will not be repeated and I do not expect other people to see this chapter (much less the manuscript-in-progress) for some time to come. So now is the best, highest return time to order or buy Create Your Own Economy.
If you're having trouble clicking through to other book outlets, the link for Barnes&Noble.com is here, the link for Borders.com is here.
Posted by Tyler Cowen on July 8, 2009 at 01:01 PM in Books | Permalink
Comments
i bought your book. what's the email address to get the chapter?
Posted by: dm at Jul 8, 2009 1:20:00 PM
Did you get this idea from Dan Ariely?
Posted by: Floyd B. Pishko at Jul 8, 2009 1:23:21 PM
Tyler, just bought your book on Amazon. What is your email address for the bonus chapter? Thanks.
Posted by: MK at Jul 8, 2009 1:39:59 PM
For those asking what Tyler's email is: It's on the bottom left of MR: TCowen@gmu.edu
Posted by: Conrad Barski at Jul 8, 2009 1:42:54 PM
this reminds me...you haven't updated your secret blog in a while...
Posted by: Biomed Tim at Jul 8, 2009 1:57:36 PM
what are the storage costs for answers to tough questions about the philosophic foundations of our belief in freedom?
Posted by: babar at Jul 8, 2009 1:57:59 PM
I am somewhat startled by how these two fit together:
As an economist I believe in the power of incentives.
Just email me and tell me you bought the book, I will take your word for it.
given how rapidly the secret blog address was leaked!
On myself, I cannot buy the book at the moment, sadly, and so I will not ask for the secret chapter. I do hope you complete your philosophy book within my lifetime, though ;)
Posted by: david at Jul 8, 2009 2:00:19 PM
Tyler,
Ordered from Amazon. what's your e-mail?
Thanks
K.M.G.
Posted by: karl michael griffin at Jul 8, 2009 2:25:08 PM
and I believe in rewarding those who provide positive incentives...the book has been ordered
Posted by: Neil S at Jul 8, 2009 2:28:39 PM
Why are used copies of the book more expensive than new copies?
Posted by: Elliott at Jul 8, 2009 2:33:04 PM
@Elliott
Amazon does not price the used books, those prices are determined by independent sellers.
Since the book has not been released yet, then the only "used copy" must be an advanced copy from the publisher. Supply and demand then kicks in to give you a high price. For those patient enough to wait a couple of days, the price will come down significantly on the used books. (Note: This is one reason why Kindle is such a good deal for Amazon, DRM takes care of the used book market, just as Ticketmaster tries new technology to foil scalpers.)
Posted by: Dan K. at Jul 8, 2009 2:46:06 PM
"If you've already bought or ordered the book, don't worry, you still qualify."
How does this influence behavior at the margin??
Posted by: Gary Leff at Jul 8, 2009 2:53:58 PM
"Why are used copies of the book more expensive than new copies?"
Supply & demand. Demand for new copies will be fulfilled tomorrow, and since used copies can only be made out of new ones fulfilling the demand for used ones will take longer. That was easy.
Posted by: arne at Jul 8, 2009 3:02:56 PM
How can a "faith" have foundations? Are they "faith's too?
Posted by: demonax at Jul 8, 2009 3:03:13 PM
Your incentive is good. Almost good enough. Some people are repulsed by deadlines. If they are too onerous, they spur inaction rather than action.
Posted by: Andrew at Jul 8, 2009 3:12:45 PM
Can I buy an Audible futures contract?
Posted by: Andrew at Jul 8, 2009 3:13:30 PM
Extend to Tuesday for Canadians?
Posted by: Pedro at Jul 8, 2009 4:02:35 PM
"How does this influence behavior at the margin??"
I suspect that it prevents potential readers, for future books, from not pre-ordering the book just in case a special offer shows up for that book. Given that Dr. Cowen is thinking about writing at least one more book, it makes sense to think about future incentives too!
Posted by: Joseph Delaney at Jul 8, 2009 4:18:18 PM
OK, I just bought it.
Posted by: TA at Jul 8, 2009 4:22:42 PM
Nice idea... promotion as promotion:
"Buy your movie ticket right now, and as an added bonus, you can watch FREE previews of upcoming films!!!"
Posted by: JP at Jul 8, 2009 4:24:16 PM
Another example of why I love this blog
Posted by: Joe at Jul 8, 2009 4:43:27 PM
I don't care about this book, but I do care a lot about the future book. If you believe in incentives, I should lie and e-mail without buying.
Posted by: liar at Jul 8, 2009 5:03:51 PM
Ah, the power of incentives. By way of example: I asked my neighborhood bookstore to match a price quoted online, and they scoffed at my request. I have no incentive to ever buy a book from them. Now your offer, on the other hand....
Posted by: Adam at Jul 8, 2009 5:04:40 PM
Geez, such a cryptic offer is quite enticing ;-) I'm not in tune to comprehend all the comments - but will take some free time to take them all in over the weekend. And speaking of 'free' offers, we're still expected to pay the price of the book, right? So how is this any different than all the "25% more for free" ads - that only mean that the price is effectively 80% of its professed nominal value? How many chapters are in the book - cuz forgetting this bonus chapter's qualitative uniqueness, wouldn't it only bring the effective price per chapter down by a max 10%? I offer to pay for 'david' to get this book, sight unseen - or otherwise pay heed to "liar" and merely claim he's bought it already (though he may need to change his ID, given the resultant disincentive for the author to rely on the sudden change in fortune (if that's the reason - my only default on the face of it)!. Seriously though, if david truly wants the book - and won't get it otherwise, I *will* pay for it (and when my book comes out some day, on the historic illusions of a free market - that could only exist in a free society - you'll get that gratis for sure, and certainly as well). Cheers, Tom
Posted by: TomG at Jul 8, 2009 7:06:19 PM
Done. My economy had better be at least as big and as that of Zimbabwe, or I'm going to demand a full refund.
Posted by: Tonyp at Jul 8, 2009 8:04:01 PM
