My delightful padlet by Andrew McBennett

Self Reference

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:35:43 UTC

The authors utilize the name of the book to garner the reader’s attention and to help set the scene for the contents of the book. Written at the introduction of the book, the explanation of the book’s contents and the author’s mindset gives the reader an inside look at the thought processes put into its creation. He explained that they did not want to create another book for the field of microeconomics. Instead, he sought to illustrate the unknown and ignored aspects of the economy and highlight their impacts on seemingly unconnected niches in society. He sets the groundwork for the explanation of a “boring” science and uses it as a “tool” to understand the world around us deeper. Additionally, he refers to the approach of the book as a “treasure-hunt approach.” This prepares the readers for the unusual, clue-like format of the explanation, where evidence is given from a broad variety of subjects to allow the reader to come to their conclusion about society and economics.

Metaphor

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:36:27 UTC

The authors use a metaphor to illustrate the effects of an incentive on economics. ”Bullet” and “key” are cleverly juxtaposed against one another as one has a very mundane connotation while the other is assumed to be extremely dangerous. This effect highlights the author’s point that a small object can make a large change when put in the right situation. The use of a metaphor also allows the reader to utilize their imagination when thinking of the unique problems that could be solved with the objects listed. This use of imagination can be translated to an incentive’s use in economics to help the readers visualize the unique problems incentives solve. The use of several commonly known objects creates an understanding of the topics covered in the following chapters and the overall message of the book.

Evidence

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:37:26 UTC

When discussing if the sacred sport of sumo wrestling could be corrupted with the level of prestige that comes at the top, the authors discuss the interesting statistic that many sumo wrestlers who have nothing to gain from another win will let those who need to win have the victory. The author is speaking about how cheating is natural in any sport and many sports have individuals who cheat to both win and lose. His statistics about sumo wrestlers who have already achieved the minimum threshold for staying within the elite ranks will often lose many more matches to people who need the win than what is statistically probable, highlights that a bribe will often serve a wrestler better than another win. The evidence presented is just one of the facets in the author's attempt to prove that if cheating is beneficial and possible then a human will almost always do it.

Juxtaposition

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:38:15 UTC

As the authors work to begin their chapter comparing the Klu Klux Klan to realtors they start by defining the KKK. They utilize juxtaposition to show the change caused by economic growth by discussing harmless pranks and contrasting them with the KKK’s growth into a “multistate terrorist organization”. They do this to introduce the readers to the concept that economic needs can grow groups into extremist cults. The author's use of juxtaposition shows the reader how much the emancipation of slaves crippled the Southern economy. It illustrates the seriousness of the economic need at a time when many thousands of people would join a “terrorist organization” that participates in the lynching of former slaves. They relate the economic struggle with the concept of incentives formerly spoken about when the ownership of slaves was incentivized and therefore people would do anything to keep it.

Special terms

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:38:47 UTC

The authors use special terms like “Fantastic” and “charming” to exemplify the deception commonly used by realtors when selling a house that may be considered undesirable. This exemplification not only gives the readers something to look out for but also shows how “experts” will use tricks and clever wording to manipulate those who know less. Since experts will commonly avoid words that are actual descriptions of the property and instead give vague images that can be left up to the imagination. Thus the authors work to explain to the reader the corrupt nature of experts and the exploitation that occurs in everyday sales. Ultimately the author is building upon the analogy between the Klu Klux Klan and the deceit of realtors. They are trying to convey that there is mental coercion from any group who seeks to profit from their effect on others. Whether it is behavioral like the KKK or it is financial from realtors.

Humor

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:39:22 UTC

Being humorous is one of the best ways to gain a reader’s attention. The authors work humor into the book often to maintain a connection with the reader and the conversational diction throughout the book. The authors' imitation of a wife who has caught her husband attempting to find a mistress creates a familiar and humorous setting. They do this not only to get the reader’s attention but also to prove that many people on dating apps are blinded by the search for love and ignore the consequences they may face. However, the ultimate goal of the authors was to communicate the complexity of the image given to others, especially in public. They claim that many people want to give themselves a publicly desired image and by using the contrast of men who are already married on dating apps they highlight the absurdity of the action.

Motif

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:40:01 UTC

While addressing the former chapter’s absurd topics and questions the authors claim that absurd questions sometimes result in valuable learning experiences. They do this in an attempt for the reader to pay attention to the points brought up previously and reflect on the various lessons that could be extracted from the various anecdotes. It also may serve as a sort of motif for the book as the book states multiple times that there is no central theme, instead, there are multiple lessons left up to the reader to interpret. It prompts the reader to think about the answers to absurd questions like: “How is a sumo wrestler like a teacher?” and “How is the KKK like realtors?” This reflection upon the book creates understanding and learning that helps the authors communicate their point.

Suspense

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:40:32 UTC

The authors create a feeling of suspense by using foreshadowing at the end of the chapter. The use of the word “unbeknownst“ creates a feeling of unknown that draws in the reader’s curiosity. The authors work to create curiosity because without it the readers would lose interest. Additionally, it is at the end of a chapter, so the phrase works as a hook for the reader going into another topic. The use of the words “ripple effect— this one moving in the opposite direction”(113) creates an image of an actual ripple that allows the reader to understand the contrast of the next topic which covers an inverse effect. A deeper context going into the chapter creates a better environment for any who are trying to extract their own themes from the text.

Analogy

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:41:05 UTC

The authors use an analogy to create a connection between two separate situations. The connection to Romanian abortion bans sets up the introduction of America’s Roe v. Wade and allows for them to connect the two. Common trends across the two stories allow for a greater understanding of the evidence the authors are trying to present. In the Romanian example, the readers learned the hard way that the banning of abortion is directly correlated with the rise of crime due to unwantedness. Once they have seen a negative impact the author shifts to a positive example of the import of abortions. The contrast shows through both good and bad effects that abortions have a very high impact on the crime rate. The easier it is to understand the evidence presented the better and more widely the evidence will be understood. By explaining the analogy directly, the authors can lead the readers to the conclusions they reached through their own research.

Repitition

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:42:21 UTC

The book displays a turn toward humor and facetiousness as the authors analyze the quote of a famous criminologist. The effect of humor on the reader is that the reader will better understand the unserious irony behind the “experts” words. By slightly changing his words and saying that a literal bloodbath would never occur the expert seemed to defend his prediction by saying that he was being overdramatic. The author picks on the absurdity of this statement and uses repetition to remind the reader of one of the themes from the last chapters. By alluding to the last chapters the author reminds the reader that the past chapters can be extrapolated across multiple topics and give the reader a better chance to remember the lessons they are trying to communicate as the nature point of the book.

Allusion

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:42:48 UTC

Panacea is the Greek goddess of healing. The authors knew this and alluded to her to effectively communicate about the effectiveness of the police crackdown. By stating that the police action was not a crime panacea more effectively communicates the effect of the increased police action. By saying it was not like the goddess of healing, it effectively shows that the NYC police cracking down on minute crimes did not fix anything. Additionally it sets the authors up to discuss the fact that the crime rate in New York City is not any higher than other cities at the time. This reinforces their claim that the crime rate is only based on the economy and economic factors. They can communicate to the reader that the crime rate went down even in other places because of a stronger economy and more availability to abortions.

Rhetorical questions

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:43:38 UTC

In this quote, the use of rhetorical questions serves to provoke thinking and highlight the complexity of a violent encounter. By presenting hypothetical scenarios, the speaker forces readers to consider the implications and dangers in each situation. The repetition of "What if" creates a sense of uncertainty, emphasizing the morally ambiguousness of violence. This strategy effectively engages the audience, prompting them to reflect on the change a gun may prompt within a conflict. They want to communicate the complex nature of gun rights in a country with unrestricted gun laws like America. Ultimately, the questions invite a deeper examination of the effects and consequences of armed conflict.

Understatement

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:48:48 UTC

In this quote, the use of understatement minimizes the gravity of the warriors' actions by dismissing their beliefs in a lighthearted tone. The phrase "faulty causes" downplays the horrific nature of their violence, creating a contrast between the serious implications of rape and the casualness of the expression. This juxtaposition challenges readers to think about the absurdity of such justifications for violence, prompting a deeper reflection on the historical normalization of brutal practices. By smirking at these ancient beliefs, the author downplays the amount of mental and physical agony that many had gone through. Through the author's casual approach, the true effects of these thought processes can be lost. Ultimately, this tone fosters a sense of irony that emphasizes the ongoing relevance of these issues.

Humor

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:49:59 UTC

In this quote, humor is employed to highlight the absurdity of the contrasting parenting philosophies regarding baby sleep training. The playful tone used when discussing Gary Ezzo's emphasis on training a baby to sleep alone contrasts sharply with the serious warnings from co-sleeping advocates. This juxtaposition invites readers to reflect on the different sides of parenting advice, making the topic more relatable and understandable. By presenting the debate in a light-hearted manner, the author encourages readers to question the contrast of both approaches while emphasizing the need for balance and understanding in parenting practices. Ultimately, the humor serves to allow for the audience to critique the parenting advice field and observe the absurdity of the juxtaposed advice.

humor

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:51:21 UTC

In this quote, humor is used to critique the superficiality of naming conventions and their perceived impact on a child's intelligence. The irony of suggesting that a name can cause smartness underscores the absurdity of placing too much importance on superficial attributes. This light-hearted tone invites readers to reflect on the societal tendency to equate names with qualities like intelligence or beauty. By highlighting the ridiculousness of this belief, the author encourages readers to focus on more important, meaningful factors in a child's development. Ultimately, the humor serves to both entertain and create thought, making the message more memorable.

allusion

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:54:14 UTC

In this quote, the allusion to "Baby Mozart" and "Goodnight Moon" evokes a shared cultural understanding of parenting trends aimed at enhancing a child's intelligence. This reference not only adds humor by poking fun at the sometimes great lengths parents go to in promoting their children's development but also questions the effectiveness of these efforts. The playful tone suggests that despite these efforts, the outcomes may not be as significant as parents hope. This blend of humor and allusion invites readers to reflect on their own parenting choices and what they may have done that may have been nonsensical. Ultimately, the light-hearted approach makes the commentary more engaging, and allows for the people to better understand the point the authors are trying to convey.

Theme

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:55:40 UTC

In this quote, the acknowledgment of a lack of a "unifying theme" encourages readers to engage in reflection about their own expectations. By recognizing the absence of a central theme, the author allows readers to consider how they derive meaning for the books that they read and analyze. The mention of a "common thread" suggests that even without a cohesive theme, there are connections worth exploring, prompting readers to think about their interpretations and the smaller themes that repetitively pop up. This approach makes a better engagement with the text, encouraging individuals to find their own links between seemingly unrelated concepts. Ultimately, this reflection creates a deep level of understanding of the text, transforming their reading experience into a way for better depth of understanding.

Allusion

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:56:09 UTC

In this quote, the allusion to Ted Kaczynski, the infamous Unabomber, uses irony to create contrast between Harvard prestige and extremely deplorable acts. By noting that Kaczynski attended Harvard, the author challenges the reader's assumptions about the relationship between education and character, showing how prestigious activities do not guarantee a great life. This irony forces readers to think about the hidden lives within seemingly successful individuals. The reference creates thought about societal expectations surrounding intelligence and achievement. The concept of linking an elite background to such a notorious figure engages readers, prompting them to reflect on the themes created from the juxtaposition.

Humor

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 15:57:00 UTC

In this quote, the allusion to Bobby Seale and his barbecue products uses humor to juxtapose a serious historical figure with a casual hobby. This contrast serves to highlight the ways in which significant cultural movements can be reduced to almost nothing, prompting readers to reflect on the real effects of movements. The lighthearted tone invites thoughts of how legacies are remembered and often what will remain as reminders of the bygone movements. By using humor, the author encourages readers to consider the absurdity of this transformation while also acknowledging the interesting lasting effects. This approach makes the commentary more engaging, allowing readers to understand themes easier.

Humor

amcbennett26 — 2024-11-01 16:00:01 UTC

In this quote, the juxtaposition of a casket with golf scenes and a hunting-themed casket highlights the absurdity of the consumer by placing unserious concepts with death. This contrast between the casket and the imagery of leisure activities creates a humorous effect, prompting readers to consider the effects of “experts” opinions on selling products and the benefits of self shopping. The price of "The Last Hole" emphasizes the interest people have in their hobbies, evoking a sense of irony about what truly matters in life and death. The humor serves to lighten a sad subject, making it more understandable while still provoking thoughts of how important salesmen's tactics are compared to life and death.