So Richard Thaler is to get a Nobel prize.
US economist Richard Thaler, one of the founding fathers of behavioural economics, has won this year’s Nobel Prize for Economics.
Prof Thaler, of Chicago Booth business school, co-wrote the global best seller Nudge, which looked at how people make bad or irrational choices.
Judges said he had demonstrated how “nudging” – a term he coined – may help people to exercise better self-control.
For which, I can only say thanks a bundle. The nudge concept was taken and abused by Cameron and his big society bollocks. Okay, so Thaler didn’t intend it to be used in the way that Cameron did. However, he should have seen it coming. Besides, it is not up to anyone to nudge us into making decisions that they think are in our best interests. It’s entirely up to us to decide and if we get it wrong, well, that’s our problem.
Prof Thaler’s work led to the UK setting up a “nudge unit” under former prime minister David Cameron. It was launched in 2010 to find innovative ways of changing public behaviour and has offices in the UK, New York, Singapore and Sydney.
Well, it didn’t change mine. Not one jot.
“Well, it didn’t change mine. Not one jot.”
Ah, but are you really sure?
Oh yes.
‘Nudging’ has worked only to make me even more intransigent. If that’s what they wanted, they have succeeded.
Likewise.
I feel there’s a lot to be said for being an awkward arsehole on principle, in the face of totally transparent condescending fuckwittery.
I’m not sure what bad lifestyle choices have to do with economics. If people weren’t inclined to buy lots of ephemeral tat that they don’t need the global economy would probably tank.
No, if you wander around any shopping centre or street you will see that 95% or higher is SWW – shit women want – and I would include mens clothing in that too.
It is women that drive most purchases and discard perfectly serviceable items because “this seasons must haves” are here, including durable goods such as crockery, glassware, domestic appliances etc.
Women are wrecking the planet if you want to believe that comsumerism is destroying the place. Try that on one of your politically correct friends, eh?