It’s been a while, but let’s get back in the habit. You send us your “blegs” — that’s when you use a blog to beg for information, a solution to a tough problem, etc. — and we’ll post them here for readers to pitch in to solve your dilemmas.
Here’s an archive of past blegs; they cover everything from firefighter safety to your least favorite songs to settling a loved one’s estate without acrimony. You can leave your blegs in the comments section below or send them to bleg [at] freakonomics [dot] com . Remember, no problem is too hard (or small, or weird) for our readership!
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What is the best industry in which to gain experience or set of skills to acquire to be prepared for a lucrative future career? For example: learn Mandarin, get experience in healthcare efficiency improvement, learn air conditioner sales, etc.
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Is it better for the environment, economy, psyche, for suburban families to grow food in home gardens or buy from grocery stores including Whole Foods?
I have a couple of blegs for you:
The NHL Playoffs
With the humbling of the Caps last night, I was wondering whether it really is true that teams which win easily in the first round hit trouble in the second.
Is it more likely for a team winning 4-0 to then lose 4-0 to a team who had won 4-3 previously, than say if both teams were 4-3 inthe previous round?
Women out-earning men
It is very welcome news that women under 30 are out-earning men, but what is actually happening here? It makes sense that, at last, women earn as much as men, but why the full reversal?
General question on Economics/Statistics Software Packages.
I have been assigned a short econometrics research paper for my master’s level course and am allowed to use any statistical software package. I want to take this opportunity to learn a new program, currently I am only familiar with Excel and SPSS. What is the most used statistical economics program for economics research companies and government agencies?
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I have always tried to instill confidence in my children believing it crucial to success in life. So here is my question, which has a greater impact on success in life; confidence or intellect? Or education for that matter.
Love your stuff (both books,the podcasts, tweets and the website!).
Todd Edmunds
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Why is gasoline ~$4/gallon with oil at 105 and 2 years ago gas was the same price with oil at 140. It became more expensive to make gas? Refiners holding out? Explanations please.
I just started a job at the Red Cross teaching preparedness education. The tough part is convincing people to take action: make an emergency kit, have an evacuation plan, etc. My question for your readers is: You already know that you should be prepared in case of disaster. What would prompt you to actually do it?
Considering how few British monarchs have been Queens, rather than Kings, it seems surprising that so many of them are at or near the top of the list of the longest reignin. Not only did they live long lives but they ascended to the throne at young ages because their fathers lived shorter lives. Is there a correlation between men who have only daughters and the men’s life expectancy? And if so what might the reason?