Economics is super freaky

Published 2:33 pm Thursday, October 22, 2009

Not surprisingly, it’s been a good year for books about business and economics. Among recent releases is “SuperFreakonomics,” a follow-up to the 2005 best-seller “Freakonomics,” which chronicled the economics of drug-dealing and similar topics.

Fans of funkmaster Rick James may be disappointed to learn that the book, despite its title, makes no mention of James’ contributions to the economy through his purchase of hair beads and drug paraphernalia.

Houston, we don’t want a problem: NASA expects to launch its next-generation moon rocket, the Ares I, in a test of the vehicle’s first stage next week.

NASA, hoping to head off any delays, already has warned cable news channels to ignore any claims by Richard Heene that one of his sons has sneaked on board the rocket before launch.

You’re not going anywhere, mister: A Swiss court denied film director Roman Polanski’s appeal to be released as he fights extradition to the U.S. for alleged sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977.

Polanski had agreed to electronic monitoring, but the Swiss panel considered the diminutive Polanski a flight risk because he recently had purchased several mylar balloons, a wicker basket and duct tape.

—Jon Bauer, Herald staff