Think like a freak by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

"Think like a freak" by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner. The book is published by William Morrow in 2014 and is 288 pages long. This is their 3rd book after highly popular 'Freakonomics' and 'Super Freakonomics'.

This is a non fiction book so it hasn't got a story, however it has a theme. The book is divided in various chapters.

1. What does it mean to think like a freak
It means differently, thinking unconventionally. Authors have taken example of final penalty kick may win you world cup. Where will you kick? Right or left or center? Up or down?

2. Three hardest words in English - I don't know.
First thing in resolution of a problem, issue or difficulty is to acknowledge that there is a problem and I don't know the solution. Cost of pretending to know more than you do is high.

3. What's your problem?
Authors emphasis importance of defining the problem. By defining a problem differently, you can push the boundaries. They have taken an example of Japanese hotdog eating  competition winner Takeru Kobayashi (Kobe).

4. Truth is in the roots
Try to find the route cause rather treating symptoms. Authors have taken example of why black Americans have lower life expectancy than white. Why did a young doctor swallow a batch of bacteria to find cause of ulcers.

5. Think like a child
Express your ideas fearlessly, like a child. Don't be ashamed even if it sounds stupid. If the idea is bad, don't act upon it. Recognize the power of thinking small. Here they have taken an example of drunk walking.

6. Like giving candy to baby
Intensivize people, but don't manipulate them. How to determine someone's true incentives. Authors have used example of 'Once-and-done' campaign by an NGO called 'Smile train' and Ping-Pong diplomacy between America and China.

7. What do King Soloman  and David Lee Roth have in common?
Both loved game theory. Both mastered the art of beating their opponent by anticipating their next move. A person who is lying or cheating will often respond to an inventive differently than honest person. Use this to teach your garden to weed itself.

8. How to persuade people who don't want to be persuaded.
Why are better educated people more extremist? Don't pretend your argument is perfect. Why you should tell stories. How many people remember ten commandments from Bible?

9. The upside of quitting.
You can't solve tomorrow's problem if you won't abandon today's dud. Know when to struggle and when to quit. There's nothing wrong in quitting. Let go. When taking tough decisions, flip a coin.

Like their previous two books, this books also makes extensive use of statistical data to drive home the point. And it's hard to refute the point they make. Authors have a knack of convincing the readers. Freak is a word used in keeping the tradition of first two books. It is used with meaning 'different'. The book is simultaneously entertaining, intriguing and enlightening.

You understand and agree with everything the authors say. The key would be in the successful implementation of some or all the ideas. That's the real challenge for readers and successful ones will reap the fruits.

It's a good book. Those who have liked the first two will enjoy this one too. Recommend reading.