Steve Levitt lecture

Went to a lecture by Steve Levitt last night, the young rock star of the Econ Department. The title of the talk was: From Sumo Wrestlers to School Corruption: An Economist Looks at the Real World

Here's the official description:

What do sumo wrestlers and elementary school teachers have in common? What kind of economist studies game shows, gangs, and lojack? Is this what they're teaching in Econ 201 these days? At the University of Chicago, economists believe the tools of economics can unlock the answer to just about any question. Micro-economist Steven Levitt, who was recently hailed by the New York Times as "the most brilliant young economist in America," exemplifies this tradition. Having tackled topics as arcane as sumo wrestling, penalty kicks in soccer, lojack, the link between abortion and crime, drunk driving, and drug-selling gangs, Professor Levitt won the 2003 John Bates Clark Medal, given biennially to the country's best economist under 40. In this special program for Chicago alumni, Professor Levitt describes examples of his work on corruption in unusual places and shows how cutting-edge economics can be used to catch the cleverest cheaters.

He was great. Interesting, clear, a gentle sense of humor.