A few of us here at bioethics.net were recently informed that something very important is happening on January 20th. Anyone know what? Does that date mean anything to anyone?

Well, for starters, an exciting new book called “Free Market Madness: Why Economics is at Odds with Human Nature, and Why That Matters” by Peter Ubel will be available for your post-inaugural reading pleasure. As described on Ubel’s own website,

What’s wrong with free market theory? It doesn’t take into account our human nature. We humans aren’t entirely rational creatures. We decide to roll over and hit the snooze button instead of going to the gym, and then we fret over our health insurance payments. We take out home loans we can’t possibly afford. We live hours away from our jobs when free time is clearly our most valued asset. All too often our subconscious causes us to act against our own self-interest.

Ubel’s website contains much more than an all-too-short teaser for his book. At the risk of being a typical academic’s website with a vita and articles posted, Professor Ubel has pictures of a Simpsons character (whom he presumably has been told he resembles?) and him running with his kids.

Moreover, the very best part is the “Decision of the Month” section of the website (Ubel is a professor of Medicine and Psychology and studies decision sciences). The link takes you to Professor Ubel’s center at the University of Michigan and runs you through a series of vignettes which illustrate how people make health-care decisions. It’s great fun…just give it a try!

Congrats to Peter Ubel and President Obama who both have a reason to celebrate this January 20th!

Summer Johnson, PhD