My research interests

I dislike having to explain that despite the graduate degree in economics, I'm never going to be rich, I don't know which stocks are hot, and that no, I don't have a prediction for GDP growth (or inflation or interest rates). For example:

Me: Uh, (shuffles feet), I'm doing my PhD in economics.

New Acquaintence: Oh, wow! So you're going to be so rich one day.

Me: (uncomfortable laughter) Well, maybe. Probably not though.

NA: So, what's gonna happen with (some macroeconomic issue that nobody can predict)?

Me: I don't really know. I'm more interested in applied microeconomics - like, have you read "Freakanomics"? That's the kind...

NA (interrupting): You know, I have a friend who studied economics. But he thought it was too theoretical. Now he has this consulting business, and he's making millions. That's REAL economics.

Me: Uh-huh, I guess so.

I was indulging in a little metacognition (well, more like mental housekeeping) the other day, and I realised that there are basically two themes in the research questions that interest me: sex and violence. I'm really curious about crime: why don't more people steal things? I'm often surprised (and grateful) that I haven't been attacked in my house yet. After all, we suburbanites do have a lot of nice stuff, and there are a lot of people who are really poor. Why haven't the suburbs been swamped by ambitious thieves? Sure, the rich can invest in high walls and alarms, but those aren't too hard to get over or around.

On a similar topic: according to burglars and thieves, they frequently use the proceeds of their crimes to impress women. If it were sex they were after, why not simply rape the objects of their desire? It would probably be easier, both physically and logistically, and these men clearly don't have a problem with using violence to achieve their ends. Perhaps they fear retaliation and ostracism within their own communities. Then again, it's not hard to disguise yourself, and there's a reasonable chance that the victim would keep quiet about it.