Freakonomics Lawsuit: John Lott Jr.

Rock and Glock · April 12th, 2006, 10:55 AM

Having read Freakonomics last year, I found the following interesting. Although Levitt is a bit liberal in some areas (e.g. gun control), I found his analysis humorous, and the "Art" ("Black Art") of statistical analysis well explained.

It is one of the recent examples of why I rarely trust statistical analysis unless I fully understand the environment the academician is working in as well as his personal belief system (if possible), and the "Agenda" of the group "Funding" the analysis.....

Best-seller leads scholar to file lawsuit
Defamation allegation targets U. of C. author

By Michael Higgins
Tribune staff reporter
Published April 11, 2006

A scholar known for his work on guns and crime filed a defamation lawsuit Monday against University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt, co-author of the best-seller "Freakonomics."

John Lott Jr. of Virginia, a former U. of C. visiting professor, alleges that Levitt defamed him in the book by claiming that other scholars had tried and failed to confirm Lott's conclusion that allowing people to carry concealed weapons reduces crime. Publishers Weekly ranked "Freakonomics" eighth this week for non-fiction hardcover books.

According to Levitt's book: "When other scholars have tried to replicate [Lott's] results, they found that right-to-carry laws simply don't bring down crime."

But according to Lott's lawsuit: "In fact, every time that an economist or other researcher has replicated Lott's research, he or she has confirmed Lott's conclusion."

By suggesting that Lott's results could not be replicated, Levitt is "alleging that Lott falsified his results," the lawsuit says.

Lott is seeking a court order to block further sales of "Freakonomics" until the offending statements are retracted and changed. He is also seeking unspecified money damages.

Lott acknowledged in the suit that some scholars have disagreed with his conclusions. But he said those researchers used "different data or methods to analyze the relationship between gun-control laws and crime" and made no attempt to "replicate" Lott's work.

The lawsuit alleges that Levitt and his publisher, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., made the statements with reckless disregard for whether they were true and that the book damaged Lott's reputation.

Neither Levitt nor HarperCollins officials could be reached Monday.

According to the lawsuit, Levitt also defamed Lott in an e-mail that Levitt sent to an economist in Texas last May. The e-mail described work that Lott published in an academic journal in 2001. It falsely stated that Lott's work had not been peer-reviewed and that Lott had blocked scholars with opposing views from appearing in the same issue of the journal, the lawsuit said.

Lott's books include "More Guns, Less Crime: Analyzing Crime and Gun Control Laws," published in 1998. Levitt won the John Bates Clark Medal for economists younger than 40 from the American Economic Association in 2003.

The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo.

Bud White · April 13th, 2006, 07:50 AM

Read that on Thr yesterday wonder what will happen

Tangle · April 13th, 2006, 10:15 AM

I sure hope Lott wins. The antis blattenly lie about guns and they need to be held accountable for their lies.

falcon1 · April 14th, 2006, 11:11 AM

I certainly hope Lott wins too, but I fear they will get into court and the defendant will simply say, "Oops, my mistake," and no price paid.

soflasmg · April 14th, 2006, 12:25 PM

Freakonomics is a half baked load of crap.

All the author offers are gay little theories, analogies, and case studies with no true logic or scientific method.

I do however admire his business acumen in selling said half baked load of crap to a hungry public!!

(My copy was borrowed)

madmike · April 14th, 2006, 01:29 PM

Not being a lawyer, I don't know, but I kind of thought that for such a case to be won, you had to show where the work in question actually had a financial impact on you.

Not that it could harm you, but a verifiable instance where it really did.

Anyone know?

Personally, I wish him all the luck in the world.

mm

April 12th, 2006, 10:55 AM	#1
Rock and Glock VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado at 9,500' Posts: 3,748	Freakonomics Lawsuit: John Lott Jr. Having read Freakonomics last year, I found the following interesting. Although Levitt is a bit liberal in some areas (e.g. gun control), I found his analysis humorous, and the "Art" ("Black Art") of statistical analysis well explained. It is one of the recent examples of why I rarely trust statistical analysis unless I fully understand the environment the academician is working in as well as his personal belief system (if possible), and the "Agenda" of the group "Funding" the analysis..... Best-seller leads scholar to file lawsuit Defamation allegation targets U. of C. author By Michael Higgins Tribune staff reporter Published April 11, 2006 A scholar known for his work on guns and crime filed a defamation lawsuit Monday against University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt, co-author of the best-seller "Freakonomics." John Lott Jr. of Virginia, a former U. of C. visiting professor, alleges that Levitt defamed him in the book by claiming that other scholars had tried and failed to confirm Lott's conclusion that allowing people to carry concealed weapons reduces crime. Publishers Weekly ranked "Freakonomics" eighth this week for non-fiction hardcover books. According to Levitt's book: "When other scholars have tried to replicate [Lott's] results, they found that right-to-carry laws simply don't bring down crime." But according to Lott's lawsuit: "In fact, every time that an economist or other researcher has replicated Lott's research, he or she has confirmed Lott's conclusion." By suggesting that Lott's results could not be replicated, Levitt is "alleging that Lott falsified his results," the lawsuit says. Lott is seeking a court order to block further sales of "Freakonomics" until the offending statements are retracted and changed. He is also seeking unspecified money damages. Lott acknowledged in the suit that some scholars have disagreed with his conclusions. But he said those researchers used "different data or methods to analyze the relationship between gun-control laws and crime" and made no attempt to "replicate" Lott's work. The lawsuit alleges that Levitt and his publisher, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., made the statements with reckless disregard for whether they were true and that the book damaged Lott's reputation. Neither Levitt nor HarperCollins officials could be reached Monday. According to the lawsuit, Levitt also defamed Lott in an e-mail that Levitt sent to an economist in Texas last May. The e-mail described work that Lott published in an academic journal in 2001. It falsely stated that Lott's work had not been peer-reviewed and that Lott had blocked scholars with opposing views from appearing in the same issue of the journal, the lawsuit said. Lott's books include "More Guns, Less Crime: Analyzing Crime and Gun Control Laws," published in 1998. Levitt won the John Bates Clark Medal for economists younger than 40 from the American Economic Association in 2003. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo. __________________ Richard NRA Life Member "This world is not a playground where children at play are pampered by friendly nannies," Wendelin Wiedeking

April 14th, 2006, 12:25 PM	#5
soflasmg Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 195	Freakonomics is a half baked load of crap. All the author offers are gay little theories, analogies, and case studies with no true logic or scientific method. I do however admire his business acumen in selling said half baked load of crap to a hungry public!! (My copy was borrowed) __________________ The Marshmallowist

April 14th, 2006, 01:29 PM	#6
madmike Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 752	Not being a lawyer, I don't know, but I kind of thought that for such a case to be won, you had to show where the work in question actually had a financial impact on you. Not that it could harm you, but a verifiable instance where it really did. Anyone know? Personally, I wish him all the luck in the world. mm __________________ Political Correctness has now "evolved" into Political Cowardice.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

April 13th, 2006, 07:50 AM	#2
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	Read that on Thr yesterday wonder what will happen

April 13th, 2006, 10:15 AM	#3
Tangle Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chattanooga Posts: 5,688	I sure hope Lott wins. The antis blattenly lie about guns and they need to be held accountable for their lies.

April 14th, 2006, 11:11 AM	#4
falcon1 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 4,432	I certainly hope Lott wins too, but I fear they will get into court and the defendant will simply say, "Oops, my mistake," and no price paid.