The bagel - the key to human behaviour?

I've always been a fan of lateral thinking and this new book by Steven Levitt looks like it will catch my fancy. Anyone who can find a link between Chicago high school teachers and sumo wrestlers, and estate agents and the KKK is definitely worthy of a read. Read the article to see the wonderfully curved way this man's mind thinks. Especially interesting is how he collected some of his data from a bagel delivery man.

The Guardian also draws attention to the fact that data and the evidence that it presents must not be taken at face value as the context is what is most important. The current war in Iraq is given as an example.

The book is winging its way to me through the wonderful United States Postal Service. It should be a good read.