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June 2007, Vol. 4 No. 2
Cover Story: Buyer Beware
Deciding whether something is worth buying should be a simple, rational decision. Yet, too often, all of us make a purchase that not long afterwards has us asking, "What in the world was I thinking?" George Loewenstein has asked that question, and what his research uncovered may change century-old economic theory.
George Loewenstein's heart quickened when he saw the envelope. "I can't open it here," he thought to himself while standing in the mailroom in the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business. "It's bad luck." He walked to his office, closed the door behind him, and sat down at his desk.
He was understandably anxious. The...
Read MoreIn This Issue
June 2007, Vol. 4 No. 2
Read about how Carnegie Mellon's George Loewenstein is uncovering what motivates the consumer - and changing century-old economic theory. Discover how graduate students are interacting with community membersthrough art. Find out what two drama alumni are doing on Broadway and in Hollywood. And discover what's behind the updates to Carnegie Mellon Today.
Double Feature
Acting is not a profession that offers job security or a guaranteed six-figure income. What it too often offers is plenty of self-doubt and steep odds of becoming a "star." But for two recent Carnegie Mellon graduates, it also offers a chance to follow their dreams.
Sales Force
With digital video recorders making it easy to skip through television commercials, satellite radio offering commercial-free stations, and newspapers struggling for readers, retailers are looking for new ways to get their advertising in front of consumers. Monte Zweben, whose background is in artificial intelligence, has a captive-audience alternative.
