Because economics is all about optimising, doing the best you can with what you have - it's usually the first place you should look for answers if you want to maximise your happiness.

Prenatal testing is a complicated decision for many women, forcing us to confront concerns about a disabled child and risks of miscarriage.

The key to good decision making is evaluating the available information - the data - and combining it with your own estimates of pluses and minuses. As an economist, I do this every day.

For many women - myself included - pregnancy brings on tremendous anxiety and confusion, along with the joy.

Good household decision-making often relies on thinking about your household like a firm.

All's fair in love and purchasing.

I think we've moved to thinking of parenting and pregnancy as something in which you should lose yourself.

There is some risk to increase birth defects if you do a lot of outdoor gardening when you are pregnant. That can increase rates of toxoplasmosis.

In short, humans are programmed to get bored.

Talking to women about birth can be polarizing.

As people do a task, they improve at it.

The word 'star' doesn't mean an awful lot to me. 'Good actor' and having the respect of one's peers means more.

We really try to make sure that the band writes the songs, not just one person.

The real tight interface is between the book and the reader-the world of the book is plugged right into your brain, never mind the [virtual reality] bodysuit.

The modern composer builds his works on the basis of truth.

I can play, and I know it; I'm not looking for any pats on the back. I don't have to be endorsed by anybody. I make enough to live and eat, and I'm happy with my music-and that's all I need.

We're fighting internal struggles, I am the cancer for my own cure.

In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.

If you can capture the element of surprise, you're way ahead of the game.

Let the world wagge, and take mine ease in myne Inne.

You should go into every relationship as a brick and not a blanket.