In the introduction Charles Wheelan makes a very good case for the importance of learning about and coming to understand economics. I may not have been aware of it before, but I am beginning to understand just how much economics affects individuals and society as a whole. Wheelan's analogy that "economics is like gravity: ignore it and you will be in for some rude surprises" was particularly striking and memorable. I've come to realize that there is a lot people more educated than me don't know about economics and that this lack of economic knowledge creates problems. I learned last semester in Ridenour's government class about being a well informed citizen. I believe that if the average citizen and politician had a better understanding if economics we might figure out how to reduce poverty and improve the nation's economy. Wheelan's introduction has convinced me that economics can be accessible and interesting to non-economists and I am excited to improve my knowledge and understanding.