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Notes on 'Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work'

28 points by luu 11y ago

laurex 11y ago
The point that "rationalists" have trouble with media aimed at "regular people" (quotes implying my characterization, not the author's words) is interesting. Most "regular people" are compelled by stories, narrative and elements of "Type 1" (in the Kahneman sense) thinking- and I wonder if it's possible to shift into "rational" thinking without a transitional metaphorical/story-based rationale. Are "rational" people built that way, or can books like this help them shift their thinking?
- saeranv 11y ago
  Damn, you're the first person I've ever downvoted, and it occurred accidently while trying to upvote you, sorry! To your comment, I'm sure it's possible. But you may want to also ask if it's worth to add to the cognitive overload of behaving rationally, while also fighting our innate tendency to think in terms of narratives. I think narrative/metaphorical rationale is actually a very useful cheat to (a) communicate effectively to others and (b) rewire your own behaviours.
  - thedevil 11y ago
    I up voted him/her to compensate. Also his/her comment was not bad.
- spacehome 11y ago
  That's a brilliant distillation of some of the trouble I've had communicating with "regular people". For instance, when everyone is concerned about the risk du juour (lately terrorism), some easy research shows that the leading causes of death for young adults are car accidents, heart disease, cancer, and suicide, and those are where you should be putting all your nervous energy. Terrorism isn't even a blip on the radar, but because of news coverage, people have trouble immediately recalling personalized narratives.
- jamii 11y ago
  I meant quite the opposite. I'm aware that it's very hard to read something sticky and not end up implicitly believing it. Sticky accurate ideas are great - it's an efficient use of the hardware. Non-sticky inaccurate ideas are mostly harmless. But sticky inaccurate ideas are dangerous and invasive, so if I notice something is sticky it instantly puts me on guard. And if I can't find the underlying evidence to convince myself that it is accurate I get worried about what kind of ideas I've just allowed into my mind.

28 points by luu 11y ago

The point that "rationalists" have trouble with media aimed at "regular people" (quotes implying my characterization, not the author's words) is interesting. Most "regular people" are compelled by stories, narrative and elements of "Type 1" (in the Kahneman sense) thinking- and I wonder if it's possible to shift into "rational" thinking without a transitional metaphorical/story-based rationale. Are "rational" people built that way, or can books like this help them shift their thinking?

saeranv 11y ago
Damn, you're the first person I've ever downvoted, and it occurred accidently while trying to upvote you, sorry! To your comment, I'm sure it's possible. But you may want to also ask if it's worth to add to the cognitive overload of behaving rationally, while also fighting our innate tendency to think in terms of narratives. I think narrative/metaphorical rationale is actually a very useful cheat to (a) communicate effectively to others and (b) rewire your own behaviours.
- thedevil 11y ago
  I up voted him/her to compensate. Also his/her comment was not bad.
spacehome 11y ago
That's a brilliant distillation of some of the trouble I've had communicating with "regular people". For instance, when everyone is concerned about the risk du juour (lately terrorism), some easy research shows that the leading causes of death for young adults are car accidents, heart disease, cancer, and suicide, and those are where you should be putting all your nervous energy. Terrorism isn't even a blip on the radar, but because of news coverage, people have trouble immediately recalling personalized narratives.
jamii 11y ago
I meant quite the opposite. I'm aware that it's very hard to read something sticky and not end up implicitly believing it. Sticky accurate ideas are great - it's an efficient use of the hardware. Non-sticky inaccurate ideas are mostly harmless. But sticky inaccurate ideas are dangerous and invasive, so if I notice something is sticky it instantly puts me on guard. And if I can't find the underlying evidence to convince myself that it is accurate I get worried about what kind of ideas I've just allowed into my mind.