The Art of Choosing

This book, about how we choose, is a good combination of science and interesting stories. Anyone who likes science will probably think this is not really detailed enough, but for the rest of us, it give a really good understanding of the science behind what our brain does when we are faced with a decision. ( )

The book is really interesting. I learned a lot about choices and biases, and was quite surprised about the results of some studies. The downside was the feeling that i was readiing a series of articles than a coherent narrative by the author. May be i should read it once more to find that. Also the author was more interested in presenting the dilemmas and how people behaved in those situations rather than giving us some direction for better choices. May be it was author's intention to just present these and leave the conclusions or lessons to the reader. Overall, a good book worth reading. ( )

Purports to be something like Gladwell or Freakanomics--applied social science-- but it's very well padded and full of generalizations (about *all* Americans, for example, when maybe the view of new immigrants or second generation or certain ethnic sub-groups would make more sense.) There are lots of problems with jumping to conclusions from survey responses, even more assuming that respondents in different cultures and countries attach the same meanings to questions.You really have to do interviews and probe people to figure out what they feel and how strongly.

Have you ever noticed that when anyone repeatedly makes comparisons with Sweden (as this writer does), they never mention (don't know? ) that the population is less than 10 million? There are more illegal immigrants in the US than that. Southern California's population, with so many Chinese, Latino, Iranian and Armenian immigrants, is much bigger. Wouldn't it make more sense to compare Sweden to Minnesota or the New York metro area, which has a similar population? Except 40 percent of NYC were born outside the US..

For those looking personal insight a little short of self-help, Stumbling Toward Happiness is far superior. The consumer psychology and marketing bits here--like how people are more likely to buy something if there aren't too many choices--is interesting and potentially useful. But you have to wade through a lot of matter and unsupported generalizations to reach it. Maybe start with the bibliography. ( )

Started but didn't finish - just wasn't the right time to read it. ( )

Do we really have control just because we have a choice? Is choice always good? This book explores these questions and takes many variables like culture, politics, environment, amount of choices etc. have on how one chooses and if choice is the best option. She also made it personal by including her story which is very interesting on its own. Great book on choosing. ( )