Comments on: The Paradox of Choice, by Barry Schwartz

by: EB

Mon, 31 Jan 2005 08:19:56 +0000

I just read Blink today, and had already Paradox. The two books are definitely in a conversation with each other...in fact, they both cite the same jam study. Whereas Schwartz focuses on decision-making behaviors that are designed to lead to greater overall happiness, Gladwell is dealing more with making better decisions for the sake of better decisions. (He focuses more on some cases where being right matters more than being satisfied with the decision, which is one of the areas where I think Paradox comes up short. The case of of a cop deciding to shoot/not shoot is the extreme example.

by: Beth

Sat, 22 Jan 2005 08:14:59 +0000

I’ll have to read the Schwartz book–thanks. Have you read Juliet Schor’s Overworked American? She talks about some of these same issues & relates them to our declining leisure time. Highly recommended.

by: Theresa

Wed, 19 Jan 2005 18:44:56 +0000

the husband and I heard the author on NPR talking about maximizers and satisficers. I had one of those moments of clarity in which I realized that I indeed had unecessary stress from being a maximizer (I’ve had numerous Home Despot meltdowns to prove it). I haven’t even read the darn book and it has changed my shopping behavior. thanks for reminding me of the title.

by: Becky

Wed, 19 Jan 2005 16:51:01 +0000

Actually, one thing I liked about The Paradox of Choice is that it’s not at all about anybody’s mystical wisdom. It’s common sense backed up with psychological studies.

If you already have common sense (and for those who don’t know IT Security Dude, I can assure you that he’s got his shit together), scoff all you want, but some people are slow learners and need some occaisional perspective.

That being said, I’m skeptical of Malcolm Gladwell and his time slicing thing. That sounds like mystical wisdom. Maybe Mike will review Blink on his site and prove me wrong.

Oh, and IT Security Dude–paperback all the way. Easier to beat up and more portable.

by: IT Security Dude

Wed, 19 Jan 2005 00:00:09 +0000

Self-help books. Snake oil for the new millennium. The Paradox of this particular Choice? There’s no better way to waste money!

By the way, you might be maximizing by waiting for the paperback, but have you considered the cost-benefit of having to wait before empowering yourself to absorb Mr. Schwartz’s mystical wisdom? In addition, hardback books hold up better than paperbacks. Then again, they take up more room. So many choices. What do I do?

PASS A MUH QUA DEE ! ! !

by: mike

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 18:12:16 +0000

Yes, I got Blink over the weekend, and am already planning on going to his reading when he swings through town.

by: Becky

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 17:06:43 +0000

Hopeless.

Oh, and Clair–no disparaging Doug Glanville remark? I’m shocked!

by: Clair

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 16:41:22 +0000

What are you called if you start to look for something, see all the choices, get bored and decide to skip it and get a beer instead?

by: Becky

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:25:22 +0000

Thanks, Mike. I haven't read that article but will check it out. I actually thought of Gladwell when writing this entry because his new book on decision-making just came out: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking.

Blink is about the first two seconds of looking--the decisive glance that knows in an instant...Gladwell...campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. ...he persuades readers to think small and focus on the meaning of "thin slices" of behavior.

by: mike

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 07:33:58 +0000

Hi, Becky. Have you read Malcolm Gladwell’s article on why there are hundreds of styles of mustard but still basically only one ketchup?

http://gladwell.com/2004/2004_09_06_a_ketchup.html