I hope you’ll forgive me for reviewing this separately when I had it in October’s book review but I’ve finished it and just HAD to share more in-depth why I liked this book so much!
This is a book about how we can know something without knowing how we know, in the blink of an eye. It shows that those who are good at ‘thin-slicing’ – filtering a few facts from an overwhelming amount of variables- can often be better decision makers than those that spend a lot of time gathering information and deliberating.
Here are a few snippets that i felt really summed up the point of the book, “This practice of inferring the motivations and intentions of others is classic thin-slicing. It is picking up on subtle, fleeting cues in order to read someone’s mind – and there is almost no other impulse so basic and so automatic and at which, most of the time, we so effortlessly excel.” page 195
“When making a decision of minor importance, I have always found it advantageous to consider all the pros and cons. In vital matters, however, such as the choice of a mate or a profession, the decision should come from the unconscious, from somewhere within ourselves.” page 269
We all make snap judgments without realizing it – but I had no idea how much they can affect our lives. Writing that, I guess it sounds silly. But it’s just like with our formed opinions that we know about, only these happen so fast and without our being aware. Our snap judgments can be good, and they can be bad- so pay attention to them.
I am glad I was able to read this – it has made me pause and think about how I respond to things. My OH is reading this for his marketing class this term (finally, a college book that i was excited about!) and he said the author’s got some TED talks! Once I’ve listened to them, I’ll link them up here.
All in all, I recommend this book as it’s one that makes you think (no pun intended there) about what you, well….think.
(I can tell I’m getting tired. I’m thinking in very uninspired language. Naptime perhaps?)
I want to read his first book, The Tipping Point, next!
~Laura
the start of a good life 