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shighley's review against another edition
3.0
Steven Johnson gave one of the best keynotes I've seen at the ISTE conference, and I read one of his books after that. His "chance favors the connected mind" TED Talk mirrors that keynote. This book just seemed like too much of a jumble to me; a love letter to the novel Middlemarch combined with the hunt for Osama bin Laden? It was interesting to learn about Benjamin Franklin and Charles Darwin making decision-aiding checklists, and I definitely have some takeaways from the book. I thought it was interesting that I started this the day after I went to a conference that talked about the glaciers-- and then this book started with them. During the week I listened to the book, I saw Bill Nye in person, who also spoke about Frank Drake and Arrecibo, more connections. I also attended the "Dawn or Doom" conference at Purdue University, and heard futurist Thomas Frey of the daVinci Institute; there were some parallels with decision-making there as well.
As a librarian and avid reader, I absolutely felt vindicated by Johnson's idea that we need to read more novels, and his advocacy for the value of daydreaming hit home as well. And, yes, I wanted to learn more about George Eliot/Mary Anne Evans and did some research on her. But, overall I just felt like the book jumped around too much.
As a librarian and avid reader, I absolutely felt vindicated by Johnson's idea that we need to read more novels, and his advocacy for the value of daydreaming hit home as well. And, yes, I wanted to learn more about George Eliot/Mary Anne Evans and did some research on her. But, overall I just felt like the book jumped around too much.
bobbo49's review against another edition
4.0
The first two thirds of this book are excellent: a deep look at the processes of decision-making, from the perspective of individuals, groups, societies. Using the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden as an example of deeply conceived, analyzed, and decided (mapping, predicting, deciding) processes, Johnson describes an excellent and useful process for decision-making at a macro and micro level; I found the descriptions very thought-provoking for my personal "big" life decision-making (changing jobs, moving, retiring, etc.) Unfortunately, having used George Elliot's Middlemarch as an example of personal decision-making throughout the book, Johnson then focuses the last two-thirds of the book on Middlemarch, George Elliott's personal life, and his own decision to leave New York and move to California, distracting from much of the big picture he has provided earlier. Overall, an interesting read, nonetheless.
tara77's review against another edition
4.0
Started off really well. The last few chapters were a bit verbose.
peterme's review against another edition
3.0
This is a perfectly find book on the subject of decision making, specifically decisions that warrant broader research, planning, and real considered thinking through. (As opposed to quick decisions, of the type addressed in Gladwell's _Blink_).
That said, this book came across as perfunctory, and, coming from Steven Johnson, thus disappointing. I've come to expect greater insight, stranger (and more revealing) connections, a more compelling narrative thrust.
There are a collection of about a dozen tools and concepts for decision-making, each illustrated with a story (sometimes a real world example, some times drawn from fiction).
Having a single work that catalogs these tools is handy, and the main reason I gave the book a generally positive review. But, it also felt that Johnson lost steam at some point in writing this book, and pushed on to flesh out his outline, but did little more. The book lacks the spark and energy of his earlier work, suggesting a lack of passion in telling these tales.
That said, this book came across as perfunctory, and, coming from Steven Johnson, thus disappointing. I've come to expect greater insight, stranger (and more revealing) connections, a more compelling narrative thrust.
There are a collection of about a dozen tools and concepts for decision-making, each illustrated with a story (sometimes a real world example, some times drawn from fiction).
Having a single work that catalogs these tools is handy, and the main reason I gave the book a generally positive review. But, it also felt that Johnson lost steam at some point in writing this book, and pushed on to flesh out his outline, but did little more. The book lacks the spark and energy of his earlier work, suggesting a lack of passion in telling these tales.
marianne4aura's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
1.75
This felt like an unnecessary history lesson. The ideas were very basic. Overall a very underwhelming book, that is not particularly scientific in stem sciences or the humanities and could have been an okay book, if 2/3 of the book was scrapped. I would advise to read actually classical philosophy books, than this.
knitter22's review against another edition
3.0
Farsighted is an interesting book, but it seems to mainly illustrate just how very complex decision-making can be. These are not the single-variable, binary, yes or no type of decisions, but instead the complex and complicated type where changing types of variables are considered. Many of these decisions that matter the most are group or societal ones; I had hoped for more focus on individual decisions.
chukg's review against another edition
4.0
Good and a fast read, lots of stuff about Middlemarch and the raid that killed bin Laden. Worth looking at if you are interested in how to make big complicated decisions successfully.
amarti's review against another edition
4.0
I love Steven Johnson. I love the things he thinks about and the ways he approaches the world. This book discusses ways we should should approach big, complex decisions.
Two points resonated. 1) “Homogeneous groups - whether they are united by ethnic backgrounds, gender or some other worldview like politics - tend to come to decisions too quickly.” In other words, diversity leads to better decisions. 2) Johnson points out the necessity for a “full spectrum analysis” to understand the problem from many variables. One of his suggestions for capturing that full spectrum, was surprising and old fashioned. Johnson recommends the novel as the oldest and best way to gain new and unique perspectives and to simulate different/complex experiences.
Two points resonated. 1) “Homogeneous groups - whether they are united by ethnic backgrounds, gender or some other worldview like politics - tend to come to decisions too quickly.” In other words, diversity leads to better decisions. 2) Johnson points out the necessity for a “full spectrum analysis” to understand the problem from many variables. One of his suggestions for capturing that full spectrum, was surprising and old fashioned. Johnson recommends the novel as the oldest and best way to gain new and unique perspectives and to simulate different/complex experiences.
howardgo's review against another edition
5.0
Well-researched and informative book that lays out how to make long-term decisions. Goes much deeper than the simple pros and cons list. I particularly loved how he connected the value of reading and learning from literary fiction. Enjoyable and educational.