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I'm a little torn-- I feel like I've read a lot of the stories from the psych section before, probably in _Freakanonics_ because I'm not a regular reader of pop economics texts, and it creates a(n unfounded?) suspicion that if you need to refer to one anecdote whenever you try to demonstrate a point, that one story is more exceptional than representative. I also felt like the actual wonky policy sections of this book-- the section on school choice, malpractice reform, and marriage-- were the weakest chapters here, despite the fact that I think they are the reason the book exists. Or something like that; I'd mostly be willing to attribute those sections to editorial edict except, well, without them the book lacks any purpose.
So what's good about it? I really think that the writers are very forthright about their biases, and have a clear and very convincing sense of how they arrived at their methods. The last sections of the book, when they respond to critics, and even their cursory 2-page "Third Way" essay are tight and well-argued. Parts of this book I'd totally teach to freshman students wondering about argument. Also, some of the stories, even if I've heard them before, are still good. And I think their core ideal, which I take to be an increase in transparency, and a general willingness to be open to all kinds of ideas (it'd be false, I think, to claim they are independent or non-partisan, but they do seem genuinely open to criticism by the other side, and to good ideas wherever they come from). And finally, I feel like I have a slightly better understanding of the work my colleagues in the business dept do, and just as important, something to talk to them about, a battery of provocative ideas and challenges.
So what's good about it? I really think that the writers are very forthright about their biases, and have a clear and very convincing sense of how they arrived at their methods. The last sections of the book, when they respond to critics, and even their cursory 2-page "Third Way" essay are tight and well-argued. Parts of this book I'd totally teach to freshman students wondering about argument. Also, some of the stories, even if I've heard them before, are still good. And I think their core ideal, which I take to be an increase in transparency, and a general willingness to be open to all kinds of ideas (it'd be false, I think, to claim they are independent or non-partisan, but they do seem genuinely open to criticism by the other side, and to good ideas wherever they come from). And finally, I feel like I have a slightly better understanding of the work my colleagues in the business dept do, and just as important, something to talk to them about, a battery of provocative ideas and challenges.
I have two problem with this book. The first is the book isn't what it's title leads you to believe. It won't help you learn how to make better decisions but rather tells us the way we are being manipulated and how we can manipulate others if we find ourselves in a position to do something. Second, the philosophical underpinning of the book is Liberatarian Paternalism. I'm not a Liberatarian at all so I disagreed with many of the book's conclusions. Since it feels like the book says over and over, " blah, blah, blah, Liberatarian Paternalism, blah, blah, blah... " I feel like the authors should feel lucky with the two stars I am giving.
While outdated a good review of the insights that brought its authors the Nobel Prize in Economics for revolutionizing the field by incorporating actual human behavior into the analysis.
I listened to this in audio book. I made it through 9 hours and 20 minutes. I had 2 hours left to go and I could not do it. I would say it’s pretty sufficient to read a couple of chapter and be done with it. It’s just ramming example after example in your head. I just couldn’t do it. Bored. So bored. Even the author reading it sounded bored. Sorry not sorry.
Thought provoking and interesting...I skimmed a good bit about health insurance and such because it just started to feel repetitive, but well-worth the read overall. Not surprisingly, I think Thaler has gone on to win the Nobel Prize for economics or something impressive like that.
Great book
The general contents are great. But newer examples could be great. Also including examples of apps and tools would be great
The general contents are great. But newer examples could be great. Also including examples of apps and tools would be great
I wish I could give this book 2.5 stars, because I feel like I am exactly in between "it was okay" and "i liked it." i think it is an interesting read if you don't have anything else that you're working on. the more i read, the more i wondered how much of a background in human behavior the authors have. i'm not sure that i totally agree with the ways that they predict people will act or the arguments that some of these nudges aren't essentially dictating behavior (if we are, in fact, employing them because we think we know how people will make their choices). However, I did think that a lot of the ideas included were interesting and do raise some very interesting questions about how people make decisions (i.e., i'm not sure that they know, but i don't know either!). I don't know that I'd pressure anyone to read this, but I certainly wouldn't discourage it.
Thoroughly enjoyed. More practical and applicable then "thinking fast and slow" but covers some of the same ground.
Better is good
Better is good
Interesting if you already find the topic interesting. Definitely some sections that are best skimmed.
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced