You Are Not So Smart - David McRaney

You Are Not So Smart

By David McRaney

  • Release Date: 2011-10-27
  • Genre: Humor
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 140 Ratings

Description

An entertaining illumination of the stupid beliefs that make us feel wise.
You believe you are a rational, logical being who sees the world as it really is, but journalist David McRaney is here to tell you that you're as deluded as the rest of us. But that's OK- delusions keep us sane. You Are Not So Smart is a celebration of self-delusion. It's like a psychology class, with all the boring parts taken out, and with no homework.

Based on the popular blog of the same name, You Are Not So Smart collects more than 46 of the lies we tell ourselves everyday, including:
Dunbar's Number - Humans evolved to live in bands of roughly 150 individuals, the brain cannot handle more than that number. If you have more than 150 Facebook friends, they are surely not all real friends. Hindsight bias - When we learn something new, we reassure ourselves that we knew it all along. Confirmation bias - Our brains resist new ideas, instead paying attention only to findings that reinforce our preconceived notions. Brand loyalty - We reach for the same brand not because we trust its quality but because we want to reassure ourselves that we made a smart choice the last time we bought it.
Packed with interesting sidebars and quick guides on cognition and common fallacies, You Are Not So Smart is a fascinating synthesis of cutting-edge psychology research to turn our minds inside out.

Reviews

  • Great book

    5
    By LiciHouse
    Found myself laughing many times.
  • Great book

    5
    By Demderon
    This was a great book, and it got me to read and learn more about the world of psychology and the human mind.
  • Excellent

    5
    By stevengary77
    Great book. Just read it.
  • One of the best books I've read in a long time!

    5
    By CamDesigns
    I could not put this book down.. Extremely interesting and a very fast read. So much information so thoughtfully organized. Highly recommend this!
  • Excellent

    5
    By Cinderblock1775
    Well put together and very informational
  • Great Read!

    5
    By petesimple
    You will learn something new. Read this book!
  • Great!

    5
    By Oh That One Guy
    Really makes you think about thinking... And not so much in a critical thinking way, but more of a "oh! That's why I did that," kind of way. Thanks!
  • Excellent Read!

    5
    By Tbks1214
    This book helped me to see the world in a new & positive light.. it is an excellent read & I would definitely recommend purchasing it if you are reading this & unsure.
  • You are Not So Smart

    4
    By OdinsJoke
    Well…the premise of the book intrigues me. Perhaps I am not so smart. But I am now buying the book to find out. I now think I am being scammed. So perhaps I am not so smart as I am now thinking I am being fooled. But if I were smart and not so ethical….I would just find a free download and not pay any money to find out that I am dumb. Interesting cunumdrum I now face. But I think I will go ethical and legal and buy the book. Perhaps I can learn how to teach family and friends that they are not so smart and give me some money. LOL
  • Smart

    5
    By Zeroxero
    After reading this I feel I'm not intelligent enough to write a review but here it goes... It was gewd!

Comments