Kluge: The Haphazard Construction of the Human Mind by Gary F. Marcus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really like the engineering bent here as it makes sense from my life experience: human brainpower has necessarily evolved as a kluge and can be analyzed as an imperfect system. Beware the author's opinions; if you are pro-Bush or creationist, you may not like his asides and assumptions upon the reader. Having analyzed the system, the author gives us a handy set of steps to avoid our brain's inefficiencies:
1. Whenever possible, consider alternative hypotheses.
2. Reframe the question.
3. Always remember that correlation does not entail causation.
4. Never forget the size of your sample.
5. Anticipate your own impulsivity and pre-commit.
6. Don't just set goals. Make contingency plans.
7. Whenever possible, don't make important decisions when you are tired or have other things on your mind.
8. Always weigh benefits against costs. (opportunity costs)
9. Imagine that your decisions may be spot-checked.
10. Distance yourself.
11. Beware the vivid, the personal, and the anecdotal.
12. Pick your spots. (Reserve your most careful decision
making for the choices that matter most.)
13. Try to be rational.
View all my reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment