More and more research—from behavioral economists and psychologists—is pointing out ways in which our Renaissance-era views of human cognition are a bit off base. It is one thing to say cogito ergo sum. It is quite another to claim we cogit very well. Perhaps the best-known of the new works is Predictably Irrational, by Dan Ariely. Others include Sway and Nudge, and maybe Blink and Squawk. And definitely Yes. (See a pattern in these titles?).
However, the opening story in Ariely’s Predictably Irrational raises an interesting question. To whom are these books addressed?
Does Convincing People Change Their Actions?
He tells a fascinating story of having suffered ..... continue reading
