Saturday, September 03, 2005

Blink

Blink is almost entirely about describing instances of snap judgements that either assisted or led people astray in their decision making. Most of the point that the author tries to tell is already known. Yes, our snap judgments are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. Yes, our considered judgments are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. Thou the author tries to explain things with scientific experements, they are just conclussions that we madewhile we were growing up. However I liked a particular chapter regarding Warren Harding Effect that happens in our sub consious. Marketers can manipulate our first impressions, high arousal moments make us "mind blind," focusing on the wrong cue leaves us vulnerable to "the Warren Harding Effect". That is instant dislike to people whoare ugly and a soft corner to a person who is good looking. Also solutions to overcome warren harding effect. Excluding few good chapters this book is airy nothing.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it is natural that we like people who are better looking and better put together. Even at intellectual mecca like Stanford University in the midst of Silicon Valley I see very trendy students and working professionals.

I think it is important to look good, or at least the best we can. Why? Because that is the fact of life.

Life is a package deal. You need to have a great mind, good body and social skill. analogy: can't just be a great boxer when one is competing in a kickboxing or no holds bar matches. The market economy is a full contact sport.

Praveen said...

Very interesting observation, something that we tend to take for granted. I hope this particular book wasn't more of a self-help trash.
I somehow feel that it is really very difficult to write a really effective analytical book on such matters. I dunno what, but certainly there is some aspect of psychology that just makes it more intriguing and such books bland!

Chandan V said...

You are right there praveen, its indeed very difficult to write a really efective analytical book and keep the readers interested.

Anonymous said...

Also try "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. It is a self-help book that is narrated like a story. Awesome read.