The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less
Ratings25
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings25
Average rating3.7
In the spirit of Alvin Toffler’s Future Shock, a social critique of our obsession with choice, and how it contributes to anxiety, dissatisfaction and regret. This paperback includes a new P.S. section with author interviews, insights, features, suggested readings, and more.Whether we’re buying a pair of jeans, ordering a cup of coffee, selecting a long-distance carrier, applying to college, choosing a doctor, or setting up a 401(k), everyday decisions--both big and small--have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented.We assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In the long run, this can lead to decision-making paralysis, anxiety, and perpetual stress. And, in a culture that tells us that there is no excuse for falling short of perfection when your options are limitless, too much choice can lead to clinical depression.In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains at what point choice--the hallmark of individual freedom and self-determination that we so cherish--becomes detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. In accessible, engaging, and anecdotal prose, Schwartz shows how the dramatic explosion in choice--from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family, and individual needs--has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution. Schwartz also shows how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse.By synthesizing current research in the social sciences, Schwartz makes the counterintuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives. He offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on the important ones and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.
Reviews with the most likes.
3.5 stars.
I read a lot of similar books, so the first 3/4 of the book felt like a uninteresting recap of things I already know, citing studies I've already read. (If you read enough popular productivity/psychology stuff you learn everyone cites the same people).
However, the last several chapters had some good points, and the very last chapter strategies on coping with choice. 1/2 star for those.
If you're skeptical of his premise, go ahead and read this. If you already have a grip on our society's curse of decision fatigue and want a book in this realm, I'd suggest Thinking Fast & Slow by Daniel Kahneman, or for a less clinical and more practical option, Decisive by Chip & Dan Heath.
This was a very interesting read, though I was skeptical at first if the topic could warrant over 250 pages. It absolutely could, and it was interesting throughout the whole book. The content was easy to understand and very believable, I would recommend it to anyone.
I found the statistics here to be well explained, and enjoyed learning about the psychology behind it. I thought the examples were well done, but I did feel that this book was somewhat repetitive. Overall an important topic to consider.
