Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain

Useful Delusions

The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain

2021

Ratings1

Average rating5

15

Seemed like the perfect choice to read immediately after [b:Why Fish Don't Exist 50887097 Why Fish Don't Exist A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life Lulu Miller https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565526670l/50887097.SY75.jpg 71431307], ¿que no? — and it was. The two complement each other nicely, albeit oh-so-depressingly. Basically, it sucks to be a realist, and humanity is doomed.If you've been paying attention, there's little new material in this book. What's new and interesting and freaky and disturbing is Vedantam's final take-home: that we can't fight superstition or delusion (which I've long known) so we should find ways to work with it instead. And that's just too discouraging to contemplate so I'm just going to hope that some Charismatic Enlightened Despot reads this book, takes it to heart, and fixes things. Because otherwise we're done for.

May 14, 2021Report this review