This Will Make You Smarter: New Scientific Concepts to Improve Your Thinking

Description

This Will Make You Smarter: New Scientific Concepts to Improve Your Thinking is a thought-provoking anthology edited by John Brockman, featuring contributions from over 150 leading scientists, philosophers, and thinkers. The book compiles brief, accessible essays that introduce novel scientific concepts designed to enhance our cognitive toolkit and improve decision-making in everyday life. 📘 Overview The central question posed to contributors was: "What scientific concept would improve everybody's cognitive toolkit?" The resulting essays cover a diverse range of topics, from psychology and neuroscience to economics and sociology. Each piece presents a concept that challenges conventional thinking and encourages readers to reconsider how they perceive the world and make decisions. The Atlantic +2 The Independent +2 Tantor +2 💡 Key Concepts Highlighted Focusing Illusion (Daniel Kahneman): This concept explains how people tend to overestimate the impact of specific events or experiences on their overall happiness, leading to skewed decision-making. Einstellung Effect (Evgeny Morozov): Refers to the cognitive bias that limits problem-solving abilities due to the reliance on familiar solutions, hindering creativity and innovation. Path Dependence (John McWhorter): Describes how historical decisions and established practices can influence current choices, often leading to suboptimal outcomes. Umwelt (David Eagleman): The idea that each organism perceives the world differently, emphasizing the limitations of human perception and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives. 🧠 Practical Applications The essays aim to provide readers with tools to think more critically and effectively. By introducing concepts like the focusing illusion and path dependence, the book encourages individuals to recognize cognitive biases and make more informed decisions. Additionally, understanding the umwelt concept can foster empathy and open-mindedness by highlighting the subjective nature of perception. aliveontheshelves.com +1 Edge +1 The Atlantic 📚 Reception Critics have praised the book for its intellectual depth and accessibility. The collection is noted for its ability to distill complex scientific ideas into concise, engaging essays that are both informative and thought-provoking. As highlighted by The Atlantic, the book serves as a "powerful toolkit of meta-cognition," offering readers new ways to think about thinking itself. The Atlantic 🔍 Conclusion "This Will Make You Smarter" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in enhancing their cognitive abilities and understanding the science behind human thought processes. By presenting a diverse array of concepts from various disciplines, the book challenges readers to expand their intellectual horizons and apply scientific thinking to everyday life.