Why we make mistakes
how we look without seeing, forget things in seconds, and are all pretty sure we are way above average
by Joseph T. Hallinan · first published 2009
60% recommend40% neutral
We forget our passwords. We pay too much to go to the gym. We think we'd be happier if we lived in California (we wouldn't), and we think we should stick with our first answer on tests (we shouldn't). Why do we make mistakes? And could we do a little better?We human beings have design flaws. Our eyes play tricks on us, our stories change in the retelling, and most of us are fairly sure we're way above average. In Why We Make Mistakes, journalist Joseph T. Hallinan sets out to explore the captivating science of human error--how we think, see, remember, and forget, and how this sets us up for wh
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…being stupid. There are whole books on the subject. http://www.amazon.com/Why-Smart-People-Can-Stupid/dp/0300101... http://www.amazon.com/Blunder-Smart-People-Make-Decisions/dp... http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Make-Mistakes-Without/dp/076792... http://www.amazon.com/Sway-Irresistible-Pull-Irrational-Beha... http://www.amazon.com/Predictably-Irrational-Revised-Expande... All we can do about that here on HN is take other…
on “The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity” ↗I've never met a person that didn't have some level of bullshit going on. We all do it, so by extensions all our group efforts end up doing it. The book "why we make mistakes" has a good explanation based on how our mind works why it's part of the human experience to peddle a load of crock.
on “Bullshit” ↗Don Norman's "The Design Of Everyday Things" was very eye-opening for me. It introduced me to a lot of ideas about the human brain, and about how/why we make mistakes. This will sound stupid, but that book was the first time I encountered the idea that a brain and just straight up miscalculate and mak a mistake. No reason, no explanation. Just your thinking meat did…
on “Ask HN: What are the most eye-opening textbooks you have ever read?” ↗Why We Make Mistakes: How We Look Without Seeing, Forget Things in Seconds, and Are All Pretty Sure We Are Way Above Average
on “Ask HN: Critical Thinking Books for Kids” ↗…especially if you know anything about sports, which I don't, but still enjoy reading) Who : the A method for hiring (This is a good one for helping to find talented people to join your team, short easy read) Why we make mistakes : how we look without seeing, forget things in seconds, and are all pretty sure we are way above average (haven't started reading yet)
on “Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?” ↗