You are not so smart

Name: You are not so smart
ISBN: 1592406599

by David McRaney · first published 2011

8mentions

7recommended by

8HN commenters

2011–2025first – last mentioned

88% recommend13% neutral

Why HN recommends it

Accessible introduction to cognitive biases and self-deception, backed by references to the underlying studies; suits readers new to psychology and anyone wanting to question their own thinking.

Summarised by Claude from recommending comments

Psychology & Behavior

An entertaining illumination of the stupid beliefs that make us feel wise, based on the popular blog of the same name. Whether you’re deciding which smartphone to purchase or which politician to believe, you think you are a rational being whose every decision is based on cool, detached logic. But here’s the truth: You are not so smart. You’re just as deluded as the rest of us—but that’s okay, because being deluded is part of being human. Growing out of David McRaney’s popular blog, You Are Not So Smart reveals that every decision we make, every thought we contemplate, and every emotio

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Mentions per year

What Hacker News says

simonbarker87 · Feb 18, 2013 · Recommends

If your not heavily into psychology but having a passing interest I can highly recommend the book "You are not so smart" http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1851689397/ref=as_li_qf_s... (aff link) It is an excellent read and very eye opening
on “Why We Can't Tell Good Wine From Bad (2011)” ↗
hugoahlberg · Nov 26, 2011 · Recommends

I'm currently enjoying the recently released 'You Are Not So Smart' by David McRaney: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052RE5MU?ie=UTF8&tag=... I will never trust my brain again.
on “Ask HN: What books to read on developing mental models and increasing cognition?” ↗
jpalomaki · Jan 1, 2015 · Recommends

"You are not so smart" by David McRane touches the same topic. It goes through the long list of ways we are fooling our selves or "not being as smart as we think we are". And for each case he is also referencing the studies…
on “A Magician’s Best Trick: Revealing a Basic Human Bias” ↗
gmuslera · Apr 24, 2020 · Recommends

…predict the future, or for what it worths what I known. The selfish gene from Richard Dawkins. And upside-down look at evolution. Sometimes totally different reasons explain better what seems obvious. You are not so smart from David McRaney. An easy to read introduction to cognitive bias. They are not mean to be accurate or the best on their kind, but they did caused some changes on me.
on “Ask HN: Books that changed the way you look at the world” ↗
dirtybirdnj · Oct 19, 2023 · Recommends

You are Not So Smart by David McRaney. It started a journey of self reflection and introspection that I'm still working on to this day but extremely thankful for. It changed the way I look at myself and the actions of other…
on “Ask HN: Which non-fiction books had the biggest impact on you?” ↗
jkmcf · Aug 4, 2025 · Recommends

Schooling should require everyone to read "You Are Not So Smart". https://www.amazon.com/dp/1592406599
on “What fact do you wish everyone understood?” ↗
samweinberg · Dec 5, 2013 · Recommends

It might be "You Are Not So Smart" by David McRaney.
on “List of cognitive biases” ↗
happycamper22 · Oct 20, 2023 · Mentions

…imbalances. Marx diagnoses the capitalist system as one in which the rich get richer at the expense of the working class. The book has been influential in shaping socialist and communist thought. * "You are Not So Smart" by David McRaney (1 mention) * Summary: This book explores various cognitive biases, logical fallacies, and memory missteps that humans commonly succumb to. The author uses humor and personal anecdotes…
on “Ask HN: Which non-fiction books had the biggest impact on you?” ↗