by Daniel Gilbert
8/10
Key Ideas:
We are often unable to predict our future actions, tastes, and preferences.
Before changing careers or any other big decision, talk to someone that is already where you want to be.
Hedonic adaptation – our reaction to any repeated event reduces with repetition. To avoid this, add variety or time.
Other interesting notes:
People who have experienced the things we wish for don’t express the level of happiness that we hope exists.
All claims of happiness are subjective.
We like to daydream because the mere dream itself can be a joy.
If we lose our ability to control things, we become unhappy, helpless, hopeless, and depressed.
If we don’t have the opportunity to predict our future it is more scary than if we can predict bad future.
Within a few weeks even earthquake survivors tend to return to previous levels of optimism.
Increases in income/wealth only have a significant impact on happiness up to $100k/year.
Wonderful things are especially wonderful the first time they happen, but their wonderfulness wanes with repetition. (Think about the first time your love said “I love you”, versus the 100th time).
Time and variety are two ways to avoid habituation.
When we imagine the future (or recall the past), it is far less imaginative than we think.
Our mental picture will be very much like the present and our “imagined” feelings will be strongly influenced by the current state of mind.
People feel more certain that they will win a lottery if they can control the number on their ticket, and they feel more confident that they will win a dice toss if they can throw the dice themselves.
When people find it easy to imagine an event, they overestimate the likelihood that it will occur.
You should always compare products based on value, never on past price.
People prefer a job that pays $30k, then $40k, then $50k – rather than $60k, then $50k, then $40k.
We would drive across town to save $50 on a $100 radio, but not to save $50 on a $100,000 car.
Ask for a unrealistically large cost (anchor) before asking what you really want.
Add a very expensive option to your list of products, so others look better in comparison.
When our experiences make us unhappy, our psychological immune system cooks facts and shifts blame to offer us a more positive view.
When facts challenge our point of view, we scrutinize them more keenly than those that support our opinions.
People pay more attention to things that are present and fail to see things that are not present.
Thoughts on the book:
Great book with a lot of good ideas. Some of the studies probably fail to replicate, but hey… Funny author, further evidenced by his TED talk.
Longer summary/notes: Sivers, DS, JC
If you like this, you’ll probably like: Principles, Author’s TED Talk, books
Leo :) 