For those who think they are in control this is a real counterblast showing just how irrational and delusional our brains can be. Loads of mindboggling examples, anecdotes and research keep this entertaining, informative – and quite scary book zipping along.
How many of your Facebook friends do you think you know? Do you think you'd rush to a stranger's help when no one else would? Do you think you choose which product to buy based on whether you like it? Do you think you know why you procrastinate? The truth is, you're probably wrong. You are not so smart. In fact, you're pretty irrational, just like everyone else. But that's OK - because that's all part of being human. Based on the popular blog, You Are Not So Smart explores in 48 short chapters the assorted ways we mislead ourselves everyday. In this pithy celebration of self-delusion, prepare for a whirlwind tour of the latest research in psychology, and to discover finally why we never get round to our New Year resolutions.
'In an Idiocracy dominated by cable TV bobbleheads, government propagandists, and corporate spinmeisters, many of us know that mass ignorance is a huge problem. Now, thanks to David McRaney's mind-blowing book, we can finally see the scientific roots of that problem. Anybody still self-aware enough to wonder why society now worships willful stupidity should read this book.' -- David Sirota, author of Back to Our Future: How the 1980s Explain the World We Live in Now--Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Everything
Author
About David McRaney
Self-described psychology nerd David McRaney is a journalist and twice-recipient of the William Randolph Hearst Award. He runs the popular blog Youarenotsosmart.com. This, his first book, was a run-away success in the US; Penguin US have already commissioned the sequel for a six-figure advance.
