In his landmark bestseller The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell redefined how we understand the world around us. Now, in Blink, he revolutionizes the way we understand the world within. Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant-in the blink of an eye-that actually aren't as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work-in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others?In Blink we meet the psychologist who has learned to predict whether a marriage will last, based on a few minutes of observing a couple; the tennis coach who knows when a player will double-fault before the racket even makes contact with the ball; the antiquities experts who recognize a fake at a glance. Here, too, are great failures of "blink": the election of Warren Harding; "New Coke"; and the shooting of Amadou Diallo by police. Blink reveals that great decision makers aren't those who process the most information or spend the most time deliberating, but those who have perfected the art of "thin-slicing"-filtering the very few factors that matter from an overwhelming number of variables. from product description
Blink is about fast thinking that occurs in the blink of an eye. Blink is aimed to find what occurs in the first two seconds of encountering something or performing a quick deed. It discusses numerous issues including scenarios when rapid judgments are good and bad, outside influences on our thinking, and misunderstandings regarding good decision making.
ReplyDeleteGladwell shows that there is as much value in decisions made in the blink of an eye as those made cautiously and deliberately. However, he also illustrates when quick decisions are not practical by using real life examples. He describes how rapid cognition is made through our unconscious thinking, which is very powerful but can be distracted or thrown off by outside influences. He discusses how we are usually unaware of these influences which can have a major indirect effect on our decisions. By controlling our surroundings and setting up the right mind frame one can educate and regulate their snap judgments and first impressions.
Throughout the book he continuously emphasizes that gathering and having a large amount of information doesn’t necessarily put you in a better position to make a decision. It’s the ability of the person to sift through information to find a pattern or correlation regarding the problem which makes a difference. He said “the key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding” (265). He gives numerous examples of how too much information can actually hinder us from making good decisions and how we desperately need to have more understanding. I agree with him that there is a huge gap between knowledge and understanding and we are often found drowning in a pool of knowledge with little understanding.
I feel Gladwell effectively conveys his thesis by illustrating his supporting points through the cause and effect method. He gives great examples and experiments which are captivating and appropriate for his arguments. He brilliantly incorporates them into each other to prove a point. Weaknesses of the book are not evident and are at the very most quite minimal. Gladwell covers all the possible areas, good and bad.
Blink expands our thinking about the mind and decision making by encouraging us to form connections we usually don’t make from two seemingly unrelated things. It adds value to the social science/psychological field by giving us insight into an important area of the mind we usually over look, the subconscious.
Among the thousands of books about careful decision making, Blink stands on its own. Many of these books deal with basic concepts on how to become better decision makers, but they exemplify this through lengthy thought processes. Blink cuts this process down into two seconds -in the blink of an eye. It seems that speed is the key to Malcolm Gladwell’s theories. For the duration of the book, Gladwell convinces us of his theories through well researched statistics. I think part of what makes Blink a popular seller, are the relatable and comprehendible examples. Anyone who reads this book can take its lessons and apply them to their own lives. The uniqueness of Gladwell’s book is unquestionably one of its strong attributes, and I think it has set the standard for books to come.
ReplyDeleteBlink is surely on the brink of neuroscience and psychology, but it’s not overly complex. An average person can pick this book off the shelf and become instantly hooked. Since the author’s arguments are so unique, more support from examples need to be provided. I found Gladwell managed supporting his theories well, but perhaps exceedingly so. Throughout the book, Gladwell’s examples become repetitive and some are loose ended. Considering Gladwell’s own theory of thin-slicing-“less is more”, he should slice his examples and keep his thesis clear. Most of these gathered statistics rely on guess work, and chance. However, this weakness also has a positive effect. The amount of flexibility Gladwell leaves for his readers allows them to apply what they learned in whichever way that suits them. I think this is what Gladwell wants. He has presented us with not the way that we think, but how we think, and with this he sets us on the path toward better decision making.
Blink, the radical book from the controversial author Malcolm Gladwell explores our sub-conscious ability to make accurate decisions in a matter of milliseconds. The aim of the book is quite simply to introduce the readers into the world of rapid cognition and to change the way we think about ourselves and the everyday decisions we make. It is supported within the book that these quick judgements are sometimes better than the decisions we make after thorough analysis, which is an incredibly shocking revelation. Using a variety of real-life examples and experiments (from the Pepsi Challenge to the Getty Kouros), Gladwell takes the readers into a whole new world and explores the power of our subconscious abilities and also its downfalls.
ReplyDeleteBlink sets out to show that our subconscious ability to interpret information in the blink of an eye is an incredible ability that we have not fully understood yet, and also that ability is not without its flaws as it takes the right experiences for split-second decision making (referred by Gladwell as "thin-slicing") to become truly effective. Gladwell manages to support this radical idea with convincing evidence, but the book is not without bias as it seems that the strengths of the "thin slicing" ability is explored in much further detail than the flaws. In order to introduce the concept of "thin slicing", Gladwell strives to impress upon readers the powers of our rapid cognitive abilities instead of taking a more balanced, critical approach to it.
The main weakness of Blink is the inconclusive ending where Gladwell fails to state his final view on the matter. This begs the question of what the purpose of the book really was. No matter how interesting the book had been, the failure to come to a clear conclusion makes Blink seem like a collection of detailed evidences that support and at times dismiss the effectiveness of our split-second decision making, leaving the readers not far from where they started.
Fortunately the strengths of this book outweighs its flaws. Gladwell successfully brings under the spotlight an everyday phenomenon that is rarely studied or discussed despite the fact that we as human beings have all experienced it. It is truly an eye-opener for many. Despite drawing information from the scientific community, it is written for the general audience and it hooks its readers, making it a great introduction to the study of the human mind.
“The first part of Blink is to convince you of a simple fact: decisions made very quickly can be every bit as good as decisions made cautiously and deliberately.” (p.14) Blink teaches us how to become better decision makers, and shows us when it is appropriate to rely on our subconscious thoughts.
ReplyDeleteOne of the main points in Blink is how decisions made in a short period of time can be just as good or even better than decisions that have been thought through carefully. This is referred to as thin slicing. Through many case studies Malcolm Gladwell shows us how his theory is true, and how thin slicing can fail us at times.
Gladwell argues, that our subconscious is a mighty backstage process. Through this process, we have the ability to sift through huge amounts of information and come to astonishingly rapid conclusions in the blink of an eye. He mentions that we don’t like to rely on our subconscious because we cannot understand how it works.
In a case study, Gladwell talks about the Getty Kouros. The Kouros are a rare statue, and this museum was offered to buy a Kouros statue that was in perfect condition by a dealer. The museum did an investigation to see if it was authentic, and after many months of studying the statue they closed the deal once they were convinced it was real. Later on, a few experts examined the statue, and right away, they concluded that something was off about this statue. The museum reopened the investigation and found out that the statue was not authentic. Through this one case study Gladwell shows us how the people who went with their subconscious, they thin sliced, knew right away that the statue was off.
Gladwell goes on to discuss in his book how our experiences alter the way we thin slice. “Our first impressions are generated by our experiences and our environment.” (p. 97)
Gladwell shows us a case study on Pepsi vs. Coke, this case study reveals how our snap judgments can fail us at times. Many people prefer Coke to Pepsi. So in this case study, people were given two cups, one cup contained Pepsi, and the other Coke, and the people were asked to take a sip from each cup. Most people said they preferred the taste of Pepsi in this blind taste test. This is because Pepsi has a much sweeter taste, so in that first sip when we are thin slicing many people will prefer Pepsi, but when asked to drink a whole case many preferred Coke because it was not as sweet. This is an example of how for some decisions it is better not to rely on our subconscious.
Overall, I found Blink to be an interesting book. It was full of detailed information with many case studies to back up Gladwells major points. Even though it was filled with lot’s of information I found Blink to be an easy read. One of the weaknesses I found with Blink was, its chapters were too long. I don’t think Blink is the greatest piece of literature ever written but it is a good piece of modern literature. It teaches us about an important skill that will help us in today’s world.
Captivating, intuitive, and fascinating! This was my first impression of the book Blink and this form of rapid cognition is exactly what Blink is all about. Our adaptive unconscious is “a system in which our brain reaches conclusions without immediately telling us that it is reaching conclusions” (Gladwell 10). It is a system capable of making decisions and judgments in the blink of an eye and based on very little information. Gladwell uses the term thin-slicing and defines it as “the ability of our unconscious to find patterns in situations and behavior based on very narrow slices of experience” (Gladwell 23). These decisions and judgments can be as good as those we make much more deliberately and spend time analyzing. “Blink is a book about those first two seconds” (Gladwell 8).
ReplyDeleteThe way in which you are reading this book review is being shaped by your adaptive unconscious. The information this part of our mind holds is hidden behind a locked door, which our conscious mind does not have access to, leaving us unaware of its enormous presence and impact on our behaviors, attitudes and lives. The thesis of Blink is simply that our unconscious mind has enormous powers and capabilities that only a select few people give thought to or knowingly put into action. Gladwell explores and reveals the secrets of our unconscious mind, pulling them out from behind their locked door. There are times, however, when our intuitive instincts should not be trusted and we must learn that we have the ability to control and educate our snap responses thereby shaping our unconscious mind.
This book engages readers from start to finish as it is filled with countless stories about intriguing subjects ranging from a successful car salesman to blind taste tests to bias tests regarding gender and race. Gladwell’s use of such diverse subject matter sparks and encourages the reader to make the necessary connections and find the patterns common within the varied information presented. This is one element of what makes Blink so enjoyable and captivating. One can however, become lost in the material at times, making it difficult to understand everything being explored and all of the connections being made.
Gladwell layers information about a range of topics, all of which contribute to the shaping of our understanding about the unconscious mind, in a very interesting way. Although its subject matter is complex, Blink is not overly lengthy and is a manageable read. It is geared towards an audience that is looking for an overview of this subject in an enjoyable and interesting format without exploring the scientific details and mechanisms of why or how our brain thin-slices. We are constantly thinking without being fully aware of this thinking and this is the message that Blink sets out to illuminate, fully revealing the strengths and weaknesses of our adaptive unconscious.
by Meaghan
Blink explains the way people think, their initial reaction and their gut instinct. The book also explains that our initial reaction occurs before we even know, coming from previous knowledge and experience. Our unconscious makes these reactions.
ReplyDeleteThe thesis in Blink is that people rely on their gut instinct to continuously make decisions and are oblivious to the role in which these instinctive decisions play in their actions. Individuals do not realize that they make these assumptions or the reasons why they think a certain way. Gladwell’s bias is that he supports his thesis, yet neglects to acknowledge any other view. He proves the fact that a person’s first instinct is commonly correct and that people rely on their instincts. Gladwell lacks the possibility and explanation of other opinions or options besides his thesis.
Gladwell’s main contention is that people rely on their gut instinct without consciously knowing. He proves this throughout the book by using stories and explanations. After establishing his argument, Gladwell states that people need to be aware and in control of their instincts. Gladwell also explains that the gut feeling is not always correct, therefore forcing people to think about the decisions that they are making. The author also communicates the ways in which we arrive at these assumptions; as we begin to learn these things at an early age and continue to learn throughout our lives.
The strong point in Blink would be the specific stories that Gladwell tells throughout the book that support his thesis. For example, Gladwell uses personal stories, interviews, and studies, giving the book a variety of stories that made it enjoyable. This works because Gladwell makes the stories relatable and understandable. The book’s weakness would be that the chapters are long, making the book dull and unrelatable. The book is somewhat repetitive in regards to the way Gladwell makes connections between his examples and supporting his thesis. Gladwell was also repetitive as he said the same things to prove his thesis. He was repetitive through his explanations, where he paraphrased himself most of the time.
The genre of Blink is non-fiction, with the subcategory, psychology. This relates to the literature as the book is about how the mind works, which is the main idea of psychology. At the beginning of the novel a thesis is stated, and then throughout the novel Gladwell proves his thesis, making it a non-fiction. In this book, Gladwell provided non-fiction stories along with his opinion. It is clear that this book keeps within the genre of non-fiction and the subcategory of psychology.
‘Blink’ is about rapid cognition, the decisions we make in the blink of an eye. When you meet someone for the first time, your mind jumps to a series of rapid conclusions about that person in about two seconds. This book is about what happens in those two seconds, as the Gladwell believes that those conclusions are really powerful and important. The aim of the book is to discuss these decisions made by our unconscious, and how they can be equally accurate, and in-accurate, depending on the circumstances surrounding the decision. As much as trying to explain rapid cognition and instant decision making to the reader, Malcolm Gladwell wrote the book to teach himself. To try and understand what is happening in our heads as we ‘engage’ in rapid cognition.
ReplyDeleteGladwell believes that the powers of rapid cognition can be both positive and negative, and that it is possible for us to determine between the two situations and act accordingly. He firmly believes that these snap decisions and judgments made are extremely important and powerful.
Gladwell is arguing that we should recognize the fact that rapid cognition is a powerful and important tool in our cognitive arsenal. He believes that further studies and research should be conducted in this field.
‘Blink’ has major strengths, and major weaknesses. One such strength is the fact that the information is being presented to the reader in a very accessible way. The order of chapters is logical, and easy to follow. Another strength is that the information presented is fascinating. The reader is easily enraptured by Gladwell’s explanation of the tests and experiments conducted by psychologists that deal with rapid cognition and our unconscious. However, there are also weaknesses. A major weakness of ‘Blink’ is that it is perhaps the only book in its designated area of information, and therefore has nothing to draw from in the way of additional books on the subject.
In its place in literature, Blink holds an interesting and unique place. As it is the only book that has been written for a general audience concerning the studies that have been taking place in a new branch of psychology. Gladwell has written a number of books like this, that are each in their own category, as they deal with different and interesting topics. Gladwell himself classified Blink, The Tipping Point, and his other books as ‘intellectual adventure stories’. Since Gladwell has created his own category of literature, his books are very unique, interesting, and captivating. Blink holds it’s own in this category, along with all of his other novels.