
The Paradox of Choice
Why More is Less
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Buy Now for $27.50
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Narrated by:
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Ken Kliban
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Written by:
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Barry Schwartz
About this listen
In the spirit of Alvin Tofflers' Future Shock, a social critique of our obsession with choice, and how it contributes to anxiety, dissatisfaction and regret.
Whether were buying a pair of jeans, ordering a cup of coffee, selecting a long-distance carrier, applying to college, choosing a doctor, or setting up a 401(k), everyday decisions - both big and small - have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented.
We assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In the long run, this can lead to decision-making paralysis, anxiety, and perpetual stress. And, in a culture that tells us that there is no excuse for falling short of perfection when your options are limitless, too much choice can lead to clinical depression.
In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains at what point choice - the hallmark of individual freedom and self-determination that we so cherish - becomes detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. In accessible, engaging, and anecdotal prose, Schwartz shows how the dramatic explosion in choice--from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family, and individual needs--has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution. Schwartz also shows how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse.
©2004 Barry Schwartz (P)2010 Audible, Inc.You may also enjoy...
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Pleasantly Surprised at Granularity of Analysis
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Good reminders
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It's really the land of the opportunity. The land of abundance.
Well now it's going down the toilet with all that it is going on with the supply chain.
Me I can deal with it and manage to get what I want. Because I am not difficult.
People are really specific so let's just see what is going to happen.
I just started the book. I just wanted to write about it.
I would not mind going back to the time he refer to. Just to try it.
I think that my time is way too much complicated for nothing.
I own 3 headphones from the same company. Why? Because on one I didn't like something about it. So I bought something better. But then it was not noise cancelling enough so I had to buy again. So you see there is noise cancelling and not enough noise cancelling.
Now I am fine. It's cancelling enough. LOL Even people I don't want to hear. LOL
What grandma? You talked to me? LOL
I had a lot of problems with regrets and this book makes me realize what I have, being more grateful and it make me more happy.
Even if I miss something from my past. Not everything was good but some parts were. At least. It was not all bad.
I would really recommend this book to someone who is dealing with regrets and have to make difficult choices.
It's really a great book. Thanks for everything.
It's crazy
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Strong case, relevant topic
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Absolutely enjoyed it
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Needs to be updated
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More relevant and outdated than ever before
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That said, the concepts are valid and relevant to anyone looking at improving their understanding of managing choices or product options/variations for customers. However, unless your interest is in the superfluous detail through which Schwartz explains the scientific process through which the studies on choice were conducted, I would highly recommend finding a TLDR version of this book.
Find a summary article instead
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