Author: Richard
Thaler and Cass Sunstein
Title: Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness
Description: This book is about choice architecture:
engineering decisions so people make the choice you want them to. While this
can be done to commercial ends, Thaler and Sunstein argue for what they call
libertarian paternalism: complete freedom of choice that is structured so that
the largest amount of people will make the best decisions.
Source: thanks,
Penguin
Writing style: definitely
engaging. This was one of the best non-fiction books I’ve read in the past few
months.
Audience: The
book would be useful for anyone who designs choices for people—website
designers, store (or library) personnel, investment counselors, etc. etc.
Major ideas: People
often procrastinate (or try to completely avoid) making choices, and are easily
overwhelmed by the glut of information accompanying many of the (even
unimportant) choices they are forced to make. Those who design the choices
therefore have considerable power to choose defaults or select which
information is highlighted; it is up to them to wield this power to benefit the
consumer rather than to increase their own profit.
Wrap-up: Interesting,
thought-provoking, and highly recommended. 4.5/5*
Libertarian paternalism ... wouldn't that be an oxymoron? :)
ReplyDeleteThey go to some lengths trying to prove it is not.
ReplyDelete