A very interesting discussion of a concept the authors call "Libertarian Paternalism." Drawing initially on the research in predictable human cognitive bias the book proposes a mentality that allows both for designing "choice architectures" which preserve sufficient individual options (libertarian) while structuring the options such that the chooser is pushed towards a "best" option in proportion to their personal tendency to avoid choosing in the first place.
Examples include rather than forcing motorcycle drivers to wear a helmet, requiring those that go helmet-less to carry supplemental insurance; placing the healthy food at eye level in school cafeterias; and making contributions to employer provided savings plans opt-out rather than opt-in. The authors suggest what they refer to as the "publicity principal" to protect the public from self-interested nudges; announce in advance precisely what behavior you are optimizing for. If you fear talking openly about it you probably shouldn't be influencing people.
I was surprised, about half way through this book to realize that I may well already be something of an adherent to the philosophy.
October 2010 Archives
I occasionally ask myself why the hell I chose to live in the city. Especially on those days when I have to make five consecutive trips to the BMV because they do a particularly poor job of telling me what I have to do to get my drivers license and license plate. But on today's trip home on the brown line where, as we crossed Halsted street, we were challenged by two people wearing jack-o-lantern masks on the top of a parking garage, I was reminded why I love it here.
For quite some time I have appreciated the idea of guerilla theater, and its ability to remind us that the world is less predictable than we might like to assume. This moment came as a delightful surprise and served as a counterpoint to my evening commute. I can't remember the last time I was rolling down 315 in Columbus and was delighted by something so unexpected.
While the book is the inspiration for Ridley Scott's Sci Fi Classic, Blade Runner, it has a clear life of its own. The book is a very interesting meditation on empathy and humanity and what constitutes "real" and "artificial". While this last theme is well worn in the genre, especially in the works of the Cyberpunk authors of the eighties and nineties, Philip K. Dick's offering is worthy of the attention it has deserved.
Interesting. I was hoping for a bit more of an exposition on skeptical methods then I received, but the historical discussion of fire-eaters, poison-eaters, and the like was amusing.
I overheard a snippet of conversation between three young men in the shared lunchroom here at work. The bit that caught my attention went thus:
Guy 1: "Is it, like, an anniversary of Karina or something?"
Guy 2: "Katrina was a setup."
Guy 3: "Oh yea, they totally saw it coming and did nothing."
Guy 2: "Like they couldn't stop it, its just water dude!"
It brought to mind an old Monty Python bit:
"ABSORB WATER TODAY WITH SIMPSON'S INDIVIDUAL WATER ABSORB-A-TEX STRINGETTES! AWAY WITH FLOODS! AWAY WITH THE DULL DRUDGERY OF WORKADAY TIDAL WAVES! USE SIMPSON'S INDIVIDUAL FLOOD PREVENTERS!" -- Adrian Wapcaplet, Mousebat Follicle Goosecreature Ampersand Spong Wapcaplet Looseliver Vendetta and Prang, LLC.
I have read several of Petroski's books and have yet to be disappointed, many of his works are deap dives into the development of a specific artifact such as the pencil or the book. Here Petroski looks at the art and history of artifact design, showing how the failure of current artifacts to perform their function perfectly is the main driving force of development, with the often completely artificial association of a specific form with a specific function tempering the inventors ability to completely revamp a product.
The evolution of the humble paperclip commands its own chapter, and the proliferation of silverware and the currently accepted forms makes several appearances.
This is a book that can be well enjoyed in small bites, perfect bedside reading.
As I find happens often, I came to this book while reading another. Bob Hanmer gave me a copy of Apprenticeship Patterns for my 40th Birthday. The introduction referred to this book as part of its inspiration. Searching for Ms Dweck on line I came across a reference to her work in Malcom Gladwell's New Yorker article The Talent Myth from 2004 which presages his later book "Outliers". I figured if old Malcom liked her I should give her a look myself.
The thesis of the book is that there is a strong dichotomy in the way people view talent, intelligence and ability; there are those who see them as an inherent characteristic and others who see them as a learnable traits. She asserts that parents, modern education, and much of society drives children to adopt the former mindset; its the lucky person who manages to retain, or relearn the latter. She points out that society seems to favor talent over hard work, going so far as to ignore the effort made by our heros to get where they are. She shows, primarily through anecdote (more on that in a moment) situations which contrast the "Fixed Mindset" vs the "Growth Mindset", from education, to sports, to business.
I should point out that I accept the thesis, I can even point to moments in my own life that seem rather clearer when viewed through this lens. What I had trouble with is the presentation. I think it might be endemic of popular psychology books (and business books for that matter) to present ones ideas, and so "prove" them, by stringing together a series of anecdotes that support them. Call me incredulous, but I prefer more falsifiability in my science. To be fair I didn't follow her references, but, as I said, neither am I attacking her conclusions. I think that the ideas she presents are worthy of trial in my own life and intend to make an effort to apply them.
A fine book, now in the public domain, that provides a great overview of what goes into becoming a strong public speaker. The language is dated (though I love it) and some of the suggested themes would get one driven from a public hall in this more "enlightened" age, but anyone who wants to become a better speaker would benefit from this text.
Written in the eighteenth century, this is a very challenging read; but to my mind well worth the effort. Some of the sharpest wit in print and on occasion bawdy to a degree that might still raise an eyebrow today, this book took a decade to write, and nearly as long for me to read. An homage to diversion, the book gets lost in the details, not getting to the actual birth of the principal character until several hundred pages into the book. By that point we know the life stories, or large parts there of of every member of the supporting cast.
I had not heard of Lord Dunsany before I got hold of an ePub version of this collection of short stories. I was pleasantly surprised. This collection of "short stories" is more a set of vignettes that deal with mankind's relationship to nature; a modern mythology. I enjoyed it.
After my aggressive attempt to document my fist day of vacation Im afraid I slacked right off. On day two I still took notes (thats right, I was taking notes on my vacation) but they end on the second day. Here is the sum of my recollections for the remaining days.
Continue reading Vacation, the rest of the story..
