Book Review
Title: The Upside of
Irrationality
Author: Dan Ariely
Publisher: Thorsons –
HarperCollins, London, 2010
Pages: 334
Ever since my youth, I have questioned the definition
of human as a rational being. If humans were rational, the world would have
been a kind of utopia. Just imagine everyone thinking rationally. There would
be no crimes simply because crime is the most irrational deed one can do. The
only drawback of that sort of a world would be that it might be a bit boring.
It is since irrationality has fascinated me forever
that I bought this book, The Upside of Irrationality, by Dan
Ariely. I wanted to learn more interesting facts about human irrationality. But,
unfortunately, this book has little to offer. It tells us what we already know.
The book is divided into two parts. Part 1 deals with
irrationality at our workplaces and part 2 with irrationality at home.
Workplace and home are the two places where we spend most of our time. Our
irrationality will be most visible there, no doubt. However, we don’t need an
international bestselling author on psychology to tell us that our work will be
a burden unless we are able to discover a meaning and purpose in it [chapter 2]
or that we tend to overvalue what we make ourselves [chapters 3 & 4]. An
entire chapter [5] is devoted to tell us how an apology can ease most painful
situations and prevent the engendering of vindictive feelings in others.
The most banal counsel provided by the author, I
think, comes in chapter 6 where he teaches us about human adaptation. Humans
adapt all too easily to any situation, even to our pay levels – high or low.
Even to our homes. The initial delight over the tiles and built-in furniture as
well as the annoyance with the unpleasant kitchen settings will all give way to casual acceptance
and getting on. The worst is when the author tells us how to adapt when the
financial going gets bad: cut down on your expenses, especially alcohol. You
don’t need an international bestseller to tell you that, do you?
What if the mate you are looking for is not as
handsome/beautiful as you had dreamt of? Which option will you choose?
1. alter your perception of
aesthetics – I like bald men [you hated them so far]
2. reconsider the rank of
attribution – I don’t like bald men, but I look at other things.
3. don’t adapt – I’ll never
like bald men.
If you don’t know which option is right, you will find
this book useful.
This is not to say that the book is not worth reading.
Maybe, I have read too much of this type and there is little new to add.
Psychology hasn’t grown much beyond what your grandmother taught you with her
accumulated wisdom.
I liked the last chapter [11] which speaks about the
lessons from our irrationalities. “If we learn to question ourselves and test
our beliefs, we might actually discover when and how we are wrong and improve
the ways we love, live, work, innovate, manage, and govern.” Amen to that.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteThe plethora of 'self-help' books out there does mean that they all start to appear anodyne and, frankly, condescending. Yet, it seems there are endless numbers of folk who are searching outside of themseles for the answers that are actually within their own grasp and sometimes, just sometimes, that help is found. Even if it is just one sentence or paragraph from the entire book. Such as you ended with... YAM xx
Inspiration can come from anywhere. Perhaps a lot of people find this sort of books helpful. Perhaps the world is not reading seriously nowadays.
DeleteSometimes i think people continue to write the obvious because despite its nature being so obvious, its not common. There will always be a need to produce these books because as you said, if everyone was rational, the world would be a utopia. Too bad, those who actually need to read these books will never because irrationality is a way of life for them!
ReplyDeleteYes, people need to be reminded and prodded frequently.
Delete...for years I have said that I live with a serious handicap, I was born with a rational mind.
ReplyDeleteClear Reason is a severe handicap in a world of loonies.
DeleteTaking care of people , In that line of work I seen people who isn't adaptable.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on, and stay safe
Adaptability is a very human characteristic. But there are exceptions too.
DeleteHuman and rational in the same sentence? Come on now, get serious!
ReplyDeleteHahaha... That's nice.
Delete