Mike Shultz's Reviews > Thinking, Fast and Slow

Fascinating if a little slow at the end. Full of reports of all kinds of interesting studies and insights into the process of how people make decisions. Just one of many examples: less than 10% of people in the U.S. choose to donate their organs at death. Over 80% donate in other countries. Many countries fall into one of the two categories -- either very high or very low. Why? Are they nice and we're mean? The difference can be traced to one simple factor: opt-in versus opt-out. In the U.S., we have to check a box to donate our organs. In the high-percentage countries, they have to check a box to opt OUT of donating their organs. It's as simple as that. An easy choice for both groups. But people are less likely to break what is perceived as "the norm" -- which is established by whichever option (in this case) involves doing NOTHING. It takes psychological effort (however little) to make the choice to check that box, so only about 10% check it -- whether that means donating or not donating. If you find analysis of this sort of thing interesting, you'll like the book.