Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking Paperback – 23 Feb. 2006

Blink is another thought-provoking book by Malcolm Gladwell that examines the power of our subconscious minds to make quick and accurate judgments. Gladwell argues that sometimes, our intuitive decisions are more reliable than those based on deliberate thought.Key themes and concepts:The power of intuition: The book explores how our subconscious minds can process information rapidly and make accurate judgments without conscious deliberation.The dangers of overthinking: Gladwell argues that excessive analysis can sometimes lead to poor decision-making.The importance of context: The book emphasizes the role of context in shaping our intuitive judgments.Examples explored in the book:The ability of experts to make quick and accurate judgments based on a brief glanceThe role of intuition in interpersonal relationshipsThe challenges of making decisions based solely on conscious thoughtWhy this book is important:Understanding decision-making: Blink provides valuable insights into the complex ways in which our minds make decisions.Practical applications: The concepts presented in the book can be applied to various fields, including business, leadership, and personal relationships.Engaging storytelling: Gladwell's writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex ideas easy to understand.If you're interested in learning more about the power of the subconscious mind and the art of decision-making, Blink is a fascinating read.

I was avoiding this book for a long time, as I felt it was just a normal run-off-the-mill book on making gut choices. But the penguin reissue, and bargain amazon price (its half-price at amazon!) made me buy it. I read the book within a week, and was a little happier for the experience.Essentially the book explores the decision making processes we use, and how we are able to somehow determine the right option at a subconcious/gut level. Examples are given througout, and these really help underline the point being made.There is something interesting at play too - the author also wrote The Tipping Point. Within the book is a chapter around (not dedicated to though) a singer. I couldn't help feel tha there was a tongue-in-cheek attempt at gathering tipping point momentum for the singer, based on explanations of record companies gut-reactions to his signing etc.That aside, its worth it at this price, and being a fan of great typography, the Penguin Classics are a great example of how to sell and present a book. Concentrate on the readability and price!Well worth a few days of your time.

I find the way the human brain works an endlessly fascinating subject so I enjoy reading books like this. The author looks at the way people make up their minds in an instant about something. Those first impressions may not always be right but in many cases they are and they can go against all logic and reason and even against scientific evidence.I think the most striking example he uses is the first one in the book. The statue which science said was genuinely old but many expects saw it and immediately knew it to be a fake and were eventually proved right. How did they know? The author analyses many such startling examples including fire men who got their men out of a burning building just before the floor collapsed even though there was nothing that was telling them consciously that things were dangerous.If you read many books like this you do start to recognise these incidents in use to demonstrate many aspects of the functioning of the human brain. I found the example of the maverick who outwitted large forces in war games by thinking laterally and well outside the box of particular interest - even though I find war abhorrent - as the same principles can be applied to management. Following tried and tested procedures isn't always the best way to deal with unusual situations.This is a popular science book but it has plenty of notes on the text and an index and it is written in an easy and accessible style. If you want an academic version of the same subject then I recommend Thinking, Fast and Slow

Gladwell doing his thing

Unfortunately I didn't properly research this book prior to reading, and as a result it didn't match my expectations. This book is a collection of stories, and many of them are long and descriptive, indeed many of the details such as 'character development' used to give the stories depth, were irritating as I was more focused on the psychology concepts, for which I found very few in this book. Some of the concepts in psychology held as fact in this book are actually areas of considerable and growing disagreement in the academic world of psychology, for instance the certainty by which people can mind-read and interpret facial expressions. The author would have benefited from reading Lisa Barret's work on constructivism for instance. I feel that the author would have benefited from a rigorous editor or co-author to challenge some of the more lazy scientific assertions. The author is a journalist, not a psychologist, and this topic deserves more scientific rigour.

A well-organized research paper on an interesting subject. When that subject of ‘blink’ - the ability to see through the task at hand and know what to do, to know if it is right to do it - is expounded, understood and executed, we would have a glorious successful and carefree life.But is it? This is where the stories and examples that the author has used in the book determines to explain that. Excellent research!