The Paradox of Choice

Why More Is Less

Paperback, 304 pages

English language

Published Jan. 18, 2005 by Harper Perennial.

ISBN:
978-0-06-000569-6
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3 stars (2 reviews)

In the spirit of Alvin Toffler’s Future Shock, a social critique of our obsession with choice, and how it contributes to anxiety, dissatisfaction and regret. This paperback includes a new P.S. section with author interviews, insights, features, suggested readings, and more.Whether we’re buying a pair of jeans, ordering a cup of coffee, selecting a long-distance carrier, applying to college, choosing a doctor, or setting up a 401(k), everyday decisions--both big and small--have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented.We assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In the long run, this can lead to decision-making paralysis, anxiety, and …

2 editions

Review of 'The Paradox of Choice' on 'Goodreads'

1 star

Hated it. It rambled on and on. The first few chapters are just endless example lists of items that we apparently have too many options of. I got that point after a few pages. I didn't need a third of the book to drive the point home. I usually don't like to speed read, but I ended up doing so to try to get through the rest of the book as I hate to not finish things. It didn't get any better. Eventually I had to laugh at myself for reading it in the first place. I didn't find anything profound in these pages and a doubt you will either. I also disagreed with and was put off by what seemed like an anti-free market undertone. I'll keep my choice. In this case, my choice was to not finish the book.

Subjects

  • Popular psychology
  • Popular Culture - General
  • Psychology
  • Decision Making & Problem Solving
  • General
  • Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology
  • Anthropology - Cultural
  • Social Psychology