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A review by pineconek
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
You know that feeling when you know you're being irrational but you keep doing the thing that's proving your irrationality while simultaneously watching yourself be irrational?
That's the feeling explored in this book. Cognitive biases galore. The author walks us through how recency bias, the sunk cost fallacy, and other basic psych phenomena appear and exert control over her life. The book is deeply personal and toes the line between sociological exploration and memoir, which is likely disappointing if you were hoping for more of the earlier. The book is very "New York millenial" in its target audience, in the same way that Didion's book of a similar title is very "New York Elite".
Recommended if you're in need of commiserating in some millenial ennui or want to better understand why your well educated friends put stock in their horoscopes and stay in bad relationships. 3.5 stars on SG rounded down to 3 on GR.
That's the feeling explored in this book. Cognitive biases galore. The author walks us through how recency bias, the sunk cost fallacy, and other basic psych phenomena appear and exert control over her life. The book is deeply personal and toes the line between sociological exploration and memoir, which is likely disappointing if you were hoping for more of the earlier. The book is very "New York millenial" in its target audience, in the same way that Didion's book of a similar title is very "New York Elite".
Recommended if you're in need of commiserating in some millenial ennui or want to better understand why your well educated friends put stock in their horoscopes and stay in bad relationships. 3.5 stars on SG rounded down to 3 on GR.