A review by acouplereadss
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell

reflective fast-paced

3.5

When you hear magical thinking do you think of manifesting? The power of positive thinking? Positive thinking can be classified as our internal thoughts overcoming small or large events and issues in our lives. Similarly through the ages prayer can be seen in the same light. Montell argues the validity of this concept and delves into how our brain’s coping mechanism has been compromised by the sheer amount of information taken in on a daily basis. Montell takes psychological concepts to bring sense to our anxiety riddled brains in this new age of information.

While I align with some of Montell’s thoughts and views there is a little bit of that magical thinking that I can’t help but wonder has a bit of power that science can’t explain. 

Compared to Cultish this book was quite different. While Cultish had thorough research and a clear focus, not to say this one didn’t have effort put into research it did, but it felt there was less of a clear focal point and was more of a rambly memoir. I also sensed a lot of anger which may be related to the fame and challenges of running the Sounds Like a Cult podcast? Just some underlining things behind this one I can’t quite put my finger on.

I enjoyed this but the overall vibes, for lack of a better word, put me off a little, 3.5⭐️.