Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Blink is a book about the power of snap judgments and how they affect our decision-making process. Gladwell argues that all human beings are innately good at finding patterns and reading situations, which he calls “thin-slicing.” However, there are problems and possible contradictions in the concept of examining intuition.
The book’s second half portrays the connection between the unconscious and conscious mind and how their connection can be incompatible. Sometimes, individuals do things they cannot explain. In the author’s terminology, individuals are able to exercise thin-slicing without even being aware of it. Consequently, they cannot explain why they believe what they believe or do what they do.
The main themes of Blink include the power of intuition, the importance of first impressions, and the dangers of snap judgments. Gladwell examines thin-slicing to understand the psychology of human behavior: the section of the human mind that behaves according to intuition and instinct.
What I Liked
Like all his work, the stories and writing is amazing. He has really set a new bar for non-fiction.
What I Did Not Like
Not a whole lot – solid Gladwell book.
