Think!: Why Crucial Decisions Can't Be Made in the Blink of an Eye |  | Author: Michael R. LeGault
Publisher: Threshold Editions
List Price: $15.00
Buy New: $8.49
as of 11/21/2009 14:46 CST details
You Save: $6.51 (43%)
New (19) Used (14) from $7.46
Seller: the_book_depository_
Rating:  76 reviews
Sales Rank: 67539
Media: Paperback
Pages: 368
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.4 x 1.1
ISBN: 1416531556
Dewey Decimal Number: 158
EAN: 9781416531555
ASIN: 1416531556
Publication Date: October 24, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Outraged by the downward spiral of intellect and culture, Michael LeGault offers the flip side of Malcolm Gladwell's bestselling phenomenon, Blink, which theorized that our best decision-making is done on impulse, without factual knowledge or critical analysis. If bestselling books are advising us to not think, LeGault argues, it comes as no surprise that sharp, incisive reasoning has become a lost art in the daily life of people everywhere. Somewhere along the line, the Age of Reason morphed into the Age of Emotion; this systemic erosion is costing time, money, jobs, and lives in the twenty-first century, leading to less fulfilment and growing dysfunction. LeGault provides a bold, controversial, and objective analysis of the causes and solutions for some of the biggest problems facing Western culture in the 21st century. From the over- load of reality TV shows and gossip magazines that have rendered curiosity of the mind and spirit obsolete to permissive parenting and low standards that have caused an academic crisis among our children, LeGault looks at all aspects of modern lives and points to how and where it all went wrong.
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 76
 THINK fails the critical thinking test of the author! September 10, 2009
R. M. Ruppert (Dayton, OH)
I am a late reader of BLINK by M. Gladwell and now THINK by M LeGault. Whereas BLINK was insightful and well written, THINK reads like a little school boy who is mad because another kid is getting all the attention. Rather than compare apples to apples, LeGault compares apples to oranges.
It has been proven by "critical thinking" that first thoughts with quick detail information (intuition) perform more accurately under a new situation (stress) than thoughts made with massive amounts of details and concious thought. LeGault confuses the "intuition" thought with some PC social or emotional-based thought process.
He misses the point that the final data later showed some creative thought was correct. But the original decision to proceed along a path was not made with all details in hand for "critical analytical thinking." It was a BLINK thought that later was proved correct.
The education system in America is bad because people removed definable grades/standards and substituted feel good standards. All people are NOT created equal in abilities or effort and we should NOT pretend they are. That problem has nothing to do with BLINK thinking and acting.....or the lack of good decsion making by CEOs and government officials.
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
 perfect May 2, 2009
Carolina Sanchez (Atadena, California. U.S.A)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
hi this book is perfect i always come to amazon some in good shape books and they always deliver
Too much irrelevant information March 25, 2009
Hawkeye Richardson (Tucson, AZ)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
While this book is good at raising the question of how we might better use critical thinking to make better decisions, the author tries to cover too many other issues as a way to justify his position. Tearing down the book 'Blink', straying into greenhouse warming, and reiterating how poorly policitians deal with issues does little to further the case for the need for critical thinking. I wish he had concentrated on how to integrate our critical thinking and intuitive thinking brains. As it is, he comes across as just another radical looking only for data that supports his premise while conveniently ignoring other data from legitimate sources.
Not an answer to Blink January 27, 2009
Carol Jacoby (Long Beach, CA USA)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book purports to be a response to Gladwell's "Blink," yet I felt the author had not read "Blink" beyond the opening story of the fake statue. "Blink" presents a balanced view of intuition, showing when it fails, and the effort and rational analysis involved in building the expertise needed for good intuition. I was willing, however, to let this go and meet this book on its own terms.
I was expecting "Think" to give meaty case studies of irrational decisions and guidance on techniques for thinking rationally. Instead, I found diatribes against various groups and practices. I do not think any of these groups came to their conclusions irrationally. Rather they made rational decisions based on different priorities. Every meaningful decision is informed by multiple, conflicting goals. The goals must somehow be prioritized before a rational decision can be made. For example, the author rails against affirmative action, but affirmative action is a rational decision if the goal is correcting for past discrimination. A discussion of this subjective part of any meaningful decision would have been very valuable.
The theme of a return to thoughtful decision-making is valuable, and I would love to see it happen. This book is just not the vehicle to get us there.
James Studinger December 4, 2008
James Studinger (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I think our country would be better off (possibly to the point that it is a necessity) if everyone read the book Th!nk, and here's why. I wrote the book Wealth Is a Choice. During the editing stages we contemplated how much emphasis I put on the idea that people have to be actively, physically and mentally, engaged along the pursuit toward individual wealth. It was suggested to me, many times, that people just want to read about something that will tell them exactly what to do, without them having to think. I disagreed. I believe people are intelligent enough to understand that the definition of financial independence has changed, and are ready to learn how to succeed. Today we are in a global financial crisis, one that I believe could have been largely diverted if we all thought more clearly about financial decisions and their mid (let alone long term) ramifications.
Michael Legault reminds us of the importance of critical thinking, and challenges the reader in an engaging and stimulating study. You might not agree with all his examples, and may criticize some of his positions. We all have our notions. Yet his core message is consistent and clear. I don't believe we can rely on headlines throughout our life to give us a true representation for what is going on in the world. We need to engage our brains, and discover the truth behind the things that are important to us, and progress our decisions to be closer in line with our actual goals. Some of you may already be there. Given the condition of our country, I'd argue that not enough are. Th!nk helps you get there.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 76
|
|
|
|
