... lively and digestible ... The last words of the last chapter constitute a question: 'When should we fight self-deception, and when—and how much—should we embrace it?' Seems like something worth addressing earlier ... In the end, the book’s merits lie not in the depth of its analysis but in its breadth of synthesis and quotable lucidity.
... takes us on a fascinating, enlightening tour of the human mind and its evolution in order to help us come to terms with our ability to self-deceive. The authors are not out to disparage our delusions, but to expose them in a compassionate way that illustrates how we would not have evolved to be who we are today if we did not occasionally fudge facts and remain willfully ignorant ... well-researched and liberally illustrated ... a very readable book
Whatever it is, when Vedantam tells stories on his podcast and radio show, Hidden Brain, even when he’s imparting highly disturbing truths about human behavior, he’s a joy to listen to. It would seem difficult to duplicate that effect with the written word, but he manages to do just that. He explains the phenomenon of deceit in general, and self-deception in particular, with the same plain language and gentle authority that his listeners have come to rely on ... intriguing[.]
Referencing both historical resources and popular culture, the authors show how the lies we tell are often societal niceties. The chapter on the founding myths of the United States, and what it means to be a nation, make for urgent reading. It is essential not to miss the authors’ more significant proposition: to compassionately consider others’ perspectives even if they do not seem rational or true ... This excellent narrative nonfiction work will engage a variety of readers, and is a solid choice for book clubs who like to discuss current events.
The best part of this inquiry is the final third, a probe of the pervasiveness of self-deception in rituals, patriotism, and religion. The authors conclude that we are all vulnerable to falsehoods and myths not because we are simpletons, but rather because we are flawed and frightened beings. Welcoming our inner Pinocchio may just be prudent behavior.
... ingenious and unsettling ... The authors also examine the concept of the placebo, which in certain cases is 'the most benevolent of lies,' and they defend their position that optimists with fatal diseases live longer than 'realists,' quoting studies that show this and ignoring those that show the opposite ... A passionate, often counterintuitive, disturbingly convincing addition to the why-people-believe-stupid-things genre.
