Thinking, Fast and Slow

Daniel Kahneman

Intuition or deliberation? Where you can (and can't) trust your brain

Final summary

The key message of this book is:

Thinking, Fast and Slow shows us that our minds contain two systems. The first acts instinctively and requires little effort; the second is more deliberate and requires much more of our attention. Our thoughts and actions vary depending on which of the two systems is in control of our brain at the time.

Actionable advice

Repeat the message!

Messages are more persuasive when we’re repeatedly exposed to them. This is probably because we evolved in a way that made repeated exposure to things that had no bad consequences seem inherently good.

Don’t be influenced by rare statistical events that are over-reported in newspapers.

Disasters and other events are an important part of our history, but we often overestimate their statistical probability because of the vivid images we associate with them from the media.

You’re more creative and intuitive when you’re in a better mood.

When you’re in a better mood, the part of the mind that is alert and analytical tends to relax. That cedes control of your mind to the more intuitive and quicker thinking system, which also makes you more creative.

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