[Read5for5 📚] The science of decision-making: why smart people do dumb things

“She had curiously thoughtful and attentive eyes; eyes that were very pretty and very good.”

― Charles Dickens

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Hi friends,

This is Kei and Kazuki from Glasp 👋

We are excited to start Day 2 of the 5 Day Reading Challenge 📚✨ Here are three good articles we choose, so when you finish reading any of them or any article you want, share it on Twitter with the hashtag, "#read5for5"! Let's read good articles together and connect with like-minded people 🤝

Today's Reading List 📚

(1) 6 Things The Most Productive People Do Every Day by Eric Barker (9 mins)

1. Meaningful Work Enhances Motivation: Medieval monks were highly productive due to their belief in the significance of their work, implying that finding meaning in one's tasks can greatly boost motivation and productivity in modern life.

2. Routine and Balance: Monks maintained a strict daily routine while balancing solitude and community life, suggesting that a structured schedule combined with periods of isolation and supportive group interactions can enhance focus and efficiency.

3. Physical Activity and Mindfulness: The monks' emphasis on physical labor and mindful technology use highlights the importance of exercise for mental stability and the practice of mindfulness for managing thoughts and distractions, applicable to contemporary productivity strategies.

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(2) People who read live longer than those who don’t, Yale researchers say by Laurie Vazquez (3 mins)

• Longevity Linked to Reading: Yale researchers found that people over 50 who read books regularly live significantly longer than non-readers, with an average increase in lifespan of 23 months.

• Advantages of Book Reading: The study highlighted that reading books, unlike periodicals, offers cognitive benefits due to its immersive nature, leading to a 20% reduction in mortality risk.

• Broader Benefits: These longevity benefits apply regardless of gender, wealth, education, or health, and are attributed to the cognitive engagement and stress reduction provided by reading.

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(3) The science of decision-making: why smart people do dumb things by Anne-Laure Le Cunff (9 mins)

1. Decision-Making Dynamics: Daily decisions are based on mental models developed from experience, where choices can range from highly rational to emotionally driven. Key brain regions like the anterior cingulate cortex are involved, with emotions significantly influencing decisions.

2. Challenges in Decision-Making: Intelligent individuals often face hurdles like overthinking (analysis paralysis), overconfidence, information overload, and emotional biases, which can lead to irrational choices and the 'what the hell' effect, where a minor poor decision escalates into significant consequences.

3. Strategies for Effective Decisions: The DECIDE framework offers a systematic approach for smarter decisions, emphasizing the need to understand the problem, evaluate criteria, and consider alternatives. Understanding one's decision-making style (intuitive vs. rational, maximising vs. satisficing) is crucial for improving decision quality.

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Excited to learn with you!
See you tomorrow again ;)

Best,
Glasp team

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