THE ART OF THINKING CLEARLY

Written by a novelist and Swiss intellectual, this conversational audio guide explains how to recognize thinking errors like trusting social proof (if everybody believes it, it must be true) and succumbing to the "availability bias" (relying on information that is in front of us instead of what is relevant). Eric Conger's performance has a serious documentary quality that lightens from time to time but keeps the personality in this writing tamped down more than is necessary. While his tonal range sounds repetitive, his impeccable phrasing makes everything clear. This audio production offers an encyclopedia of insights that, more than just improving our thinking, is a fascinating overview of how instinctual thinking biases can lead us to crazy-wrong conclusions and diminish our effectiveness in everyday life. T.W. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2014]