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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Black-and-White Thinking summary
The Burden of a Binary Brain in a Complex World
23 mins
Brief summary
'Black-and-White Thinking' by Kevin Dutton explores the dangers of rigid, all-or-nothing thinking and offers practical ways to develop more nuanced, flexible perspectives. It helps readers better navigate complex situations and relationships.
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Black-and-White Thinking
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Key idea 1 of 7
Evolution gave humans the gift of categorization.
You probably don’t remember when exactly you started categorizing the things around you. That’s because categorization is a skill humans learn at an early age. Very early, in fact.
In a 2005 study, developmental psychologist Lisa Oakes showed pictures of cats to a group of four-month-old infants. The cats were shown two at a time, and each pair was on screen for 15 seconds. First, Oakes would show six pairs of cats; then, she would add a new picture to each pair: either a new cat or a dog.
The result? The infants spent more time looking at the dogs than the unfamiliar cats. That’s because the infants saw the dogs as a new category. So their brains were processing the dogs differently and adding them to a brand-new grouping. If this study is any indication, our brains are designed to categorize.
The key message here is: Evolution gave humans the gift of categorization.
When we’re born, the world is a confusing swirl of sensations that can be difficult to make sense of. That’s where categorization comes in. Categories help us sort the mess into more easily understood, meaningful piles.
Just imagine what life would be like if you couldn’t form categories. Say you walk into a friend’s backyard. She has a sprinkler on the ground – but your brain isn’t aware of the category “watering device.” Immediately, you start to wonder what that object is. Is it dangerous? Could it kill you? Living like this would be impossible.
Clearly, categorization is still very important today. But it was even more so for our ancient ancestors.
A rustle in the bushes, a shadow on the wall, a ripple on the water – any of these things could have spelled death. We needed categories to help us recognize survival threats. And our brains gave us the binary distinction of fight versus flight.
Next, evolution equipped us with two other major binaries: us versus them and right versus wrong. Both of these were meant to increase social cohesion. Us versus them led us to favor those in our in-group over our out-group. And the idea of right versus wrong reinforced group solidarity, discouraged self-interest, and helped resolve conflicts.
Categorization helped our ancestors survive. But in the modern world, it frequently gets us into trouble – as we’ll see in the next blink.
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What is Black-and-White Thinking about?
Black and White Thinking (2020) examines the human brain’s irresistible impulse to sort things into binary categories: black and white, good and evil, right and wrong. The instinct to categorize is strong – and we have evolution to thank for it. But while categorization helped us survive in ancient times – when every trip into the forest was life or death – it’s become an obstacle in the modern world. Today, life’s rarely black-and-white, but often shades of gray.
Black-and-White Thinking Review
Black-and-White Thinking (2020) by Kevin Dutton is a thought-provoking exploration of the human tendency to classify the world in absolutes. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- It challenges our preconceived notions, encouraging us to question our binary thinking and embrace the complexity of the world.
- By examining the consequences of black-and-white thinking, Dutton presents a convincing case for why nuance and open-mindedness are crucial in today's society.
- The book's engaging examples and thought experiments make the concept of black-and-white thinking accessible and relatable, ensuring that it is anything but boring.
Who should read Black-and-White Thinking?
- Anyone fascinated by the human brain
- People who love to pick apart the intricacies of language
- Those who want to think more clearly in their daily lives
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Black-and-White Thinking FAQs
What is the main message of Black-and-White Thinking?
The main message of Black-and-White Thinking is that life is complex and nuanced, and we should avoid falling into rigid and oversimplified ways of thinking.
How long does it take to read Black-and-White Thinking?
The reading time for Black-and-White Thinking varies depending on the reader's speed. However, you can read the Blinkist summary in just 15 minutes.
Is Black-and-White Thinking a good book? Is it worth reading?
Black-and-White Thinking is worth reading because it offers valuable insights into the dangers of black-and-white thinking and provides practical advice on how to embrace a more open-minded approach.
Who is the author of Black-and-White Thinking?
The author of Black-and-White Thinking is Kevin Dutton.
What to read after Black-and-White Thinking?
If you're wondering what to read next after Black-and-White Thinking, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Make Change Work for You by Scott Steinberg
- How Language Works by David Crystal
- Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter
- Maps of Meaning by Jordan B. Peterson
- Because Internet by Gretchen McCulloch
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
- Moore’s Law by Arnold Thackray
- Lagom by Linnea Dunne
- When Genius Failed by Roger Lowenstein
- Marriage Be Hard by Kevin and Melissa Fredericks