May Contain Lies Book Summary - May Contain Lies Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

May Contain Lies summary

Alex Edmans

How Stories, Stats, and Studies Exploit Our Biases

4 (97 ratings)
11 mins

Brief summary

May Contain Lies delves into the complexities of dishonesty and its pervasive role in contemporary society. Alex Edmans offers thoughtful insights and practical reflections on how deception impacts personal and professional spheres.

Table of Contents

    May Contain Lies
    Summary of 3 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 3

    Recognize the biases

    Traversing the landscape of our thoughts and judgments reveals a network of cognitive biases that subtly influence our perceptions and decisions. Chief among these are confirmation bias and black-and-white thinking, which together shape much of our understanding of the world – often without our conscious awareness.

    Confirmation bias operates on two levels: naive acceptance and blinkered skepticism. Naive acceptance occurs when we unquestioningly embrace information that aligns with our preferences or beliefs, while blinkered skepticism leads us to reject or rigorously contest information that contradicts our views. This bias is embedded deep in our psychological makeup, with roots in the brain’s amygdala. In fact, we even enjoy a dose of dopamine whenever we successfully disregard information we consider disagreeable.

    The implications of confirmation bias extend to how we conduct searches for information. There’s a tendency to overlook sources that might offer divergent viewpoints, leading to a reinforcement of existing beliefs rather than a broadening of understanding. Counterintuitively, this biased search pattern is made worse as people gain more knowledge, as it equips them with the tools needed for motivated reasoning, making them adept at dismissing contradictory evidence.

    Similarly, black-and-white thinking simplifies complex issues into absolutes: things are either black or white. This cognitive shortcut was advantageous in historical contexts where quick, decisive action was necessary for survival. However, in today’s nuanced world, such dichotomous thinking often leads to misconceptions. Black-and-white thinking manifests in extreme statements that claim universality, ignoring that reality is more often shades of gray. For example, the belief that something is entirely good or bad ignores the spectrum of impact different quantities or types can have, as seen with nutrients like carbohydrates or the mixed attributes of technologies like semiconductors.

    To counter these biases, it’s essential that we consciously question our initial reactions to information. Asking whether we desire a statement to be true can uncover instances of naive acceptance, while considering the validity of a claim we dislike may mitigate blinkered skepticism. Similarly, scrutinizing statements for absolute language can help identify misleading black-and-white thinking.

    Recognizing these “twin biases” of confirmation and black-and-white thinking equips us with a more accurate assessment of information, fostering a more informed, discerning approach to the complexities of the modern world. By embracing this mindful engagement with information, we can navigate a path toward clearer understanding and more rational decision-making.

    Want to see all full key ideas from May Contain Lies?

    Key ideas in May Contain Lies

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is May Contain Lies about?

    May Contain Lies (2024) explores the intricate world of misinformation and its pervasive impact on society, media, and personal decision-making. It delves into the psychological underpinnings that make us susceptible to deception, and examines how falsehoods spread and the long-term consequences for public trust and individual behavior, then offers several strategies readers can adopt to improve critical thinking and discernment. 

    May Contain Lies Review

    May Contain Lies (2022) is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Here's why this book is definitely worth your time:

    • Explore a complex web of lies, deceit, and secrets that will leave you guessing until the very end.
    • Unravel the intricately woven character dynamics and uncover the hidden motivations driving their actions.
    • Experience a rollercoaster of suspense and tension that will keep you hooked and make sure boredom is never an option.

    Who should read May Contain Lies?

    • Anyone consuming news and social media 
    • Individuals wanting to make evidence-based decisions 
    • Policymakers and government officials

    About the Author

    Alex Edmans is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, professor at London Business School, and the 2021 recipient of Poets and Quants’ MBA Professor of the Year award. Edmans is a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and the Financial Times; his first book, Grow the Pie, appeared on FT’s Book of the Year list for 2020. 

    Categories with May Contain Lies

    Book summaries like May Contain Lies

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    34 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    May Contain Lies FAQs 

    What is the main message of May Contain Lies?

    The main message of May Contain Lies explores the impact of deception and truth in our lives.

    How long does it take to read May Contain Lies?

    Reading May Contain Lies takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.

    Is May Contain Lies a good book? Is it worth reading?

    May Contain Lies is worth reading for its intriguing take on truth and lies, offering a unique perspective in a concise format suitable for all readers.

    Who is the author of May Contain Lies?

    Alex Edmans is the author of May Contain Lies.

    What to read after May Contain Lies?

    If you're wondering what to read next after May Contain Lies, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Modern Friendship by Anna Goldfarb
    • How to Hug a Porcupine by Sean K. Smith
    • What's Next Is Now by Frederik Pferdt
    • Designer Relationships by Mark A. Michaels & Patricia Johnson
    • Licence to be Bad by Jonathan Aldred
    • The Stoic Path to Wealth by Darius Foroux
    • The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
    • The Ten Commandments for Business Failure by Donald R. Keough
    • Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
    • The Secret Language of the Body by Jennifer Mann & Karden Rabin