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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Why More Is Less
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz investigates how the abundance of choices in modern society causes anxiety and self-doubt, and suggests ways to simplify decision-making and increase happiness.
Not more than a few decades ago, choice in most areas of daily life was actually rather limited.
For example, just one generation ago, all utilities were regulated by monopolies, so consumers didn’t need to make difficult decisions about who was going to provide their telephone or their electric service. And when it came to choosing an education, colleges usually required all students to complete two years’ worth of general education, with only some, rather narrow choices available among the courses.
But as society has advanced, the array of choices in everyday life has increased enormously. We now face a demand to make choices that is unparalleled in human history.
Today, for instance, colleges are like intellectual shopping malls, embodying a philosophy that celebrates freedom of choice above all else. Even Swarthmore College, a small school with only 1,350 students, offers about 120 different courses to meet the general education requirement, from which students must select just nine. In fact, in most modern colleges, students are free to pursue almost any of their interests.
Such abundance of choice also applies elsewhere – in utility providers, for example, where deregulation and competition in the telephone and power industries have introduced a dizzying array of options. And we’re also now presented with a massive selection of different kinds of health insurance, retirement plans and medical care.
In fact, it seems that no matter which aspect of everyday life we turn to, the amount of choices available to us has increased over the past decades.
So whether we are choosing utility provider or deciding on a career path, contemporary society presents us with a bounty of choices.
The abundance of choice that modern society presents us with is commonly believed to result in better options and greater satisfaction. However, author Barry Schwartz argues that too many choices can be detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. Through arguments based on current research in the social sciences, he demonstrates how more might actually be less.
The Paradox of Choice (2004) explores the overwhelming number of choices we face today and the impact it has on our happiness. Here's why this book is worth reading:
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Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of The Paradox of Choice?
The main message of The Paradox of Choice is that having too many options can lead to dissatisfaction and decision paralysis.
How long does it take to read The Paradox of Choice?
Reading time for The Paradox of Choice varies, but the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Paradox of Choice a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Paradox of Choice is worth reading as it examines the impact of choice overload and provides guidance on making better decisions.
Who is the author of The Paradox of Choice?
The author of The Paradox of Choice is Barry Schwartz.