Think about a major, life-changing decision you made recently. (where to go to school, taking a job, breaking up with someone, a major purchase, reconciling with someone, etc.) How did you make that decision? Did you carefully sift through all the options, maybe doing some research or a pro/con list? Or did you just impulsively decide?
How did it work out for you?
What do you think of Gladwell's claim that "On straightforward choices, deliberate analysis is best. When questions of analysis and personal choice start to get complicated--when we have to juggle many different variables--then our unconscious thought processes may be superior." (267)?
2 comments:
I found Blink to be a marvelous book, very thought inspiring and frequently leaving me with more questions than answers, which is good. I find myself paying alot more attention to my wife's and other folks facial expressions to see what I can read into them. This, fear is a classic case of to little knowledge being a dangerous thing, so I am going to search the bibliography and read more.
To answer Michelle's question I think I wore out my brain deciding to apply for jobs out of state that would force my family to move. When the offer from St. Martin's came I experienced great excitement and apprehension all at the same time. Now my thoughts are on how to make things outside my control, like selling our house in PA, happen more quickly or how to get my family all here and settled comfprtably before school starts. The "blink" decisison would not work in these cases, but I recently bought a used pick-up to replace a quickly dying old pontiac. I had wanted to make the move for a long time but I analyzed our finacnes, the cost, monthly payments etc., not a good time. I waited.... and gas prices went up and trucks became very unpopular and CHEAP. I had studied all the models, the V-6 versus V-8, all the details, but when I saw this truck at the dealer I only blinked oncve and in my mind the deal was done. I dickered, took the test drive and acted like I could walk away but there was no way. Four weeks later, and at only 20 miles to the gallon, I am still confident that my "blink deceision" was the right one.
David Hooks
I agree with Gladwell on the first choice. Little impulse buys are terrible. One always regrets them (especially if they are, say, a chocolate bar... or piece of cake... or brownie... you see where I'm going with this one). But I think deliberate analysis the best choice in big decisions too. At the beginning of the summer I finally decided that I wanted a DSLR (essentially an awesome, nearly-pro to professional camera, depending on the model). If at any time along the long road of switching my choice camera bodies and lenses I had made the impulsive decision, I would have made a mistake. Even now, I sort of wish that I had taken a bit more time instead of going with my gut on my lens purchases. Because I deliberated and did my research I think I made fairly solid choices, and I have a very nice kit. However, If I had given it more consideration, I think I would have chosen a walk-around lens with more wide-angle and less zoom and I would have done enough research to make my 50 mm a 50 mm macro lens (I am desperately envious of all the gorgeous macro shots I cannot get with my 1.5 ft minimum focal distance). The point is, everytime I make a "blink" decision, whether it be big or small, I regret it. I'm a highly emotional person, and I disagree with Gladwell's theory that the longer one thinks, the more complicated and "mixed up" they become. I find that if I give every decision enough time to let my feelings settle down and reach a healthy balance, I am better equipped to decide what to do. I am able to remind myself why saying yes (or no) could be such a bad idea without letting the moment get in the way.
I think there is a time and a place for blink decisions, but such a situation is hard to identify. I agree with Gladwell's final hypothesis that at times, when one is well-informed, experienced, trained and/or educated, one's gut instinct is often the right thing. But how often does that happen? How many of those situations exist? At seventeen I would say that I don't have enough expertise in any field (academic, personal or otherwise) to make a blink decision. Maybe one day I may hone my instinct to be a Gottman or a Von Riper in a particular area, but for now, and for a while, I'm going to stick with thinking things through... hopefully.
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