Collective Illusions

Conformity, Complicity, and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions

By: Todd Rose

Narrated by: Jay Ben Markson

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience, behavioral economic, and social psychology research, acclaimed author, former Harvard professor, and think tank founder Todd Rose reveals how so much of our thinking about each other is informed by false assumptions that drive bad decisions that make us dangerously mistrustful as a society and hopelessly unhappy as individuals.

The desire to fit in is one of the most powerful, least understood forces in a society.

Todd Rose believes that as human beings we continually act against our own best interests out of our brains’ misunderstanding of what we think others believe. A complicated set of illusions driven by conformity bias distorts how we see the world around us. From toilet paper shortages to kidneys that get thrown away rather than used for desperately needed organ transplants, from racial segregation to the perceived “electability” of women for political office, from bottled water to “cancel culture,” we routinely copy others, lie about what we believe, cling to tribes, and silence others.

We are so profoundly social that when we are incongruent with the group that we do lasting damage to our self-worth, diminish our well-being and never realize our full potential. It’s why we all too often chase the familiar trappings of money, fame, and success that leave us feeling empty even when we do achieve them. It’s why we’ll blindly espouse a viewpoint we don’t necessarily believe in so that we blend in with the group. We trap ourselves in prisons of our own making that prevent us from living the happy, fulfilled lives we envision.

The question is, Why do we keep believing the lies and hurting ourselves?

Todd Rose reveals the answer is deeply hard-wired in our DNA, with brains that are more socially dependent than we realize or dare to accept. Most of us would rather be fully in sync with the social norms of our respective groups than true to who we are.

Using originally researched data, Collective Illusions shows us where we get things wrong and just as important, how we can be authentic in forming our opinions while valuing truth. Rose offers a counterintuitive, empowering, and hopeful explanation for how we can bridge the inference gap, make decisions with a newfound clarity, and achieve fulfillment. Only then can we transform ourselves, and ultimately, society.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Todd Rose (P)2022 Hachette Go

Fascinating!

Read this book! Now! Just do it! You will not regret it and maybe we can collectively heal our country.

Eye Opening

I throughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! Every chapter was very well told and kept me interested. The narration delivery was perfect. A great listen about important topics without sounding preachy.

just good

I really enjoy fiction, nonfiction,and simply learning. it was well written,well spoken,and just good knowledge.

Essential reading

Brilliant ideas supported by compelling data and written in a very engaging manner. A must read!!!

worth the listen

easy to listen to.
great case studies.
generally powerful information to live by.
for anyone who cares about making a positive contribution to families, friends, and community.

Enlightenment

A great reference to re think how we should engage with others in every day discourse: open minded!

Open your eyes

Collective Illusions should be mandatory reading for all Americans! It will change the way you think and maybe if we see these illusions and act, we can change the world

Outstanding! Life Changing!

I have listened to this book twice. I will listen to it again & again. There's a lot of important information & ideas in it that is life changing. I recommend this book to everyone.

Worthwhile

This book has some great stuff in it, but ultimately it's plan for fixing existence is a bit too. simplistic.

well written and a very important idea

a very insightful book which sheds light on the everyday miscommunication within all cultures. this may be the antidote to many of our toughest problems