The Upside of Irrationality

The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home

By: Dan Ariely

Narrated by: Simon Jones

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

The provocative follow-up to the New York Times best seller Predictably Irrational

• Why can large bonuses make CEOs less productive?
• How can confusing directions actually help us?
• Why is revenge so important to us?
• Why is there such a big difference between what we think will make us happy and what really makes us happy?

In his groundbreaking book Predictably Irrational, social scientist Dan Ariely revealed the multiple biases that lead us into making unwise decisions. Now, in The Upside of Irrationality, he exposes the surprising negative and positive effects irrationality can have on our lives. Focusing on our behaviors at work and in relationships, he offers new insights and eye-opening truths about what really motivates us on the job, how one unwise action can become a long-term habit, how we learn to love the ones we're with, and more.

Drawing on the same experimental methods that made Predictably Irrational one of the most talked-about bestsellers of the past few years, Ariely uses data from his own original and entertaining experiments to draw arresting conclusions about how and why we behave the way we do. From our office attitudes, to our romantic relationships, to our search for purpose in life, Ariely explains how to break through our negative patterns of thought and behavior to make better decisions. The Upside of Irrationality will change the way we see ourselves at work and at home and cast our irrational behaviors in a more nuanced light.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2010 Dan Ariely (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Self-deprecating humor, an enthusiasm for human eccentricities, and an affable and snappy style make this read an enriching and eye-opening pleasure." ( Publishers Weekly)

Not as rigorously scientific as the first book

I've read his first book "Predictably Irrational". In that he opens the window to human irrationality and in this book he explores various ways to take advantage of that irrationality. Enjoyable read as well as informative. But this book fell short of my expectations that he set with his first book.

He tried to extrapolate the results to unrelated groups under different conditions. For example, he proved in an experiment that under the "acute stress of high reward" an untrained group of individuals performed poorly compared to a similarly untrained group of people who were not pressured by the high reward. And then he goes on to argue that executives and professionals should be paid less. He in fact asks if you would rather be operated on by a well paid surgeon or less paid surgeon, arguing that a well paid surgeon will underperform because of the pressure of high reward (compensation). I guess I should disclose here that I am a physician. I'm in no way supporting the ridiculous pay of this generation of executives, bankers and even some physicians, but I believe this extrapolation is not scientific. I found a few similar misinterpretations.

At times, he described his ordeal of recovery from extensive burns in gory details. I am very sympathetic to his suffering and there are times I cried reading it (bear in mind that I'm not stranger to suffering). When looked at it objectively, though, the details were a little more than needed for the narrative. I felt that he invoked emotional reactions, unrelated to the book's narrative. Was he trying to harness the irrationality of the readers?

Most observations made in the book appear logical and insightful and his research is commendable. That's all the more reason for him to be as scientifically accurate as possible and not stray. In such a setting, even one unscientific conclusion will cast a shadow of doubt on the validity of the rest. How ever, I do highly recommend, but advise the reader to read it critically.

Good Information, Poor Narration

Overall, the content of this audiobook was interesting - Ariely tends to wander off on tangents, and his personal parables detract from the research based information presented, but the subject matter was nonetheless quite engrossing. What turned me off from this audiobook was the unfortunate narration. The narrator has a very affected British accent - there was a certain ridiculousness in his reading of the book that was very distracting. I would recommend purchasing the actual text and skipping this audiobook.

My second book from Dan Ariely

What made the experience of listening to The Upside of Irrationality the most enjoyable?

When I finished Predictably Irrational I just wanted to keep listening more from Dan Ariely and I found this book. I loved both the first one and this one.

What did you like best about this story?

Ariely's simple explanation of irrational behavior. I love his style. He is clear and always makes sure to provide examples to avoid misunderstandings.

Have you listened to any of Simon Jones’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Great as Predictably Irrational

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Studying human beings

Fascinating Examination of the Concept

Where does The Upside of Irrationality rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book ranks highly on my audible list. I've listened to several of Ariely's books and they all are excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

This is not a story. It is a book about irrational conduct, and research that bears it out. It is interesting to examine the ways people actually behave that fly in the face of how economic theory predicts they should behave.

What about Simon Jones’s performance did you like?

Very good.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Documenting Crazy Humans, but the "Normal" Ones

Interesting

The writer has a very deep understanding of human nature and makes several interesting insights. Quite amusing at times. Although some parts a bit drawn out and repetitive.

I have become a big fan

some of the same stories that he has shared with new information that puts the stories in a new light.

Fairly good

Worth a listen to but not as good as the first book. Do not regret listening to though.

Great read or listen

Learned some very interesting and useful knowledge that I will apply to my business and personal life.

Reinforces previous book

New information but similar to last book but well worth the read.

I read “predictably Irrational” years ago. It is one of a very short list of books that has improved my critical thinking, long term, on how I view the word around me. I now can spot many of my and others irrational behaviors and that has improved my success in many areas. For instance, if I know how people will generally respond in situations I can sometimes redirect the outcome. Other times it has allowed me to be at peace; understanding that are minds are programmed to act in certain ways and not take things so personally. Others behavior that used to irritate me now is just interesting and kind of fun to analyze and figure out ways to work around it for both of our benefit.

In grad school I went to my father, a graduate of the same program, panicked that I couldn’t possibly remember all the information they were throwing at me. He laughed and said” don’t worry they will repeat the important stuff over and over again”. Like a good professor, he accomplished this in the new book with just enough variation to make it interesting but still relatable and building on his last book.

I had already adapted my thinking from reading his first book so this one wasn’t all brand new information and as exciting to read for me. I am very glad I did read it though. I would recommend it highly.

Great book.

Really enjoyed this one. A worthy sequel - Didn't disappoint at all. I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed predictably irrational.