![The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less | [Barry Schwartz]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41pnhxHIYFL._SL175_.jpg "The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less | [Barry Schwartz]")
The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less
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- Regular Price :$21.95Special Offer: Learn how to get this for $7.49 !
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Average Customer Rating
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LENGTH7 hrs and 6 mins
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RELEASE DATE09-07-10
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AUDIO FORMATS
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Program TypeAudiobook
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PUBLISHER
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Publisher's Summary
In the spirit of Alvin Tofflers' Future Shock, a social critique of our obsession with choice, and how it contributes to anxiety, dissatisfaction and regret.
Whether were buying a pair of jeans, ordering a cup of coffee, selecting a long-distance carrier, applying to college, choosing a doctor, or setting up a 401(k), everyday decisions - both big and small - have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented.
We assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In the long run, this can lead to decision-making paralysis, anxiety, and perpetual stress. And, in a culture that tells us that there is no excuse for falling short of perfection when your options are limitless, too much choice can lead to clinical depression.
In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains at what point choice - the hallmark of individual freedom and self-determination that we so cherish - becomes detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. In accessible, engaging, and anecdotal prose, Schwartz shows how the dramatic explosion in choice--from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family, and individual needs--has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution. Schwartz also shows how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse.
©2004 Barry Schwartz (P)2010 Audible, Inc.
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What Members Say
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"Very true..."
Satisficers really do enjoy life more than maximizers. This I think is particularly true in a marriage.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful -
"Interesting"
This work caused me to realize that much of the stress of my life is related to the infinite list of possibilities and choices that I have to make. It also gave me a set of strategies for dealing with that stress.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful -
"Great idea, repetitive & boring first hour"
After watching TED talk and liking what I heard, I thought I'd pick up the audio book and get into some more detail.
Sadly after an hour I gave up. The first few chapters are extremely repetitive. He lists choice lists over and over again. ... 'and then you have medical insurance'. option 1, 2,3,4... 'and then you have cookies' chocolate chip, oatmeal... over and over again. I had to give up. Maybe the book will get better in the following chapters, but after an hour I decided to give up and switch to the next audiobook I'd grabbed.
From what I listened to, you could get most of the information from the above 20minute TED talk.22 of 26 people found this review helpful -
"Good Book"
I really enjoyed the information and ideas conveyed in this book, however I found the narration hard to listen to for any length of time. My next step is to pick up the hard copy.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful -
"Impressive"
Impressive,
you will get much form this book!
Repetitive? No! Good idea need long talk! always.5 of 8 people found this review helpful -
"The narration took away from the material for me."
What made the experience of listening to The Paradox of Choice the most enjoyable?The second half was useful because it was expanded material built on the first half which was material I had already read in other works.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Paradox of Choice?I often got distracted by the way the reader would just read what we're obviously section headers straight through and continue on to the text of the section. I had to mentally stop to put the organization of the work together in my head when a section header should have been an obvious part to help organize it. Setting section header off in the reading, as in the actual text, would make the reading much more coherent.
This is not the first audio book to be read this way, but it certainly was distracting to me.
Would you be willing to try another one of Ken Kliban’s performances?Not in non-fiction
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?No
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Interesting"
Far deeper than I expected. I never really thought of too much choice as deleterious.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Hard to follow"
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?Different Narrator and more stories I could relate to. Easier to follow.
What was most disappointing about Barry Schwartz’s story?I think it had a lot to do with the narrator.
How did the narrator detract from the book?Boring and not dynamic in areas.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Interessting but.."
Would you try another book from Barry Schwartz and/or Ken Kliban?Not sure, it is a bit academic
What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)No surprises
What three words best describe Ken Kliban’s voice?Ok
Do you think The Paradox of Choice needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?Nope
Any additional comments?Again, quite academic. Not sure that this book works as an audiobook.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful