The Paradox of Choice

Why More is Less

By: Barry Schwartz

Narrated by: Ken Kliban

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

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.

Watch the TED talk

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator seemed to approach this book like he was reading Charles Dickens. Not really appropriate here. After watching the TED talk by Barry Schwartz it is difficult to listen to this narrator.

Interesting but took a long time to finish

After abandoning the book a year ago I finally came back to it and finished it. I found it interesting but a little repetitive.

Solid Listen

Not gonna lie, at first I wasn’t so sure I was going to like this book. The narrator didn’t make the best first impression on me, and I wasn’t seeing how this book would be as eye opening as I’d originally hoped. But, after making my way through the first half hour or so, I began to like it more, and by the end, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think what made the difference for me was seeing how all of the examples could be applied to my life

Changed my life really

I tend to be somewhat of a maximizer and this book helped me to realize the underlying problem I am facing. This is the first step to simplifying your life for being happier.

Would read again

Really a very interesting addition to the collection of business psychology books that are out there. It analyzes choice and the number of choices and how they affect people and their moods and attitudes and happiness with those choices.

Great discussion

I absolutely loved it . Scientific evidence helped a lot in believing the argument made by the author.

Great Information!

Solid information with a lot of research to back up what the author is trying to get across. Definitely helped me rethink my decision making process to save time, regret, and mental lethargy.

Only downside was the reader read this at a sloooooow pace, but if you up the playback speed it helps and doesn’t interfere with understanding what the reader is saying.

Nailed the subject!

Spot on! This is absolutely what is going on with every person in the U.S. and many other peoples in the world. I am a maximizer striving to become a satisfizer.

Excellent!

While the examples and stories need updating, the principles remain EXCELLENT! Highly recommend for everyone.

Good information, distracting narration

Would you be willing to try another one of Ken Kliban’s performances?

Not likely. He had an almost forced steady rate of speech and he seemed to place too much emphasis/stress in the "ity" for words such as "opportunity" and "possibility" which was rather distracting once I noticed it.

Any additional comments?

I will likely go back and review parts of this book again, but I would get a physical copy because of the narration.