Recommendations you can check.
Professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and emeritus professor at Yale; author of books on morality, pleasure and empathy, and writer of the Small Potatoes newsletter.
11 things
The Sense of StyleBook Steven Pinker
Steven Pinker goes deep, showing how understanding the science of memory, social understanding, and syntactic structure can really pay off in making one a better writer.
His list of the four books about writing he calls his favourites, on his Small Potatoes newsletter.
2024-05-13·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
Clear and Simple as the TruthBook Francis-Noël Thomas and Mark Turner
When I’m stuck and hate myself and my work, I pick up Francis-Noël Thomas and Mark Tuner’s short and wonderful book
His list of the four books about writing he calls his favourites, on his Small Potatoes newsletter.
2024-05-13·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don'tBook Julia Galef
In her wonderful first book, The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't, Julia Galef appreciates where this Soldier Mindset comes from
His list of terrific psychology books written by non-psychologists, most of them about decision making.
2024-04-08·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
The Biggest BluffBook Maria Konnikova
The Biggest Bluff is a highly enjoyable book that chronicles Konnikova’s journey from a novice at poker to a world champion—but it’s not just that.
His list of terrific psychology books written by non-psychologists, most of them about decision making.
2024-04-08·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
Transformative ExperienceBook L. A. Paul
This is a fascinating book on a fascinating topic—how we choose (and how we should choose) whether or not to make radical life changes, such as becoming a parent.
His list of terrific psychology books written by non-psychologists, most of them about decision making. In the same paragraph he discloses a conflict: the author is a close friend of his.
2024-04-08·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
Wild Problems: A Guide to the Decisions That Define UsBook Russ Roberts
This is a humane book—there is a warmth and wisdom to Roberts’ writing; he has a real affection for and curiosity about everyday decision makers—but it carries real bite.
His list of terrific psychology books written by non-psychologists, most of them about decision making.
2024-04-08·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
Trying Not to Try: The Art and Science of SpontaneityBook Edward Slingerland
This delightful book isn’t so much about how to decide what to do; it’s more about how to be cool while doing it.
His list of terrific psychology books written by non-psychologists, most of them about decision making. He notes in the same entry that he blurbed the book, and quotes his blurb.
2024-04-08·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
The Idea of the Brain: The Past and Future of NeuroscienceBook Matthew Cobb
This is a great book for anyone interested in learning about neuroscience—and I’d recommend it as well for many of my more neuro-crazed psychology professor colleagues.
His list of terrific psychology books written by non-psychologists, most of them about decision making.
2024-04-08·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
On WritingBook Stephen King
But Stephen King has good war stories, and his book really is bullshit-free.
His list of the four books about writing he calls his favourites, on his Small Potatoes newsletter.
2024-05-13·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
The Writing WorkshopBook Barbara Sarnecka
I highly recommend this for graduate students and postdocs, but it’s useful for the rest of us as well.
His list of the four books about writing he calls his favourites, on his Small Potatoes newsletter.
2024-05-13·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and LifeBook Rory Sutherland
If I were teaching a course in decision-making and had to assign one book, it would be this one.
His list of terrific psychology books written by non-psychologists, most of them about decision making.
2024-04-08·smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net ↗
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