You are Not So Smart: Why Your Memory is Mostly Fiction, Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook and 46 Other Ways You're Deluding Yourself

(Paperback)

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How many of your Facebook friends do you think you know Do you think you'd rush to a stranger's help when no one else would Do you think you choose which product to buy based on whether you like it Do you think you know why you procrastinate The truth is, you are not so smart. In fact, you're pretty irrational, just like everyone else. But that's OK - because that's all part of being human. In this pithy celebration of self-delusion, David McRaney explores in 48 short chapters, the assorted ways we mislead ourselves every day. Based on the popular blog, prepare for a whirlwind tour of the latest research in psychology, and to finally discover why we never get round to our New Year resolutions.

Reviews

Want to get smarter quickly Read this book.

-- David Eagleman, author of The Brain: The Story of You

Simply wonderful. An engaging and useful guide to how our brilliant brains can go badly wrong.

-- Richard Wiseman, bestselling author of 59 Seconds

Populist and funny.

* Evening Standard *

A much-needed field guide to the limits of our so-called consciousness. McRaney presents a witty case for just how witless we all are.

-- William Poundstone, author of How to Predict the Unpredictable and Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google

Every chapter is a welcome reminder that you are not so smart-yet you're never made to feel dumb. You Are Not So Smart is a dose of psychology research served in tasty anecdotes that will make you better understand both yourself and the rest of us. It turns out we're much more irrational than most of us think, so give yourself every advantage you can and read this book.

* Alexis Ohanian - co-founder of Reddit.com *

Fascinating... After reading this book, you'll never trust your brain again.

* Alex Boese, bestselling author of Elephants on Acid and Electrified Sheep *

Author Bio

Self-described psychology nerd David McRaney is a journalist and twice-recipient of the William Randolph Hearst Award. He runs the popular blog Youarenotsosmart.com. This, his first book, was a run-away success in the US; Penguin US have already commissioned the sequel for a six-figure advance.