The Scout Mindset

Galef, Julia

£14.99

In ‘The Scout Mindset’, Julia Galef explores two different modes of thinking, the ‘soldier’ and the ‘scout’ mindset. Unfortunately, most of us naturally have a ‘soldier’ mindset, were we protect our beliefs aggressively and ignore any evidence that we might be wrong. But to be right more often, we need to approach ideas more like a scout. A scout surveys the land, seeking accuracy and understanding to find all the available information – good and bad – to gain a more truthful picture.

Out of stock

Publish Date: 13/04/2021

Description

‘Original, thought-provoking and a joy to read’ Tim Harford

‘Highly recommended. It’s not easy to become (more of) a scout, but it’s hard not to be inspired by this book’ Rutger Bregman

‘With insights that are both sharp and actionable, The Scout Mindset picks up where Predictably Irrational left off. Reading it will teach you to think more clearly, see yourself more accurately, and be wrong a little less often’ Adam Grant

When it comes to what we believe, humans see what they want to see. In other words, we have what Julia Galef calls a ‘soldier’ mindset. From tribalism and wishful thinking, to rationalising in our personal lives and everything in between, we are driven to defend the ideas we most want to believe – and shoot down those we don’t.

But if we want to get things right more often we should train ourselves to think more like a scout. Unlike the soldier, a scout’s goal isn’t to defend one side over the other. It’s to go out, survey the territory, and come back with as accurate a map as possible. Regardless of what they hope to be the case, above all, the scout wants to know what’s actually true.

In The Scout Mindset, Galef shows that what makes scouts better at getting things right isn’t that they’re smarter or more knowledgeable than everyone else. It’s a handful of emotional skills, habits, and ways of looking at the world – which anyone can learn.

With fascinating examples ranging from how to survive being stranded in the middle of the ocean, to how Jeff Bezos avoids overconfidence, to how superforecasters outperform CIA operatives, to Reddit threads and modern partisan politics, Galef explores why our brains deceive us and what we can do to change the way we think.

Additional information

Weight 340 g
Dimensions 232 × 152 × 26 mm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

288

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

658.403 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K