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Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness |  | Authors: Richard H. Thaler, Cass R. Sunstein
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
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Rating:  134 reviews
Sales Rank: 663
Media: Paperback
Edition: Updated
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8
ISBN: 014311526X
Dewey Decimal Number: 330.019
EAN: 9780143115267
Publication Date: February 24, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| • | Audible Audio Edition - Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness | | • | Audio CD - Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness (Your Coach in a Box) | | • | Audible Audio Edition - Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness [Expanded Edition] | | • | Paperback - Nudge | | • | Paperback - Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth and happiness | | • | Audible Audio Edition - Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness | | • | Hardcover - Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness | | • | Kindle Edition - Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness |
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Product Description
Nudge is about choices-how we make them and how we can make better ones. Authors Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein offer a new perspective on preventing the countless mistakes we make- including ill-advised personal investments, consumption of unhealthy foods, neglect of our natural resources, and other bad decisions. Citing decades of cutting-edge behavioral science research, they demonstrate that sensible "choice architecture"can successfully nudge people towards the best decisions without restricting their freedom of choice. S straightforward, informative, and entertaining, this is a must-read for anyone with interest in our individual and collective well-being.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 134
 Freedom of Choice comes with a gentle Nudge September 2, 2010
Eleanor Stoneham (London UK)
Welcome to the fascinating world of "libertarian paternalism," our Automatic and Reflective Systems, choice architecture, and the principle of "nudging."
Basically most of us are fallible Humans: lazy or confused, or simply too busy, to make the right decisions in life without some help. Only a few of us are Econs, or the perfect economic man, using his capability to maximum benefit for himself and others.
Here is a description, often amusing, but always with a serious message, of how we can be influenced in our decision-making, with enormous implications for us all; of how small features in any situation can have massive effects on our behaviour, "nudging" us in good or bad ways, and how this phenomenon can be beneficially applied without compromising freedom of choice. The authors tackle smoking, obesity, saving for retirement, health care, climate change, even making suggestions for rethinking the institution of marriage (basically privatize it). They even invite our own ideas on suitable topics for future nudging treatment (see [...]). The authors really do deliver what they promise in the strapline: ways to improve our decisions about health, wealth and happiness. And whilst written with an American emphasis this is no less readable or relevant anywhere else.
The authors not only explain how both public and private policies can be improved, but show that these ideas can usefully cut across political divides, in our overly polarized society, and are relevant for anyone in any position of responsibility, of leadership or authority, for example in business, in church groups, in clubs, etc. and yes, even in families (how, I wonder, can I "nudge" my son to tidy his room?!). At governmental level these ideas, they explain, will make for better governance, and this significance is seemingly not lost on either David Cameron or Barack Obama.
The book concludes with a thoughtful chapter that tackles head on any objections we may have - fears of the "slippery slope," or the potential "bad" nudgers, for example; and how to avoid a "nudge" becoming a "shove" or even worse.
The second edition also has a chapter on the 2007/08 financial crisis. This explains with clarity and within the context of the book just why the crash happened, and how we may be able to avoid a repeat, but only, the authors stress, if we ensure we understand fully the human behaviour behind it.
One of the problems with the almost inevitable lag between researching an idea and the final publication of the book based on that idea is that in this increasingly fast moving world things can date very rapidly. But this is a very minor criticism and in no way detracts from the value of this book, with its advice which if not exactly timeless should certainly have a long and useful shelf life.
This is a book I would like to have written myself; I certainly wish I had known of it when it first came out in 2008. I can strongly recommend it as a good read for all thoughtful persons who would like to help create a better world for us all.
 Lock Your Chastity Belt September 2, 2010
K. Burns (Atlanta, GA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
While reading, I felt like I had been on a date before with Thaler and Sunstein. They sweet talk you through dinner and a movie; and when it comes to departing from the vehicle at the end of the night, they park in a dimly lit space and instantly develop 4 extra hands. Be prepared to be wined and dined- and even feel a little dirty after reading.
This book will probably evoke one of two responses from the reader- one of agreeableness or one of fear. I think it will depend on the fundamental beliefs of the reader about the purpose of government. I am incredibly at odds fundamentally with Thaler and Sunstein. This book causes me great distress considering Sunstein is in our current administration.
In regards to material, it really presents no new ideas. It is a book about human initiative to say the least. Man has taken initiative and invented systems and products for free-market use forever. Its when Thaler and Sunstein promote these tactics to be used by unknown and unelected governmental entities that fundamentals find their odds. America, in theory- not so much in practice anymore, is a Republic with a Federal Government constrained by a Constitution and the majority of powers delegated to its States. So, I have no problem with 50 States choosing their own course in regards to the material in this book. But I think we all know that is not Thaler and Sunsteins' objective.
Being the "Libertarian" and "Anti-Paternalist" as they would refer to me in the book, I was quite offended by their adoption of the oxymoronic name "Libertarian Paternalists". Demagogues continue to glom on to freedom promoting terms. For instance, we can no longer call ourselves Liberals- we have to call ourselves Classic Liberals. I see the same happening to the term "Libertarian" if this "Libertarian Paternalist" takes hold. I also found it quite offensive, yet predictable that they would divide Humanity into "Econs" (read Elites) and "Humans"- of which they actually referred to numerous times as "Homer Simpsons". You, reader, are a mere Human. I began to wonder if the "unsophisticated" among us is the modern Elites' new word for "feeble-minded" used by the Elites of old.
The only positive thing I have to write about this book was Thaler and Sunstein's handling on marriage. I too believe that marriage should not require licensure, but should be handled as any other private contract between parties. Though my reasons might be different from the authors', I will admit that I support the idea. Still, Constitutionally this issue would probably be best left in the hands of each State. I can only recall one brief mention of the Constitution in this entire book, on page 249, which I believe exposes Thaler and Sunstein for who they are.
 Must read! July 27, 2010
ysmc
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I found this book insightful, relevent, practical and thought-provoking. I'm buying several copies for my friend's college kids. This is a fantastic book club selection. We can discuss the morality/ethics of manipulation. Are we obligated to manipulate others into a better decision -- for their own good? How do we take what we've learned in this book and use it to solve other problems. I look forward to helping them exercise their creative minds in the pursuit of innovative solutions through a new framework.
Interesting May 30, 2010
MoMo (Washington, DC)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
At first I squirmed at the authors' idea of "libertarian paternalism." But they made a compelling case about how government, when it designs systems, affects people's choices and why not do it in a way that makes people better off. I think there is less argument on what makes people better than most think. Very few can argue people are worse off if they: save more, smoke less, exercise more, etc. And with one of the authors taking an important role in the Obama administration, it's useful to read this book and under the with prism with which a lot of future policy decisions will be made.
 Scary Premise May 27, 2010
Dana Ryberg (Austin Texas)
6 out of 15 found this review helpful
Can you spell "manipulate"?
The premise that most people make poor decisions may well be flawed. Poor decisions based upon who's judgement? The authors?
I may think that everyone should go to church. Based on their premise I would simply mandate everyone go to church but let them choose which one.
I don't require the government or anyone else "nudge" me in any direction. I was taught to think for myself.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 134
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