The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz Buy book: $15.56
In the spirit of Alvin Toffler's "Future Shock," comes a social critique of the obsession with choice, particularly in the realm of consumer goods, which the author argues is linked directly to the epidemic of anxiety and dissatisfaction in America.
So far so good. This author is giving me something to think about. It never occurred to me that I may have spent too much time choosing things. But then I like stores and websites that have a lot of variety in prices and stock.
I need to read more excerpts to see if I want to read this book.
I am definitiely going to do some research on this author to see why he thinks that mental illness has anything to do with having so many choices. I agree that life and the choices that go along with it are often difficult and confusing. In another way of thinking, it is wonderful that we have such a variety of choices.
It is a confusing issue. I am interested enough by what I have read so far to see what he is trying to convey.
I remember the 50's and 60's when life was much simpler and quieter, but those days are gone for good and can only exist in my memories.
It is a fact that the human race will continue to evolve and come up with even more wonderful inventions and technology. And our freedom of choice will continue to grow. I for one value this freedom. There are some countries where there is very little freedom. From what I can observe it does not seem to be a very happy existence. Why are so many people still coming to America where life is so much better?
The problem of excessive choices seems to be unavoidable in everyday life. Every time one goes to a restaurant, the "server" has to explain in great deal the menu choices, even the extensive salad dress choices. The problem is everywhere! One cause in tangible goods is we tend to assume that just because technology advances makes a choice possible, it is worthy of considerations. Hopefully, this book will tell us how to deal with this nonsense...
I believe he wrote an article a year or so ago on this - really interesting. If so he will get into several value estimation systems that people often employ. The good news is that as a male I easily fall into one mode that copes reasonable well with excessive choice.
This excerpt speaks directly to me. Seeking freedom from having to go out spending precious time shopping, I opened an E-Bay account an began shopping online. What looked like saving time, has become an almost daily obsession of checking new postings and looking for the lowest price for the highest quality items. The many options (previously unknow), and the magnitude of variety within a catagory (such as linens), make shopping online mind boggling. Not to mention the hunreds of individual sellers one can add to your favorites list. Now I see why people turn to computer software to organize their purchases and minimize their time online. Before, I would have been satisified with a new purchase I found at a store just around the corner. Now I'm being shipped items from all over the world. It's a little overwhelming. E-Bay has given me a freedom to choose that I never had before, but has cost me in time, the one thing I wanted to save. And I spend much more money that I intended. How to find a balance?
eBay is a good example - there is SO much "out there" and, largely due to our enhanced technology, now we know all about it. Not only does this seriously broaden our choices, but I think it makes us want many more things. I know that I often have to stop and think "am I confusing 'want' with 'need'"? Usually I think I NEED it but, truth be told, I only WANT it.
Aren't there accounts from people who have previously had little and known little about what was available but did OK, when they had their horizons broadened to just how much there is in the world (excess?), then these people feel they lived a very inferior existence "before"?
Really, know thy self....what are you content with? What really suits your personality at the time? People change moods, tastes and go back and forth between tastes, its alright. The imbalances seems to me to be trying too frequently new products...set limits for yourself that you are content with. I remember when my child was developing at approximately age two and I let him watch other channels besides PBS. First rule/guideline: "Do not ask me for anything you see on T.V. when we go shopping. Mommy knows if you need and I will ask you if you like it and want it for now...when you get older you will understand better. These messages want you to want the stuff you see son...but we cannot always afford or need them." I repeated that message to him each time we watched T.V. and it worked...shopping with my son at an early age was a breeze and pleasure for both of us...so as an adult we can reason with ourselves the same way???
Deciding if I had the energy to read this was just another choice too many for me. Of course we are overwhelmed by everything! Everyone, including this author, has something to offer the overwhelmed and prey on them. This author seems to have great quotes, and maybe researched his argument, but do we need to know in detail the complexity of our universe? In one sentence he might say: We should prioritize our time, be practical, and everything in moderation. When I read "mental illness," it seemed like the author was taking a cheap shot to draw in the weak and confused. Do we need to consume the consumed? Irony! The author delivers directly to the epidemic of anxiety and dissatisfaction in America! Irony should be the title of this book. In all fairness, I will read more. It just seems like too much choice is to also read this book. Hope I am disappointed. It starts out like an essay from high school that went too far.
I loved J. Purdy's comment that this book "starts out like an essay from high school that went too far." In the beginning, I could identify with the narrative about shopping for jeans, but my interest began to lag as the author began describing the lay-out for the rest of the book in Monday's installment. Tuesday's excerpt turned into even more of an outline, which is not what I am looking for in a book to read in my spare time. I think the concept of the book was worth the research, and I'm sure the author has developed some unique conclusions, but if I'm bored after 10 pages, I'm not going to stick around to find out what they are. Thank goodness there are still 3 more days for redemption!
Luckily my buying choices are limited to the 50% off last ticketed price rack, usually pretty small & usually not my size or style so I don't have to spend a lot of time. Can certainly identify with the jeans-buying scenario though! And the "grocery" store - time spent wandering through huge aisles packed with too much stuff.
Having all these choices is the price we all pay for embracing a consumer culture. I'll opt for slow and simple every time, thanks, but it's impossible to ignore fast and complicated because we are surrounded by it. Re - "good enough" for kids - remeber when kids' clothes were about durability and comfort, not style except maybe at Easter time? A few patches and they were "good enough" to wear a few months longer. Ah well, I won't rant about the good old days but I feel sorry for all these little girls dressed like hookers.
On Sunday my husband stopped my obsessive label readin by kindly pointing out that "it's just a loaf of bread". Even finding a place to stay in another city can be a real chore as I feel obliged to first check TripAdvisor.com and then compare prices at all the major travel sites.
The choices of products don't dismay me. It doesn't take me very long to find what i need in products, my needs are simple. But what makes me crazy is trying to get a specific service, and running into the limited choices on a touch tone phone, or not being able to complete a form that insists on my first name instead of an initial. Do you suppose the abundance of choices in consumer goods has ruined me? No doubt it has made me neurotic
I agree there are way too many choices in many areas, but I do have to point out one thing: I shop at a huge grocery store with a lot of variety because I have food allergies and it's the only place that carries products I can eat. Some of the choices are valuable (low sodium, low sugar, gluten free) for people with specific medical issues.
I do think there is a way to balance this, but it takes more conscious decision making than most retailers are will to do.
I agree with you. I like a food store with lots of choices.
I also like to fill out those surveys that ask what improvements can be made with cleaning and household products.
This is just too much for me. I enjoy nonfiction but I've graduated college and I don't really care to read someone else's research paper in my spare time.
To me, it all boils down to money. Companies want to make all they can so if they see another company's product is selling well, they will create their own version; thus all the choices for the same stuff.
I take exception to the view on college. Maybe this is true of certain universities. I will be transferring to a university next year. I am currently at a community college, and we had REQUIRED subjects-some that I have absolutely no need for in my declared major. Ethics and college adjustment courses are also offered. The university I am entering has 30 of its credits mandatory for my major. Maybe there is too much choice in some areas, but I am glad we have choices.
Don't know but my guess is that shopping was never at the top of anyones favorite thing to do - especially grocery shopping. Is he taking into account that some of the stress we feel is coming from the time pressure of having too many things to do and not enough time, or could it be the traffic snarls that need to be negociated to get to the store. Maybe it's the prices we have to pay. Or could it be the rude behaviors we have to endure from other shoppers or the sales staff? Too many Choices is an interesting concept but I think it's a little too much for me.
I think I know where the author is going with this, and there are some good points to be made. But it is as if he is ignoring the point of his recommendations, and getting lost in a long roundabout ramble. At this rate its likely to be 500 pages and still not to the point
This book reminds me of why I got so easily bored during summer vacations, so many years ago. There was no Internet, no Gaming systems, no home PCs, no DVDs or CDs.
So we played board games, card games, sports, and watched hokey shows like "Dark Shadows". We walked on long trips for very little, except to explore what was then a safer world.
I feel the author maybe focused on the wrong choices. For example, the then and now aspects of popcorn. Then: you had regular popcorn, multicolor popcorn or Jiffy Pop. It was all made on the kitchen range, and took more skill than punching buttons on the microwave.
Now: the current youth stands on the technology of several generations. Baby Boomers need to choose "oldfashion", "natural", "movie theatre", "corn on the cob", or a dozen others. But for youth, there is only one method of choice. Take away the microwave many cannot make it. Only those who have asked, (or had great teachers/parents), would know how to use the range to produce popcorn. So youth today feel a microwave is a necessary part of the kitchen, where older family members consider it a luxury. I am not a specialist, but this would create the greatest rift to me, instead of the increase of variety of choices.
