Synopsis: In this fascinating book, New Yorker business columnist James Surowiecki explores a deceptively simple idea: Large groups of people are smarter than an elite few, no matter how brilliant–better at solving problems, fostering innovation, coming to wise decisions, even predicting the future. Surowiecki ranges across fields as diverse as popular culture, psychology, ant biology, behavioral economics, artificial intelligence, military history, and politics to show how this simple idea offers important lessons for how we live our lives, select our leaders, run our companies, and think about our world. (from Amazon)Review: I picked this book up as it was recommend on a nutrition website I read. The writer of the website used several of Surowiecki's arguments to prove why advice from the Internet might be better than advice from your doctor. Intrigued, I purchase a copy and dove it. I was not disappointed. Surowiecki used stories from cows at a fair, to lost submarines, to students in class to buying coffee to explain and explore this idea that one person may be stupid, but many people may be smart. The end was a bit trying, as he wrote about stock markets and hedge funds, but the fault is mine. I don't find stock markets interesting. I most enjoyed his chapters on Decentralization, Traffic and Taxes. I recommend this as an enjoyable non-fiction read that will have you thinking differently about why you do or do not engage in certain activities and how you make your choices.
Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 9-10-2013
Pages: 295
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