Everyday Survival: Why Smart People Do Stupid Things (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
I only gave this book three stars (a "like" rating) because of the direction it took. Since I had already decided to read the book I avoided reading reviews in order to prevent from having any pre-formed ideas. I'm glad I didn't because I probably would have skipped this one.I started the book with the notion that we would learn why everyone makes stupid mistakes, regardless of their amount of training or knowledge. I found many of the anecdotes interesting and his take on entropy very deep. What I found frustrating was that the book took all that information to the level of us "killing the earth" and that "we need to do something now or our children will die because of global warming".Not that I'm pro or anti The global warming (yes I called titled it), I just didn't want to read about it. At least I didn't want to be told that our ideas are wrong and that we have to change our mental models to save the world.Overall I liked the book but could have done without the "agenda". Not the book I expected, but a long meditative look at the entire history of the universe, entropy, the nature of life, the evolution of caring, groupness, etc. Mr. Gonzales weaves an exotic tale out of the most wide-reaching science. This book has a strong message about global warming & expresses a worldview different from my own, but the language is beautiful and there is a good-take away from it: "ay attention to the world around you. It is more wonderous and vast that you think, things interconnect in ways we don't think about, so don't miss it!"
What do You think about Everyday Survival: Why Smart People Do Stupid Things (2009)?
This book is largely an argument for evolution. That view makes life seem pointless and hopeless.
—mDahmad
Not nearly as enjoyable as his previous book, Deep Survival. But I'm working my way through it.
—thejesh
Great premise: we need to think more instead of going through life in a vacation state of mind!
—Khalifa
And little heavy - handed at times, it was otherwise a very provocative book.
—shadow
