The Influential Mind: What the Brain Reveals About Our Power to Change Others Hardcover – September 19, 2017

explains very well why we seek/reject information at different situations; for sure there are books that explains in more/less details, but this one strikes a good balance for readers who have a basic understanding of neuroscience, and a healthy curiosity at why we behave the way we do. If you think you may learn something nice from the book, grab it while it still costs $1.99; worst consequence: return it within 7 days for a refund.

Tali Sharot is a cognitive neuroscientist. “I work at the intersection between psychology and neuroscience.” And what an interesting workplace it is. It’s a place reinforced by data and studies and experiments, but which still provides a view of the surrounding landscape we call the human experience.As the title suggests, this is a book about influence. What is it and how does it work? Some of the answers are logically obvious, but understanding the why behind the what always contributes to better understanding and more effective application. Much of it, however, is counter-intuitive, although here Dr. Sharot puts the knowledge in context, which has the effect of making the counter-intuitive inherently intuitive. It’s our perspective, not the reality, which causes the initial misrepresentation.I can’t say whether the book did a better job of expanding the understanding necessary to influence others or better understanding the way in which I myself am influenced. And that, in the end, is a testament to the overall structure of the book. It’s comprehensive and even-handed, a balance that is often lacking in this kind of work.Dr. Sharot’s philosopher-self also chimes into the discussion from time to time. “There is no single truth we all agree on.” It is a timeless observation that has, perhaps, never been more timely or appropriate.One example that could only be found at the intersection of psychology and neuroscience is: “It is important, then, to be mindful that we are altering people’s emotions simply by experiencing feelings ourselves.” Emotion is a two-headed arrow—a dichotomy; much like a lot of life.In turns out that influence is a little subtler than we might have come to believe. The right strategy requires the right context. It’s another reminder that no behavior exists in a vacuum. Before we can figure out what to do, we must know where we are. It makes sense to me.One of the money lines for me was: “It’s not magic; nor is it wisdom. It’s math.” (The middle four words are the treasure.) In this case Dr. Sharot is talking about external and systematic bias, perhaps the greatest challenge we face in the computational age of digital rankings and the super-sized influence of digital virality. (Would be writers and artists, in particular, will find some much needed shelter in her analysis in this area. I know I did.)She also reinforces the duality of the human convention of language, which, she notes has existed in the written form for only 5,200 years, a blink of the eye on the human timeline. It has, she insightfully observes, opened new doors to knowledge and pathways of influence that lead both to understanding and misinformation. (Fake news is not new; technology has simply empowered it.)All told this is a very solid book that almost everyone will get something out of. The writing is fluid and the author shows a sense of wit and good humor not always found in books built on scientific research.I honestly can’t explain why I didn’t give this book a five star rating. It is definitely worth your time. Whatever the reason I suspect it had something to do with influence. Most things do.

Though none o the readers of the won’t immediately become mind alterers they may suffer far less on communicating their ideas.A concrete and essential guide to our basic mental mechanisms.

“So good! This book is so good,” I found myself muttering out loud several times while reading this. A skilled writer and a sharp thinker, neuroscientist Tali Sharot has assembled a strong work of non-fiction that fans of Malcolm Gladwell, Dan Pink, and Robert Cialdini will love. I’ve long believed that influence is a huge key for success and this book instantly deserves a place among the classic literature on the topic.

What frustrates me about many treatise book like this one is the endless list of experiments listed, in order to express a concept. And this is boring, useless. In a passage the author explains how positiveness can induce action and negative feedback induces inaction. Fine, I got it, and it is OK to quote a couple of case studies to stress the concept. But here it goes on giving several too many examples all to demonstrate the same concept. Which makes me think that without listing all copy experiements and case study, the book would just not be long enough.I didn't even reach the half of it and I am rather bored. I guess this is an OK book with someone with just little knowledge about human mind, maybe a very young, naive, unexperienced reader.

I like to read and meditate. I cannot abide books that say nothing to stimulate thought. This book is very stimulating. I read it and meditated on what I was learning. There have been a number of very good books on how our minds work. Thinking, Fast and Slow, The Art of Thinking Clearly and others; this is in the top 5.

I don’t watch a lot of news. That doesn’t mean I am not informed, I just get my news from other forms. I don’t watch news of television because most of the time I only see a lot of debating. Now there is nothing specifically wrong with debating, in fact I believe when I debate a topic I learn more about that topic. However, here is one thing you never see at the end of a debate: someone changing their mind or someone telling their opponent they are right.Why?The simple answer: it takes a lot for us to change our mind. Now that doesn’t me we are not gullible or easily fooled or manipulated. That actually happens all the time, but takes a handful of factors to influence our brains.For example, if you have a strong conviction on gun control (or the lack thereof), there is no journal article or set of data I can give you the will convince you otherwise. There is just more to us humans that cold facts. We are controlled by our prior beliefs, emotions, incentives, independence, curiosity, well-being and others.I like to think of myself as a rational, education man, but when time and time again I give way to superstitions, habits, and internet ads; not because I am weak, but because I am human.The Influential Mind covers all these aspects of influence. This is not the best book concerning this concept, but it is still pretty good. I picked this book up after hearing the author speak on a few podcasts. If you have read other books concerning choice or human influential behavior, then you probably have heard of this book already.

One of my favorite summer reads so far this year. Neuroscience blended sociology research that contains information that I found to be useful. I am hopeful that other people in this COUNTRY find it to be beneficial information as well. Have a beautiful day.