Survival Guide for Outsiders or, How to Protect Yourself from Politicians, Experts, & Other Insiders

by Sherman K. Stein

The author, a mathematician, writes his first non-mathematical book. He asserts that "insiders" such as officials, "experts", and pundits are in a position to manipulate "outsiders". He discusses why outsiders are vulnerable and reveals some of the insiders' techniques, as well as suggesting ways to protect against insiders' tricks.

Genres: Mathematics

272 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Gary Godefroy]

I read this book about 10 years ago and loved it. It’s had one review so far, a 3. Now the average is 4.00, much more respectable. The main premise of the book is to be very cautious of what you think of as fact and/or truth. Stein’s conclusion—-it is often very difficult to learn truth. One should eliminate biases as much as possible and try to keep an open and inquiring mind. In today’s era of dueling politicians and 24 hour news pundits, open mindedness is perceived as weakness, and changing one’s mind upon further study is called flip-flopping.
I myself am biased. I met Sherman Stein twice. Once was at a Survival Guide book signing where the person next to me had brought his copy of Dr. Stein’s calculus book to be signed. Professor of mathematics was his primary career. Social commentary was an avocation. The 2nd time was at a party where I saw him and took the opportunity to thank him for writing the book and asked if it really took him 9 years to write. He replied, “No, it took me 16 years.” That was 2010. He was in his 90’s then and still sharp as a razor.
I have definite political beliefs, but this wonderful book made me pause and attempt to be more circumspect before reaching conclusions, particularly controversial ones.

[Gary Godefroy]

This is only the book's third review. Though obviously not destined to be a best seller, I loved it. I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Stein since we both live in Davis where he is a professor emeritus of mathematics at UCD. It was a labor of love that took over 15 years to write. It fits right in with Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow, Taleb's The Black Swan, and Haidt's The Rightous Mind. It emphasizes how difficult it is to learn truth, be it from news media, pundits, experts, etc. In this time of political polarization, he cautions us not to be easily locked into a particular belief. Truth is deceptively elusive. The more you think you know, the more you can profit from this book.

[Science For The People]

Featured on Skeptically Speaking show #57 on April 30, 2010, during an interview with author Sherman Stein. http://skepticallyspeaking.ca/episode...