We all make predictions. But we rarely test to see whether those predictions come true. Some of my predictions stand out - "The Mall of America will fWe all make predictions. But we rarely test to see whether those predictions come true. Some of my predictions stand out - "The Mall of America will fail within five years" comes to mind. What makes somebody good at predicting?
Tetlock has the answers, from years of research. And it rings true. Experts are cautious and always re-examining the data. They make incremental changes to their predictions. They take the time to evaluate whether their predictions were right or wrong, and update their knowledge appropriately.
I don't know how I'll use the results. But I certainly enjoyed reading it!...more
While it's only January 7, I'm still pretty sure this will be one of my favorite books of the year! Munroe does a great job of finding interesting queWhile it's only January 7, I'm still pretty sure this will be one of my favorite books of the year! Munroe does a great job of finding interesting questions and doing incredible research into the answers. He also brings his explanations down to the level where a political science major can understand them.
The questions can border on the absurd, such as, "What if the solar system was filled with soup through the orbit of Mercury," he then walks through what would happen, lightly touching on the science behind it.
Whether you're deep into science or just science-curious as I am, I guarantee you'll enjoy it!...more
This is an amazing book, and it truly inspired me. I've wondered some in my career. I'm no Van Gogh but I have been in IT, training, product managemenThis is an amazing book, and it truly inspired me. I've wondered some in my career. I'm no Van Gogh but I have been in IT, training, product management, marketing, and retail displays, until I found my home in customer experience.
Similarly, I've found that those who are best in customer experience came from somewhere else. I never understood why that was before this book.
It's inspired me to read more broadly outside my discipline, to learn from other domains. Read this book. You'll be glad you did!...more
I loved the original, with 50 secrets. But it's been about ten years since I read that, so decided to read this one. I rated the original 5 stars, butI loved the original, with 50 secrets. But it's been about ten years since I read that, so decided to read this one. I rated the original 5 stars, but I don't recommend this to those who read the original. It felt like retreading old ground....more
I saw Ron speak at the National Speaker's Association conference, and was blown away with his deep thinking. This book is a good resource for him. I'dI saw Ron speak at the National Speaker's Association conference, and was blown away with his deep thinking. This book is a good resource for him. I'd like to see more in terms of templates and tools to help the reader apply his learning. Maybe he has them, but they weren't referenced in the book.
That said, this was a good read to make me think differently about our organization and our strategy - and what can be better than that?...more
This overall a good book. My only nit-picky negatives is that it isn't clear upon looking at it that this is really focused on fiction writers. Lots oThis overall a good book. My only nit-picky negatives is that it isn't clear upon looking at it that this is really focused on fiction writers. Lots of pieces on writing for magazines, for example.
But the rest is really helpful. Lots of good things to think about, from real authors. I'd recommend it if you're looking to write a book.
Then I'd reconsider why you want to do that to yourself....more
I've loved every one of the Heath Brother's books; even though Chip isn't involved with this one due to health reasons, it still inspires me. This is I've loved every one of the Heath Brother's books; even though Chip isn't involved with this one due to health reasons, it still inspires me. This is the type of book I want to write, so I'm trying to model our next book after it - much easier said than done!...more
The literary references largely escaped me. But the detailed description of their life together was amazing. This book inspired me to think more aboutThe literary references largely escaped me. But the detailed description of their life together was amazing. This book inspired me to think more about what I want from life, at a time where that's very relevant.
This is well-written, but really hard to read! Stevenson walks through the heartbreak of injustice built into our system. Multiple times I had to put This is well-written, but really hard to read! Stevenson walks through the heartbreak of injustice built into our system. Multiple times I had to put the book down because it was so frustrating - but I kept picking it back up again!...more
As an author myself, I hate to give a bad review. But this isn't a great book.
I saw this at an airport store, and saw the testimonials, and so picked As an author myself, I hate to give a bad review. But this isn't a great book.
I saw this at an airport store, and saw the testimonials, and so picked it up off of Amazon. I wish I hadn't. This is standard "You should be a leader and have a good culture" stuff. The examples are only of one company, and aren't terribly compelling. Skip this book and read "Traction" instead. I read the first chapter, read much of the second, then started skimming. Eventually gave up.
My "favorite" part is when they review leadership vs. management, then say you should be leaders, but then what they tell you to do is traditional management work!
Their formula is: Quote somebody famous in one paragraph. Write an interpretation in the next. Repeat....more