The Decisive Moment Chapter Summary
In chapter 8 of Jonah Lehrer’s The Decisive Moment, the author illustrates how Michael Binger, a professional poker player makes his decisions. Lehrer asserts that “the only thing that separates the experts from the amateurs is the quality of their decisions”(pg210,p1). “The Art of Cards”(pg219,p2) examines the techniques used by Binger and how poker players “master the game”(pg219,p3) and explains how “The Power of Unconscious Thought”(pg221,p4) can lead to better decision making. “Using Both Sides of the Brain”(pg227,p2) sketches out a taxonomy of decision making, applying the knowledge of the brain to the real world(pg232,p3). Poker is a statistical game that involves mathematical decisions made by the rational part of our brains, but
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If the details of the product or problem are not practically important and the decision doesn’t matter that much then base your choice on rationality.
“Novel problems also require reason.” (pg234,p4,l1) “If the problem really is unprecedented” (pg235,p2,l1) and you have not experienced it before “then your emotions cant save you”(pg235,p2,l2), you must use rationality and executive control to tackle the dilemma.
“Embrace uncertainty.” (pg235,p4,l1) Overconfidence can result in neglecting the evidence that contradicts your conclusion (pg235,p4,l6). To avoid this mistake, you must “always entertain competing hypotheses” (pg236,p2,l2) and “continually remind yourself of what you don’t know” (pg236,p3,l1).
“You know more than you know.” (pg236,p4,l1) Emotions have a logic all of their own (pg237,p1,l5). They have the ability to translate mistakes into educational events, accumulating wisdom through error
If the details of the product or problem are not practically important and the decision doesn’t matter that much then base your choice on rationality.
“Novel problems also require reason.” (pg234,p4,l1) “If the problem really is unprecedented” (pg235,p2,l1) and you have not experienced it before “then your emotions cant save you”(pg235,p2,l2), you must use rationality and executive control to tackle the dilemma.
“Embrace uncertainty.” (pg235,p4,l1) Overconfidence can result in neglecting the evidence that contradicts your conclusion (pg235,p4,l6). To avoid this mistake, you must “always entertain competing hypotheses” (pg236,p2,l2) and “continually remind yourself of what you don’t know” (pg236,p3,l1).
“You know more than you know.” (pg236,p4,l1) Emotions have a logic all of their own (pg237,p1,l5). They have the ability to translate mistakes into educational events, accumulating wisdom through error