Blink

Have you ever wondered how many decisions you have had to make in as little time as it takes you to blink? In this world of computers and Statistical analysis tool dont we always yearn for that critical Data, which we believe is the necessary ingredient to make a right decision.In a given situation most of us would go for a choice that has been mathematically formulated and statistically derived by countering for all possible contingencies, than for a choice made in a split second.

However we have seen that a lot of times these well informed decisions fail to produce the desired result.At the same time many Decisions made out of gut feeling and experience succeed, and you are justified in choosing it even though you chose it just because something within you said that it is the right choice.

This is the theme of the book titled blink, written by Malcom gladwell.This book analyses how the impressions formed in the first few seconds when we face a situations can guide us to make right or wrong decisions. This book argues that availability of more data and time doesnt mean that you will make better decisions than if you would make without them.This book analyses how decisions made in a split second can be made more effective and how to master this

The book goes on giving numerous real life examples and studies that have proved, how people can who have made effective split second decision were right and people who made a decision based on scientific analysis of data were wrong. The book also recognises that not in all situations are these split second decisions always right.

It was a altogether new experience reading this book.Unlike the normal non fiction books this one was a refreshingly different angle to decision making. Even though I am not 100% with the way this book is written, I have to say i do believe the theory that the probability of success of any decision made is 1/2 and if we go by that theory a decision made in a split second is as good as any other.