still offers a cutting edge look at the way the mind works, particularly when it comes to making snap judgements. If you're a psychology buff like I am and like to read bizarre case studies and see how they relate to your own life, then look no further. It's pretty fascinating stuff. According to Malcolm Gladwell, our minds often make astute decisions for us before we've had a chance to consciously weigh any pros and cons. In the heat of the moment, something in our subconscious mind will often lead us in the appropriate direction before we're even aware of the necessity of action. For example, if we're in a terrifying situation, like being held at gunpoint, we'll often lose control of our bladders because the body can instantly suss out the fact that we don't need to use those muscles at the moment. Instead, the body's main muscle groups will steel themselves for potential impact. Crazy, right?
Unfortunately, some of the snap decisions we make may be a little disappointing. You should read about the case studies relating to racism and bigotry. Yikes. There's also evidence that given a bit of training, we're capable of reading people's minds by scrutinizing their facial expressions. But the pivotal point of the book is that there is some kind of primitive, reptilian facet of our brains that operates without our knowledge or consent when it comes to spur of the moment actions. The trick is to try and harness this ability for the greater good. How can we use this skill set to our advantage? I guess we'll have to wait for the next installment. Bring it, Mr. Gladwell.
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