Nonsense: The Power of Not Knowing

Nonsense: The Power of Not Knowing

An illuminating look at the surprising upside of ambiguityâ€”and how, properly harnessed, it can inspire learning, creativity, even empathy
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Life today feels more overwhelming and chaotic than ever. Whether itâ€™s a confounding work problem or a faltering relationship or an unclear medical diagnosis, we face constant uncertainty. And weâ€™re continually bombarded with information, much of it contradictory.
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Managing ambiguityâ€”in our jobs, our relationships, and daily livesâ€”is quickly becoming an essential skill. Yet most of us donâ€™t know where to begin.
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As Jamie Holmes shows in Nonsense, being confused is unpleasant, so we tend to shutter our minds as we grasp for meaning and stability, especially in stressful circumstances. Weâ€™re hard-wired to resolve contradictions quickly and extinguish anomalies. This can be useful, of course. When a tiger is chasing you, you canâ€™t be indecisive. But as Nonsense reveals, our need for closure has its own dangers. It makes us stick to our first answer, which is not always the best, and it makes us search for meaning in the wrong places. When we latch onto fast and easy truths, we lose a vital opportunity to learn something new, solve a hard problem, or see the world from another perspective.
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In other words, confusionâ€”that uncomfortable mental placeâ€”has a hidden upside. We just need to know how to use it. This lively and original book points the way.

Over the last few years, new insights from social psychology and cognitive science have deepened our understanding of the role of ambiguity in our lives and Holmes brings this research together for the first time, showing how we can use uncertainty to our advantage. Filled with illuminating storiesâ€”from spy games and doomsday cults to Absolut Vodkaâ€™s ad campaign and the creation of Mad Libsâ€”NonsenseÂ promises to transform the way we conduct business, educate our children, and make decisions.
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In an increasingly unpredictable, complex world, it turns out that what matters most isnâ€™t IQ, willpower, or confidence in what we know. Itâ€™s how we deal with what we donâ€™t understand.

From the Hardcover edition.
Country USA
Manufacturer Crown
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2015-10-13
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Manufacturer	Crown
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2015-10-13
Format	Kindle eBook

Nonsense: The Power of Not Knowing

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