Nonsense: The Power of Not Knowing

ISBN: 0385348398

Author: Holmes, Jamie

Condition: New

An illuminating look at the surprising upside of ambiguity-and how, properly harnessed, it can inspire learning, creativity, even empathyLife today feels more overwhelming and chaotic than ever. Whether its a confounding work problem or a faltering relationship or an unclear medical diagnosis, we face constant uncertainty. And were continually bombarded with information, much of it contradictory.Managing ambiguity-in our jobs, our relationships, and daily lives-is quickly becoming an essential skill. Yet most of us dont know where to begin.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. Were hard-wired to resolve contradictions quickly and extinguish anomalies. This can be useful, of course. When a tiger is chasing you, you cant 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.In other words, confusion-that uncomfortable mental place-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 stories-from spy games and doomsday cults to Absolut Vodkas ad campaign and the creation of Mad Libs-Nonsense promises to transform the way we conduct business, educate our children, and make decisions.In an increasingly unpredictable, complex world, it turns out that what matters most isnt IQ, willpower, or confidence in what we know. Its how we deal with what we dont understand.