Book Reading #44 - Why We Make Mistakes

Chapter 4: We Wear Rose Colored Glasses
Summary:
This chapter talks about how people see themselves in favorable light when recalling the past. Many examples are given to prove this is not uncommon. Some examples include student's recalling their grades being higher, and people remembering past conversations where they say favorable things. The topic of bias is also discussed and how it alters the way people view things. The example of doctors is used and how disclosing the bias to patients doesn't change their decision. What most people do when they hear a bias that doesn't make sense is ignore it, so it doesn't cancel the bias.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting because I've thought about this a little since I've been in college. It makes me think of the scenario where you ask a friend or a friend asks you how you did on an assignment. The response is sometimes something better than you expect or what you actually made. I don't think this type of thinking is uncommon in a lot of aspects of everyday life. It's just how people think and want to see themselves to be viewed.

Chapter 5: We Can Walk and Chew Gum - but Not Much Else
Summary:
This chapter talks about how we cannot actually multitask and the effects this multitasking has in our lives. Examples were given to show that when people try to take on multiple tasks their brains slow down and it becomes harder to regain concentration after these multiple tasks are completed. It gave examples of how people are trying to fight this in society by implementing devices in cars that people think make it safer while driving.

Discussion: 
I liked how the author introduced the idea of multitasking with computers. He said people think they can multitask but computers can't even do it. I think it's a bad idea how many people are viewing the car as a type of living room and it must have as many devices as possible. On the other hand it is good that this stuff is being added because no matter what happens people will always try to divide their attention so ways to make it safer are important, even if it isn't a good idea while driving in the first place.