Introduction: The Stranger in the Mirror If you were asked to describe yourself, you would likely describe your conscious mind. You are the narrator of your life—the voice inside your …
Introduction: The Tragedy of Kitty Genovese In the early hours of March 13, 1964, a 28-year-old woman named Kitty Genovese was stabbed outside her apartment building in Queens, New York. …
Introduction: The “Credit Card Premium” Imagine you are at a restaurant. You have finished a wonderful meal, and the bill arrives for $100. Scenario A: You open your wallet, count …
Introduction: The “Road Rage” Reflex Imagine you are driving down the highway. Suddenly, a car speeds past you, cuts you off, and weaves dangerously through traffic. What is your immediate …
Introduction: The Light Bulb Experiment In the 1920s, a telephone manufacturing plant outside Chicago called the Hawthorne Works commissioned a study to determine the relationship between lighting and productivity. The …
Introduction: The Fear of Flying vs. Driving Ask a room full of people what they are more afraid of: flying in a commercial airplane or driving a car on the …
Introduction: The Lost Ticket Paradox Imagine you are going to see a concert. Tickets cost $100. Scenario A: You arrive at the theater and realize you lost your $100 bill …
Introduction: The Firehose Problem Imagine you are trying to fill a small teacup with water. If you pour gently from a kettle, the cup fills efficiently. Now, imagine trying to …
Introduction: The Yogurt Paradox Imagine you are in a grocery store looking for a healthy yogurt. You see two options sitting side-by-side. Mathematically, these two yogurts are identical. They contain …
Introduction: The Power of Doing Nothing Imagine you inherit a large sum of money. The money is currently invested in a moderate-risk bond portfolio. A financial advisor tells you there …