CSI Chat

#36 - Dan Levy and Richard Zeckhauser

Jul 8, 2025
Join Dan Levy and Richard Zeckhauser, Harvard Kennedy School professors, as they delve into the art of decision-making. They share insights on utilizing extreme and simple cases for making better choices, whether ordering dinner or navigating complex issues like tariffs. The duo also tackles the infamous Super Bowl 49 decision, exploring how good decisions can lead to bad outcomes. With a blend of humor and analytics, they make the intricacies of decision theory both relatable and engaging.
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ADVICE

Ask Waiters Smart Questions

  • When choosing a meal at a new restaurant, avoid asking "what do you recommend?" as it may bias the waiter.
  • Instead, ask which dishes they sell the most to gain better information for your decision.
ADVICE

Prioritize Analysis Importance

  • Don't overanalyze small decisions, like what to eat, focus on important ones like retirement portfolio.
  • Practice decision-making on low-stakes issues to improve skills for bigger problems.
INSIGHT

Expertise Guides Decision Skills

  • People make good decisions in their expertise areas but often struggle outside those domains.
  • Recognizing hesitation in unfamiliar areas helps improve overall decision-making.
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