In 'Nudge,' Thaler and Sunstein argue that by understanding how people think, we can design 'choice architectures' that nudge people toward better decisions for themselves, their families, and society. The book introduces the concept of 'libertarian paternalism,' where gentle nudges guide people toward beneficial choices without limiting their freedom. It explores various aspects of human decision-making, including the distinction between the 'Automatic System' and the 'Reflective System' of thinking, and provides numerous examples of how nudges can be applied in real-life scenarios to improve outcomes in health, finance, and other areas[1][3][5].
In 'Factfulness,' Hans Rosling, along with his son Ola and daughter-in-law Anna, addresses why people systematically get answers wrong about global trends. They identify ten instincts that distort our perspective, such as dividing the world into 'us' and 'them,' the influence of fear-driven media, and the misconception that most things are getting worse. The book argues that, despite its imperfections, the world is in a better state than many believe and provides a framework to see progress clearly by focusing on facts rather than biases.
US President, Donald Trump, took office exactly two months ago on the day this goes live. His decisions have got some people seriously worried – including Harvard Law Professor, Cass Sunstein. He recently warned about their possible consequences in his New York Times piece "This theory is behind Trump's Power Grab". Prof Sunstein is also the co-author of Nudge, the global best-seller that has influenced the way governments around the globe think about policy. Bruce met Cass at a conference and couldn’t pass up the chance to find out more about this revolutionary thinking that has changed the world.
5:30 What is a Nudge?
· Defining the concept of nudging
· The balance between freedom of choice and influence
10:15 The Science Behind Nudging
· Why humans are susceptible to nudges
· How choice architecture shapes behaviour
· The role of the brain in processing decisions
14:00Real-World Applications of Nudging
· How nudging is used in public policy and business
· The role of automatic enrolment in behaviour change
18:45 The Ethics of Nudging
· The potential dangers of nudging for manipulation
· Dark patterns in marketing and politics
· The responsibility of governments and corporations
22:30 The Power of Repetition & Misinformation
· The illusory truth effect: why repetition makes falsehoods believable
· Social media’s role in amplifying misinformation
26:00 Final Thoughts
· The importance of ethical decision-making
· How to apply nudging principles in everyday life
Professor Sunstein’s NY Times piece - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/opinion/trump-roberts-unitary-executive-theory.html .
Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness – Cass Sunstein & Richard Thaler
Look Again – Cass Sunstein & Tali Sharot
Harvard Law School
Audio clip Credit: AP:
The Art of Deciding is produced by Podcart - https://www.podcart.co.uk/
Bruce Whitfield is an award winning journalist, best-selling author and speaker https://www.brucewhitfield.com/
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The Art of Deciding 
