

378: Steven Johnson | How We Make the Decisions That Matter the Most
Jul 16, 2020
Steven Johnson, a best-selling author and host of the Fighting Coronavirus podcast, dives into the nuances of decision-making. He discusses the inadequacies of traditional methods, like the pros and cons list, and suggests structured approaches for complex choices. Johnson introduces the concept of the 'premortem' to enhance decision quality and explores how AI can assist in predicting outcomes. The importance of diverse perspectives and storytelling in decision-making is also highlighted, making for a compelling discussion on improving our cognitive strategies.
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Harbinger's House Purchase
- Jordan Harbinger bought his first house with little deliberation, influenced by his father-in-law.
- He put more thought into brunch orders than this major purchase, highlighting impulsive decisions.
Importance of Decision-Making Processes
- While most daily decisions require minimal thought, major life choices benefit from structured processes.
- These key decisions significantly impact one's life trajectory and warrant careful consideration.
Pros and Cons Lists of the Greats
- Ben Franklin and Charles Darwin, despite their intellectual prowess, used simple pros and cons lists.
- Darwin even used one to decide whether to marry, humorously listing "better than a dog anyhow" as a pro.