Disappointed

Some weird sounds on the background in the last chapter.
Maybe, just because I already knew a great deal about nudges, but I did not enjoy the book, unfortunately. It includes unnecessarily long explanations of different insurance and saving schemes, that are not needed to understand a particular nudge point, and the tone of the book was such that it made me feel incredibly stupid, even though I am an economist by training.

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Interesting insight but a bit bland at times

This book contains some genuinely fascinating insight into human behaviour, but as book it is a bit of a slog if I’m being completely honest. I persevered and I’m glad that I have now read it, but it wasn’t exactly a thrilling read, sadly.

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It depends

If you read the Freakonomics books and Thinking Fast and Slow and are an avid listener of the Freakonomics podcast and others then this book brings nothing new.

Otherwise it’s an informative read, less so if your not from the US

In both cases the chapter on US health system feels endless.

The narrator is.. okay.

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A hot title for libertarians who want to do good

How many economists can you invite to a dinner party without spoiling it for everyone else? Why do I pull on doors that say push? Why is their no logic to my saving and borrowing? Why do I put up with default settings on my computer that annoy me?

All of these question and many more have been answered by this book along with why government campaigns on obesity are making matters worse. How to solve the pension crisis and how to get people to drink less without turning into a fascist.

"Libertarian paternalism" they call it or how to design and frame choices so that they have positive outcomes that individuals and society would want when they are thinking logically.

It?s a very important book and highly influential on some decision makers in the UK and the States, I knew that when I bought it; what I didn?t expect was that it would be so funny. I have laughed out loud half a dozen times and not just at the rich vein of references to Homer Simpson who is repeatedly referenced.

I did nod off during the long chapter on the American pension system though there are useful parallels but generally it is highly entertaining and very thought provoking.

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25 people found this helpful

Interesting but out of date.

This was forward thinking ten years ago! Doesn’t take into account human adaptability ie a lot of these nudges have a shelf life as people either get bored with the novelty of them (flies no longer in toilets at Schiphol), learn ie which speed bump is real or become aware of the nudge, feel manipulated and ignore, resist or reject it.

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3 people found this helpful

Great Book to Listen too

Loved it! Very similar too Misbehaving but Nudge was easier to follow and understand. Recommend.

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a good listen.

This is a good listen but needs your focus as he covers lots in detail.

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This older edition focusses on American party politics

The overall premise of using choice architecture for good is worthy. However, this book uses a lot of narratives about behaviour, without a lot of evidence. This edition leans heavily on Republican-Democrat party politics of the time. The focus on Libertarianism, and the high value of freedom of choice over the public good seems awkward in the light of the current anti-vaxx and anti-mask movements. Some friends read the recent edition which has apparently been completely re-written, and is more enjoyable for it.

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Reasonably interesting

I thought that overall this book was ok. In some cases a rehash of what's gone before, but a few interesting tidbits here and there.

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Interesting read

Enjoyed the first few chapters then started to zone out. It would be useful to have the data and outcomes learned, applied into different real world situations, so that the learnings are not just merely project specific.

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