The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: alfsauve on July 20, 2010, 07:30:26 PM
-
Over the summer I read, Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. It was about making snap judgments and how sometimes they are better than taking along time to consider all the data. The book talked about how this happens, why, and how we should be aware of when and when not to rely on them.
But the book also got in to how our "snap judgments" affect our thinking and actions without us knowing about it.
An interesting section of the book had to do with LEOs and their shoot/no-shoot judgments. Many times done in the blink of an eye. Of particular interest was a chapter on the Amadou Diallo incident in NYC. Galdwell's point being that in confrontation we need to leave as much white space as possible in order not to let our snap judgment totally cloud our perspective.
An interesting discussion also in the book is about how our body reacts as stress levels increase. This is also is applicable to competition where we become so focused on one thing that other reasoning and functions start to shut down. It also works the other way, the more we practice, the better able we'll be to handle ourselves in a real life confrontation.
Part of the book moves slowly, but when I hit the part about LEOs, it perked up a lot.
-
Thanks for the review, Alf!
I like the author and have Blink but have not read it yet. If you get a chance, check out Outliers by him too- fascinating....
-
Thanks for the review, Alf!
I like the author and have Blink but have not read it yet. If you get a chance, check out Outliers by him too- fascinating....
Already read Outliers. Some very good observations.
I'm going to look for his other books as well now.