Felt tired too early to go to be  -so what to do ? watch an economics talk by Rory Sutherland on  the computer !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPENgRDsN_Q  if you have an hour to spare!

Actually it was surprisingly useful.
It was explaining how apart from a few entrepreneurs and business owners most of us seek to use defensive decision -making. That is if we can say an algorhythm or data shows that this is the way to choose we are happy. What we are not happy with is uncertainty!. That's why the new ways of having taxi apps will be come so popular- cos we know where the taxi is coming from. Certainly would work better for me if I am waiting for the RAC breakdown van to come. Knowing it was coming from a place  can envision rather then the usual it will be at least 45 minutes would be much more preferable.  Back to defensive decision making -  if we humans can find ways to off set someone blaming us then we will choose that.

 I also learnt some new theories well old ones wrapped up with new language and powerpoint slides !
Loved the elephant and the rider for the subconscious  and rational thinking metaphor

Jonathan Haidt introduces the Elephant and the Rider metaphor.  Dan and Chip write:

“But to us, the duo’s tension is captured best by an analogy used by University of Virginia psychologist, Jonathan Haidt in his wonderful book The Happiness Hypothesis.  Haidt says that our emotional side is the Elephant and our rational side is the rider.  Perched atop the Elephant, the Rider holds the reins and seems to be the leader.  But the Rider’s control is precarious because the Rider is so small relative to the Elephant.  Anytime the six-ton Elephant and the Rider disagree about which direction to go, the Rider is going to lose.  He’s completely overmatched.”

I also liked the concept that on website have a 3rd option from register / subscribe or  not to - called continue - one that doesn't require use to fill in loads of personal data to just scan a price to menu. 96%of the people who would have left the site initially if asked for info when they pressed continue button were perfectly happy after they had bought or got information off the site complete the personal details form -by the way it made the company that first used it $3million- go figure- Now I have to go to sleep thinking about all that .

Loved the elephant and the rider for the subconscious  and rational thinking metaphor

The Elephant and the Rider Metaphor

Jonathan Haidt introduces the Elephant and the Rider metaphor.  Dan and Chip write:

“But to us, the duo’s tension is captured best by an analogy used by University of Virginia psychologist, Jonathan Haidt in his wonderful book The Happiness Hypothesis.  Haidt says that our emotional side is the Elephant and our rational side is the rider.  Perched atop the Elephant, the Rider holds the reins and seems to be the leader.  But the Rider’s control is precarious because the Rider is so small relative to the Elephant.  Anytime the six-ton Elephant and the Rider disagree about which direction to go, the Rider is going to lose.  He’s completely overmatched.”



"Every now and then I come across a metaphor that really sticks and helps me think differently about something I see every day. 

The metaphor helps me look at these situations with a new lens, and, as a result, think, feel, and act more effectively.

I’ve heard of several ways to think about our thinking.  I’ve heard of the left-brain and right-brain.  I’ve heard of the emotional side and the rational side. 

This time, the metaphor is the Elephant and the Rider.  I especially like this metaphor because it paints a powerful picture of a little rider, either at the mercy of the elephant or directing the elephant to make great things happen.  The big take away here is that change can come easily when Elephants and Riders move together."

I also liked the concept that on website have a 3rd option from register / subscribe or  not to - called continue - one that doesn't require use to fill in loads of personal data to just scan a price to menu. 96%of the people who would have left the site initially if asked for info when they pressed continue button were perfectly happy after they had bought or got information off the site complete the personal details form -by the way it made the company that first used it $3million- go figure- Now I have to go to sleep thinking about all that .











In the book, Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard , Dan Heath and Chip Heath write about the Elephant and the Rider.