What We Thought: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

Blink: the Power of Thinking Without Thinking
by Malcolm Gladwell

The author "examines how people process the information they receive through first impressions and how these impressions, which Gladwell calls rapid cognition, can be channeled into productive thinking.”        

                                    

Blink, a work of nonfiction, generated as much intense discussion as any of the novels read by book club members. Readers did not hold back on their impressions of the author’s observations and conclusions. Most said that what he wrote about was commonsense and possibly mind reading. That what he said was obvious. He spent a lot of time repeating his explanations, and then talked about exceptions. 

The discussion was not so much about whether or not the group liked the book, but rather how the outcome of the studies accurately reflected the science behind the premise of experts who concluded that instincts influence decision making. The group questioned how so much effort could be spent on mundane subjects, and then said it was interesting and useful information. 

The marketing studies about colas and jams interested readers, and everyone who commented on them had a different opinion about the author’s point of view. Again people said that marketing strategies are targeted to an audience with common sense and that the marketers don’t always understand the consumer.

Readers wanted more explanations about how to make snap judgments in a positive way and visuals to illustrate the facial recognition and body language studies. It was said that he wrote a lot about what happens but not how to make things happen. He didn’t explain his points well enough to suit some; for example, when one should or should not act on first impressions. How can we make good snap judgments based on rules and experience when lives are at stake? Another reader said that the same research done by a different person could come up with a different conclusion. It happens all the time. She mentioned recommended healthy diets as an example.

Some readers grew tired of the book early on and didn’t want to spend more time on it. Others were immediately captivated by it and others said they continued reading until they caught on to what he was writing about and then they finished the book.

The discussion followed the book club members’ analysis of the book. Some agreed, some disagreed, and some changed their minds without being aware of what was happening to the dynamics of the group. Blink was a great read and a great choice for the book club.

Have you read Blink? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments!