Wait: The Art and Science of Delay
by Frank Partnoy
Buy on AmazonWhat do these scenarios have in common: a professional tennis player returning a serve, a woman evaluating a first date across the table, a naval officer assessing a threat to his ship, and a comedian about to reveal a punch line? In this counterintuitive and insightful work, author Frank Partnoy weaves together findings from hundreds of scientific studies and interviews with wide-ranging experts to craft a picture of effective decision-making that runs counter to our brutally fast-paced world. Even as technology exerts new pressures to speed up our lives, it turns out that the choices we make -- unconsciously and consciously, in time frames varying from milliseconds to years -- benefit profoundly from delay.…
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"This exploration of the psychology and utility of waiting aligns with Maria Popova's enduring interest in the wisdom of slowness and deliberate contemplation. It fits her work on how embracing pauses can foster creativity and deeper understanding."
Best Psychology & Philosophy Books of 2012 · themarginalian.org