Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain

This book was OK. Nothing new or really interesting. But I really like Shankar so I bought it.

The premise of this book is that most people lie, are lied to, or lie to themselves, often when they are not aware of this, and are happier, healthier, and better contributors to society as a result. Using one major example and many smaller ones the authors explain their thinking leading to this conclusion. However, their apparent inherent biases on many topics—some with little jabs and some with larger slashes—water down their arguments. These culminate in one grand hypothesis at the end, no doubt a teaser for an upcoming new book or podcast appearance, which certainly will inflame some readers.On structure…This is a very short book, and probably would have been better as an essay or as a long-form podcast. The book pacing is an issue, as with only about 200 pages, the first 50 or so fly by in an engaging style, then plods, often losing its way with side topics, for 100+ pages, to wrap with the grand hypothesis and 20 pages of tying up sources. The book has good sentence structure and reads well, and I only found one unintentionally misspelled word, although as it was “self-decieving” that speaks volumes given the subject matter.Regarding sources, as authors of prior evidence-based books and media, you would think the myriad of references would be carefully identified to facts with notes in the text. Yet with just a list of detailed references at the end, there is no way to discern the authors’ opinions and original thoughts from the source material.To sum up, I’d recommend this as a fast and entertaining read, borrowing it from a library rather than purchasing it. And reconsider if you planned to reference this as a primary source in your own evidence-based writing, or skip it completely if your primary "news" sources are from a very narrow perspective.

Theodor Reik, a psychoanalyst and one of Freud’s earliest students said, “Even the wisest men make fools of themselves about women, and even the most foolish women are wise about men.” He was simply observing the “Power & Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain.”I have long considered myself a card-carrying member in good standing of the school of rational thought. But after reading Useful Delusions by Shankar Vedantam and Bill Mesler, I have a better appreciation of the limitations of rational thinking.The human brain is very complex, often tricking us into believing and acting in ways that are totally irrational. As it turns out, some of our irrational thoughts and actions actually help us survive.The book is divided into three parts. Part one takes a deep dive into self-deception in everyday life. Part two is concerned with our need for meaning and attachment and Part three explores the influence of tribes on the ways we think and act.The book is a delightful and insightful read. Mr. Vedantam uses countless stories to illustrate the irrational behavior we all engage in. These stories are told in an interesting, entertaining and enlightening manner. They will captivate you and educate at the same time.Not all self-deception is helpful. But we engage in self-deception a lot more than we think and there is generally some beneficial purpose behind much of our self-deception.You will come away with a much better understanding of human behavior.I found the discussion of placebos and tribal behavior to be the most interesting and helpful in better understanding what drives so much human behavior that baffles rational thinkers.A delightful and insightful study into what drives human self-deception.

Useful Delusions covers a lot of social scientific territory that I think the reader will enjoy. I did. For example, the dance of complicity and deception works best when neither party acknowledges it. Self-deceptions have led to some of the crowning glories of civilization. Nation-states and languages are based on myths and social agreements while languages are dialects that have armies. The authors look at Terror Management Theory and something called mortality salience based on the insights of Otto Rank, Ernest Becker, and Sheldon Solomon to help explain why we need to deceive ourselves with useful delusions to make life and death feel more meaningful and tolerable. I appreciated the insights from people who were conned by loving letters from the Church of Love women who did not exist but were written by the founder and his assistants. Decades later some yet credit the letters for helping them through loneliness, depression, and even suicide. Others were rightfully angry for falling into that hole while chasing a loving rabbit.

Turn's out it's easy to deceive yourself as you define what matters to you. Do you stand for fact? Is it faith that defines you? Isn't it obvious that that other fella is being deceived? You'll have to decide what subjective filter of reality you want to apply... choose carefully because it may affect your lifespan! Seldom does a book fundamentally change the way I look at the world. Shankar has done just this, and I think it's going to make me a kinder person along the way because it's pretty humbling. Dovetails nicely with Vedantum's podcast, not just repackaging the ideas but reinforcing them from a different media perspective. Excellent work!