7 March 2011: Predictably Irrational
Last week, I have just finished reading ‘Predictably Irrational’ by Dan Ariely. It’s one of the book that interest me. It kept me thinking of how people rationalize their thinking process. This week, I’d like to share my thoughts and comments based on the first chapter, ‘The Truth of Relativity’. It is a simple premise that we never realize it. It will be clearer once the examples are described in the book.
8 March 2011: Don’t Get Cranky When You Buy Slightly Overpriced Product
We always want to ensure that when we buy something using our money cheaply. When buy the products, we always try to compare between one shop and the other shop. Sometimes, we buy item on impulsive on a particular store. We think that it is cheaper. However, the next when we look at the advertisement from other shop, we realize that same item costs slightly less, e.g. by a few cents/dollars. Of course you can go back to return it to the store and ask for the refund provided the store does have the policy for refund or can pay the same price. Before you do that, you must remember whether the cost of returning back is a worthwhile. It may cost you more than what you will get. Secondly, you may never realize how much time & money will be spent to get into the other store. Why do you need to be cranky if you just pay slightly more ? Why makes our lives miserable when we just lose a penny?
9 March 2011: iPhone4 & iPad2
As you are aware, iPad2 will be released soon. The newspaper always mentioned that market for tablet is very competitive and it may get saturated in the next five years. Hence, the sooner the new models comes up, it would be difficult for the competitor to catch up. I would say, another reason Apple launched iPad2 is that it allows people to make easy comparison when they want the tablet. If there is no iPad models available for comparison, then people will compare it with other products. Once people look into other product, they may be influenced by other factors. At the end, they may not buy iPad. Similarly, you will be wondering why iPhone 3GS are still available in the market. It is there so that people can rationalize themselves to make a good decision. At least they are happy that they decided correctly.
10 March 2011: Going Out with Friends
Once you read the example given by Dan Ariely about going out with friends, you may realize why your best friend always get a better attention from other people than you. If this happens, my advice is to find another friends that have personality traits like you but slightly less. Thus if three of you are going out together, at least you won’t feel bad at all. If your other friend realizes it too, then he may bring another friend with similar reasoning. As the crowd is getting bigger, I believe the group will dissolves or only one will get the full attention and the rest none.
11 /3 / 11: Secret of happiness
Just to reiterate Dan’s point about relativity. To be happy, we shouldn’t compare our lives with others, whether they have this or that. We should just look at ourselves. As long as our basic necessities are covered, we should think of how to help others especially the poor and helpless one. You will feel much better when you can share things with others, either your money or time. By comparing with others, we will feel that we are so poor because there is always a sky above the sky. Look down and see how fortunate you are. Be happy!
