How coin tosses can lead to better decisions
www.bbc.com
Our modern lives can often leave us overwhelmed with choice – so might it make sense to let an external agent help us to make difficult decisions?

Summary

  • The article discusses the concept of information overload and how it can lead to analysis paralysis.

  • The author argues that randomness can be a helpful tool for overcoming choice overload.

  • The author cites a study that found that people who were given a random decision prompt were more likely to be satisfied with their decision than those who were not given a prompt.

  • The author concludes by saying that while randomness is not a perfect solution, it can be a helpful tool for making decisions when we are feeling overwhelmed by choice.

Key Points

  • Choice overload occurs when we are presented with too many options, which can make it difficult to choose one.

  • This can lead to analysis paralysis, which is the inability to make a decision because we are too busy considering all of the options.

  • Randomness can help us to overcome choice overload by forcing us to make a decision without overthinking it.

  • This can be done by flipping a coin, rolling a die, or using another randomizing device.

  • While randomness is not a perfect solution, it can be a helpful tool for making decisions when we are feeling overwhelmed by choice.

  • @thecitywelivein@lemm.eeEnglish
    4•1 year ago

    Tip: You can say “Hey Google, flip a coin” and it’ll animate it for you. We do this often when deciding on what to eat.

    • @KindymycinEnglish
      2•1 year ago

      For nonbinary decisions, You can also tell it to roll a die of any size, like a d10, d20, or a fair dice that doesn’t mean exist like a D7. You can also just have it pick a number between X and Y, but thats not as fun haha.