• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

The One Percent Almanack

Wit and Wisdom on Investing, Business, and Life

  • Home
  • Members
  • Log In
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Bookworm: You Are Not So Smart

August 17, 2019

It was ten years back when I was first introduced to the field of human behaviour and psychological biases. Having read a couple of dozen books on this topic, it has now become hard to find a volume with information which is not familiar to me. However, what continues to amaze (and entertain) me are the examples and case studies of people (including my own adventures often pointed out by others) that confirm the statement — We are not rational beings. We are rationalizing beings.

This aspect of human irrationality — that it can’t be overcome and keeps us mired in a behaviour similar to a kid with her hand stuck in the cookie jar because she refuses to open the fist — is what makes this subject so much fun. Once you’ve learnt enough about the broad spectrum of cognitive errors, it affords you a lifetime of entertainment content, provided you pause and watch your own actions and the way people around you make decisions.

Want to Read More? This content is exclusive for members of Value Investing Almanack. Login to read if you are a member. Else, click here to subscribe.

Benefits to VIA Members

 

  • Spotlight: Big ideas from Value Investing and why applying them in your investment decision making will be a great deal
  • InvestorInsights: Interviews with experienced value investors, learners, and deep thinkers
  • StockTalk: Thorough analysis of business models of companies (without any recommendations)
  • Behaviouronomics: Deep analysis of human behaviour and how it impacts investment decision making
  • BookWorm: Reviews of the best books on Value Investing and related subjects
  • Free Course – Financial Statement Analysis for Smart People (otherwise priced at Rs 5,900)
  • Archives: Instant access to our huge archive from the past three years

Become a VIA Member. Click to Subscribe

Filed Under: Book Worm

Handcrafted with in India