Memorial Hall Library

Nonsense, the power of not knowing, Jamie Holmes

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages [237]-312) and index

index present

non fiction

Nonsense

bibliography

904012185

Jamie Holmes

the power of not knowing

"An illuminating look at the surprising upside of ambiguity--and how, properly harnessed, it can inspire learning, creativity, even empathy Life today feels more overwhelming and chaotic than ever. We face constant political and economic upheaval, and we're bombarded with information, much of it contradictory. Managing uncertainty--in our jobs, our relationships, and our everyday lives--is fast becoming an essential skill. What should we do when we have no idea what to do? In Nonsense, Jamie Holmes shows how we react to ambiguous situations and how we can do it better. Being confused is unpleasant, so we tend to shutter our minds as we grasp for meaning and stability, especially in stressful circumstances. We're hard-wired to resolve contradictions quickly and extinguish anomalies. But in doing so, we lose a vital opportunity to learn something new, solve a hard problem, or see the world from another perspective. Over the last few years, new insights from social psychology and cognitive science have deepened our understanding of the role of ambiguity in our lives and Holmes brings this research together for the first time, showing how we can use uncertainty to our advantage. Whether we're dealing with an unclear medical diagnosis or launching a risky new product, Nonsense promises to transform the way we conduct business, educate our children, and make decisions. In an increasingly unpredictable, complex world, it turns out that what matters most isn't IQ, willpower, or confidence in what we know. It's how we deal with what we don't understand"--, Provided by publisher

Prologue -- Part One: Making Sense -- 1. The Resolving Mind: How Sense Making Works -- 2. The Hidden A's: The Secrets of Sense Making -- Part Two: Handling Ambiguity -- 3. Shocks and Tremors: The Problem with Urgency -- 4. Fifty Days in Texas: Why Intentions are Misread -- 5. Overtested USA: When to Resist Momentum -- 6. The Hemline Hassle: A Strategy of Ignorance -- Part Three: Embracing Uncertainty -- 7. Building a Better Ducati: The Uses of Uncertainty -- 8. The Puzzle Man: Where to Find Hidden Answers -- 9. The Art of Contradiction: What Diversity Offers -- Epilogue -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Index