The paradox of choice | Barry Schwartz | TED
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN recommends it as the standard talk on how too many options lead to paralysis and second-guessing.
What it is
Psychologist Barry Schwartz argues in this TED talk that abundant choice makes people more paralyzed and dissatisfied rather than freer and happier.
Recommended by 4 HN commenters across 4 different months, 2010 to 2022.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec jodrellblank · 2022-07 · on “Ask HN: I’m 41 and still unmarried – what should I do?”
> " What can be more important than life partner? " My favourite TED talk pairing is Dan Gilbert's Surprising Science of Happiness[1], where he offers evidence upon evidence that we humans grow to like what we are stuck with and can't change. A year after winning the lottery and a year after losing the use of their legs, lottery winners and paraplegics report being equally happy with their lives, one of his studies shows, for example. And Barry Schwartz's Paradox of Choice talk[2] where he argues that the more choice we have, the less happy we will be after we made the choice, full of doubt whether we could or should have chosen better, questioning if we should choose again, and seeing any f
Recommends geekfactor · 2010-11 · on “Letting your mind wander is a major cause of unhappiness”
This article reminds me of a TED talk I liked by Barry Schwartz on "The Paradox of Choice." [this video] The speaker argues that that freedom and choice are held as unassailable virtues by Western cultures, but in fact research shows that too much choice leads to unhappiness. If you think of mind wandering as perhaps a product of too much choice for the mind, the two ideas are complementary.
Recommends seoguru · 2016-08 · on “Minds Turned to Ash: Burnout is more than working too hard”
Have you heard of Barry Schwartz: The paradox of choice? He affirms what you are saying: [this video] He has other interesting theses as well. google him.
Recommends chiefofgxbxl · 2017-07 · on “Is Productivity Growth Becoming Irrelevant?”
The first bullet point you wrote about the 50 kinds of toothpaste becoming debilitating is a good example of the "Paradox of Choice". A good TED talk is given [0], or a shorter animated one: [1]. Essentially, too many options leads to paralysis and second-guessing yourself. Good videos if you have the time to watch them. [0] [this video] [1] [LINK]
Cites latch · 2011-04 · on “Ask HN: Who is Hiring? (April 2011)”
Just want to say that this looks pretty cool. Reminds me of Barry Schwartz' "The Paradox of Choice" ( [this video] )