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Think!: Why Crucial Decisions Can't Be Made in the Blink of an Eye

michael r. legault

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Outraged by the downward spiral of intellect and culture, Michael LeGault offers the flip side of Malcolm Gladwell's bestselling phenomenon, Blink , which theorized that our best decision-making is done on impulse, without factual knowledge or critical analysis. If bestselling books are advising us to not think, LeGault argues, it comes as no surprise that sharp, incisive reasoning has become a lost art in the daily life of people everywhere.

Somewhere along the line, the Age of Reason morphed into the Age of Emotion; this systemic erosion is costing time, money, jobs, and lives in the twenty-first century, leading to less fulfilment and growing dysfunction. LeGault provides a bold, controversial, and objective analysis of the causes and solutions for some of the biggest problems facing Western culture in the 21st century. From the over- load of reality TV shows and gossip magazines that have rendered curiosity of the mind and spirit obsolete to permissive parenting and low standards that have caused an academic crisis among our children, LeGault looks at all aspects of modern lives and points to how and where it all went wrong.

355 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,2006

This edition

Format
355 pages, Paperback
Published
October 24, 2006 by Threshold Editions
ISBN
9781416531555
ASIN
1416531556
Language
English

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About the author

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michael r. legault

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
Alzeidfan1
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I'm not overly excited about this book, and I'm having a really hard time getting through it.

"Blink", on the other hand, although it was also somewhat aimless like this book, at least it was enjoyable to read.

Whereas I couldn't put "Blink" down, I just can't seem to pick up this one.

It's as if the author has a personal grudge against the other book, yet at the same time, completely missed the essence of "Blink".

I'll leave you all with this thought. It is crucial to both think and blink.

You do the math...if you're able to make a rapid decision, then go ahead and do it.

If it requires more time, then it simply needs to take longer.

There you have it, and I didn't even have to read "Think" all the way through.

This shows that sometimes, our initial impressions and gut feelings can be just as important as careful thought and analysis.

We should learn to trust our instincts while also being willing to take the time to consider all the facts.

Maybe the author of this book would have benefited from doing just that.
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iTriela
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I do not wish to disparage this book as it does contain certain salient points regarding the art of making good decisions.

However, in an effort to be relevant, the author attempts to ride on the coattails of the popular NYT bestseller Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, which is a psychological assessment of the art of making skilled decisions rapidly.

LeGault dismisses Gladwell and other psychology as new age science, stating that the downfall of our country is happening because no one knows how to be analytical and make sound decisions based on observation.

The author cites our growing economic and business decline in sound judgment, as well as our meager output of educated students.

The only issue with LeGault is that few of his points are founded on anything other than anecdotes and second-hand sources.

Who LeGault is mostly angry with are the people who make decisions he disagrees with politically (mostly liberals).

If anyone were to read Gladwell's book, which LeGault criticizes, they would see that at the very least Gladwell supports his observations and theory with research (which I would argue is based on science and analysis, even if it is psychological in nature).

Just because LeGault does not agree with the outcome does not mean Gladwell is not a "critical thinker."

Any evolutionary psychologist could tell you that some of our behaviors are instinctual. It doesn't take an hour to assess emergency situations.

But LeGault is correct in noting that Americans tend to rely on emotion over reason far too much, particularly leaders making decisions of national importance.

However, LeGault is being somewhat deceptive when he claims to use critical thinking but chooses to title his last chapter: How to Save Civilization in One Easy Step. Does that sound credible to you?

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JonasGimber
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The only reason I continued to read this book was because I hoped I would walk away with at least one interesting tibit.

I kept turning the pages, anticipation building within me. I thought surely, among all these words, there would be something that would catch my attention, something that would make the reading worthwhile.

But alas, as I reached the end of the book, I was met with disappointment. There was nothing. No captivating story, no profound insights, no unique ideas.

It was as if the author had failed to deliver on the promise that the book held. I felt a sense of frustration and a bit of sadness that I had wasted my time on something that ultimately had no value.

Perhaps I had set my expectations too high, but still, I couldn't help but feel let down. I closed the book with a sigh and wondered if there would ever be a book that could truly satisfy my thirst for knowledge and entertainment.
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AirborneCthulhu
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.
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AeroSN
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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While Mr. LeGault presents interesting ideas and concepts throughout the text, many of them unfortunately get muddled down. His political diatribes seem to overshadow the other aspects of his work. Additionally, his parenting ideas and the way he tears down our educational system in America severely dilute the story. I truly try to keep an open mind and listen to all sides of a point. However, in this case, I am not entirely sure if it worked. It's as if there are too many elements vying for attention, and the overall message gets lost in the shuffle. Maybe if he had focused more on one or two main themes and developed them thoroughly, the text would have been more impactful. As it stands, it feels a bit disjointed and hard to follow at times.

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mellon29
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I had wanted to read Blink, but after this experience, I THINK that it would be a waste of time. There are some excellent points in it, no doubt.

However, based on what I have learned so far, I'm not sure if it would offer me anything truly new or valuable. Maybe it has some interesting insights into the power of our first impressions and snap judgments.

But perhaps I can gain similar knowledge from other sources that are more relevant to my current interests and needs. I don't want to spend my precious time on a book that might not have a significant impact on my thinking or understanding.

I'll probably do some more research and consider other options before making a final decision. Maybe there are other books out there that will truly capture my attention and provide me with the kind of intellectual stimulation that I'm seeking.
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Shichio
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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It seemed like he was extremely angry at Malcolm Gladwell for his book "Blink."

Perhaps he had some strong opinions and disagreements with the ideas presented in the book. Maybe the concepts put forward by Gladwell in "Blink" clashed with his own beliefs or experiences.

It could be that he felt that the book was not well-researched or that the arguments were not convincing enough. Or perhaps he was simply offended by the way Gladwell presented certain topics.

Whatever the reason, his anger towards Gladwell was palpable. It was as if he couldn't contain his frustration and had to express it.

Maybe this anger would lead to further discussions and debates about the book and its ideas. Or perhaps it would simply remain as a personal feeling that he would carry with him.

Only time would tell what the outcome of his anger towards Malcolm Gladwell for "Blink" would be.
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SoulMoura
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have rather mixed feelings regarding this book.

On one hand, the premise, which emphasizes that decisions demand critical thinking and study, is clearly and well-stated. Moreover, there is an abundance of evidence provided to back it up. However, for a person who already holds this belief, it is quite challenging to discover anything truly new within its pages.

Although the book isn't overly long (336 pages excluding the notes), I feel that it could have been significantly condensed. The same points seem to be discussed repeatedly without much advancement in the thought process.

Nevertheless, this book did manage to make me reflect on my life to a certain extent. Do I truly take full advantage of my opportunities, such as education or the ability to read, when I am surrounded by an overwhelming amount of information? This realization didn't occur until the last third of the book, but it is sufficient to warrant a somewhat positive review.

While I haven't read "Blink," reading LeGault's arguments has piqued my curiosity about what Gladwell has to say. Perhaps I will pick up "Blink" once I have made my way through the stack of books I currently have on the go.
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