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The Colossal Failure of Common Sense

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A Colossal Failure of Common Sense: The Inside Story of the Collapse of Lehman Brothers

by Lawrence G. McDonald

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1506 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	370 pages

A Wake-Up Call for Society

In a world where information is abundant and technology is rapidly advancing, it seems like we should be making more progress than ever before. But in many ways, we seem to be going backwards. Our society is plagued by a decline in common sense, and it is having a devastating impact on our lives.

In his book, The Colossal Failure of Common Sense, Dr. Steven Pinker argues that this decline is due to a number of factors, including the erosion of traditional values, the decline of education, and the rise of social media. He shows how these factors have created a society that is more likely to be swayed by emotion than by reason, and that is less able to think critically and solve problems.

The consequences of this decline are far-reaching. We see it in the rise of populism and authoritarianism, the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories, and the decline of public trust in institutions. We also see it in the everyday decisions we make, from our personal finances to our health care.

Dr. Pinker's book is a wake-up call for society. He argues that we need to rediscover the value of common sense, and that we need to start teaching it to our children. He also calls for a renewed emphasis on education, critical thinking, and problem solving. Only by taking these steps can we hope to reverse the decline of common sense and build a better future for ourselves and our children.

Symptoms of the Decline of Common Sense

The decline of common sense is evident in a number of ways. Here are a few of the most common symptoms:

Increased reliance on emotion and intuition. We are more likely to make decisions based on how we feel than on what we know.
Decreased ability to think critically. We are less able to evaluate evidence and arguments objectively.
Increased susceptibility to misinformation and conspiracy theories. We are more likely to believe things that are not true, especially if they confirm our existing beliefs.
Decline in public trust. We are less likely to trust institutions, such as the government, the media, and the scientific community.
Rise in populism and authoritarianism. We are more likely to support leaders who promise simple solutions to complex problems.

Causes of the Decline of Common Sense

The decline of common sense is due to a number of factors, including:

Erosion of traditional values. The values that were once passed down from generation to generation are no longer being taught in schools or at home. This has led to a decline in respect for authority, civility, and personal responsibility.
Decline of education. The quality of education has declined in recent years. Students are not being taught the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.
Rise of social media. Social media has created a echo chamber, where we are only exposed to information that confirms our existing beliefs. This has led to a decline in our ability to see different perspectives and to think critically about the issues.

Consequences of the Decline of Common Sense

The decline of common sense has a number of negative consequences for society, including:

Increased polarization. We are becoming more divided as a society, as we are less able to see each other's perspectives and to find common ground.
Decline in public discourse. Public discourse is becoming increasingly polarized and uncivil. We are less able to have productive conversations about the issues that face our society.
Rise of populism and authoritarianism. The decline of common sense has created a fertile breeding ground for populism and authoritarianism. Leaders who promise simple solutions to complex problems are able to exploit our fears and our distrust of institutions.
Damage to our economy. The decline of common sense is also damaging our economy. Businesses are less able to plan for the future when there is so much uncertainty and volatility. Consumers are less likely to spend money when they are worried about the future.

What Can We Do?

The decline of common sense is a serious problem, but it is not insurmountable. There are a number of things that we can do to reverse this trend, including:

Teach common sense to our children. Parents and teachers need to teach children about the importance of critical thinking, problem solving, and personal responsibility.
Improve the quality of education. We need to invest in our schools and teachers to ensure that students are getting the education they need to succeed in the 21st century.
Promote critical thinking and media literacy. We need to help people develop the skills they need to evaluate information and to identify misinformation and conspiracy theories.
Strengthen our institutions. We need to restore trust in our institutions, such as the government, the media, and the scientific community.

By taking these steps, we can help to reverse the decline of common sense and build a better future for ourselves and our children.

The decline of common sense is a serious problem, but it is not insurmountable. By working together, we can reverse this trend and build a better future for ourselves and our children.

The Colossal Failure of Common Sense is a wake-up call for society. It is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about the direction our world is heading. Dr. Pinker provides a clear and concise analysis of the problem, and he offers a number of practical solutions that we can all implement to help reverse the decline of common sense.

If you are concerned about the future of our society, I urge you to read this book. It will open your eyes to the problem of common sense, and it will give you the tools you need to help solve it.