Barry Schwartz: The paradox of choice

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Psychologist Barry Schwartz takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In Schwartz's estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.

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Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: January 16, 2007 at 10:23 am
Author: TEDtalksDirector

Length: 00:20:22
Rating: 4.64
Views: 79801

Tags: "Barry Schwartz" TED TEDTalks Talks "Paradox of Choice" economics psychology mental health choice

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Video Comments:
ribanafish (December 4, 2008 at 9:50 am)
A wonderful lecture! Thank you for posting!
Escape925 (December 2, 2008 at 10:51 am)
The time to end rational debate is when one is reduced to either name calling or profanity.
Finallythankyou (December 2, 2008 at 9:09 am)
Five stars. Fuck shitty choices. Fuck freedom to do anything.
k1awdttt (December 1, 2008 at 11:33 am)
now I know why religion/marriage/social conformity makes people happier.
jag305 (November 30, 2008 at 8:10 pm)
I've experienced choice paralysis, but I actually disagree with everything this guy says. You learn to rein in your expectations, shop practically (and develop favorite stores/brands/etc within all that choice) and really relish the things that do turn out to be perfect.
Crazylalalalala (December 2, 2008 at 6:14 am)
it is sudesfing to knw that i got the best product after doing tons of research about it but i did that by redusing the choises. So really i just took away all the choices due to performance. So if the had only produced that product it would be no different.

but the problem is not what jeans you buy but when you go to the doc and he askes you what medicen do you want as if you knw.
Jeff0059 (November 30, 2008 at 3:10 pm)
What I find interesting in his blue jeans anaology was that too much choice was not the real issue and not enough choice was. He couldn't choose the jeans he really wanted because either they were not available or the clerk was ignorant of the availability.
Jeff0059 (November 30, 2008 at 2:57 pm)
I agree that everyone needs a fishbowl what is right about America, choice, and freedom of choice is that I can choose my fishbowl to accomdate me. What is neglected from this one sided diatribe is personal responsabilty, mental disipline and incrementalism. To be happy with choices made regardles of whatever else may be out there and when a better situation comes along, choose to move toward it. There is no utopia, we all must strive to create our own personal utopia without harming others.
Crazylalalalala (December 2, 2008 at 6:29 am)
what does personal responsability have to do with happines?

The argumnet is that more choise makes it more difficult to reqognize the better one.

"move..."
So the second you bought something there can be a better choise right next to you. buy that one too? and the one next to it which is also better but in a different way? and that one in the back?...

balance is key! More of a good thing is not neccesarly better in fact in many cases its worst for the same reasons as the vid.
weemikey70 (November 29, 2008 at 3:53 pm)
don't ever tell me that you need anything!
the vast majority of people are grotesque little automata who 'live' their lives and expend their energy in complete reactions. and don't even think about getting me started on america and americans! wake up you fools! to simple living. small is beautiful!