A book like FARSIGHTED that synthesizes research from a wide range of fields inevitably draws on many other works for inspiration. So I thought I’d share some of the key texts in this thread so people can keep reading (after finishing FARSIGHTED of course) penguinrandomhouse.com/books/309724/f…
Darwin on Man: A Psychological Study of Scientific Creativity, by Howard Gruber. (Now out of print I believe.) A brilliant deep dive into Darwin’s notebooks, which ultimately led me to Darwin’s pros and cons list that opens FARSIGHTED.
The Creating Brain, by Nancy C. Andreasen. One of the discoverers of the “default network,” the network of brain regions that are activated when we are daydreaming or mulling future scenarios.
Wiser by @CassSunstein. Much to love in this book on escaping the failings of groupthink, but its major contribution to FARSIGHTED was a parenthetical line about the decision process behind the Bin Laden raid, which became a major thread in my book.
Decisive, by Dan and Chip Heath. If you like some of the practical strategies for decision-making in FARSIGHTED, this book has even more. Also led me to the amazing research of Paul Nutt.
My Life In Middlemarch, by @Rebeccamead_NYC. A beautiful exploration of the author’s lifelong connection to MIddlemarch, the novel that weaves its way through FARSIGHTED.
Culture and Imperialism, Edward Said. I learned how to write about what novels mean in a larger social context by reading — and studying under — him in my 20s in grad school. An incredible prose stylist.
Sources of Power, by @KleInsight. So many useful observations and great stories in this book. I’m particularly attached to his technique of the “premortem.”
Groupthink, by Irving Janis. The seminal study from the early 1970s of the difficulties that confront group choices. Also seems to be out of print, which is just crazy for such an influential book.
