More choice may make our lives worse

The Art of Choosing by Shena Iyengar

We all want more choice over less. We also will easily make the same choices as others when faced with similar situations. We feel better when we have believe we have more choice. Yet, when given choice, we often have a difficult time exercising our use of different opportunities. This is often at odds with the standard economic model and what we think should apply in the consumer society. More is not always better. We want the appearance of control. Sometimes when choices are made for us, we find the situation more workable. The Art of Choosing discuss many of these complex issues. The book moves across a number of broad topics and could have been clearer and more focused, but it a refreshingly different perspective to the standard choice dogma.

Two quotes and themes I found interesting. One, the idea that choosing is creativity. and Two, limitations on choice may be good.

"To invent is the discern, to choose" Henri Poncare To choose is to invent. Choosing in creative process., one through which we construct our environment, our lives, ourselves.

Odysseus in The Odyssey wanted to hear the Sirens

You must bind me with tight chaining ropes

so I cannot move a muscle, bound to the spot,

erect at the mast block, lashed by ropes to the mast.

And if I plead, commanding you to set me free,

then lash me faster, rope on pressing rope.

In the first case, choice makes us who we are. In the second case, we often restrict ourselves as a protection against too much choice or the wrong choices.