The Paradox of Choice Revised and Updated

An incisive critique of how excessive choice is detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being, now revised and expanded in a new edition for our modern online world Over twenty years ago, THE PARADOX OF CHOICE debuted and changed the way we think about choice in the world. Now, ten years since the most recent revised edition, this modern classic has been updated and expanded to address how we can best grapple with the limitless choices of our modern, hyper-online age. Whether we’re deciding what to watch on Netflix, swiping through an online dating app, applying to college, choosing a doctor, weighing our takeout order, or planning a vacation, everyday decisions—both big and small—have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented. In wealthy, Western societies, we assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But choice overload can instead paralyze decision-making, lead to unrealistically high expectations, and prompt self-blame for any failures. In this newest edition of THE PARADOX OF CHOICE, Barry Schwartz and his collaborator Nathan Cheek explain why too much of a good thing can become detrimental to our well-being. In accessible, engaging, and anecdotal prose, the authors show how the dramatic explosion in choice—from mundane daily decisions to the profound challenges of navigating one’s broader path through life—has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution. And they reveal how a culture that thrives on the availability of constantly evolving options can also foster deep dissatisfaction, anxiety, and regret. Now updated with the most cutting-edge social science research, THE PARADOX OF CHOICE emphasizes the unique challenges of living in a world of excessive choices—and offers practical advice on how to focus on the right choices day-to-day to reduce the stress and busyness of our lives and derive greater satisfaction from the choices we make.