David McRaney is an author, journalist, lecturer, and the creator of the blog You Are Not So Smart, which became an internationally bestselling book, later followed by You Are Now Less Dumb. David currently hosts the popular You Are Not So Smart podcast and speaks internationally about irrational thinking and delusion. Before finding internet fame, David graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi and cut his teeth covering Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast and in the Pine Belt region of the Deep South. He has been a beat reporter, editor, photographer, voice-over artist, television host, digital content manager, and everything in between.
“A combination of compelling overview and practical strategy . . .
Convincing advice regarding a timely issue.”
Kirkus Reviews
“McRaney makes a convincing case . . . and backs it up with what
science has to say about ‘replac[ing] old ignorance with new
wisdom.’ The result is an eye-opening survey filled with
heart.”
Publishers Weekly
“How Minds Change explores why some world views seem so stubbornly
immune to reason . . . Hence McRaney’s ‘softly softly’ approach,
inspired by conversational techniques such as ‘street epistemology’
and ‘deep canvassing,’ which sometimes trigger remarkable
conversations . . . a world champion debater cannot change your
mind; only you can do that.”
Financial Times
“Indeed, [McRaney’s] writing is a tonic for those who might scratch
their head at how others could be so nonsensical as to distrust
vaccines, believe the Earth is flat or subscribe to any other
number of conspiracy theories. It helps shift perceptions from the
unhelpful attitude of ‘this person is stupid and beyond help’ to
‘this person has a different frame of belief, and they can be
encouraged to think more deeply about the issue.’’
The New Scientist
“An optimistic, illuminating and even inspiring read . . . a
rousing call to action . . . But McRaney is also inspiring in his
quieter revelations.”
The Guardian
"A riveting read on the art and science of persuasion. David
McRaney's brilliant book will force you to rethink your views about
how to motivate other people to rethink theirs. In a time when too
many minds seem closed, this is a masterful analysis of what it
takes to open them."
Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and
host of the podcast WorkLife
"If you join David McRaney on this journey — a spirited tour that
ranges from activists to scientists to cultists — you’ll arrive in
an unexpected place. He shows us how generous conversations can
replace zero-sum debates and how genuine empathy can close deep
divisions. How Minds Change is the ideal book for our perilous
moment.”
Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power
of Regret, To Sell is Human, and Drive
“This book is a fascinating journey through the neuroscience and
psychology of how we form and update our opinions. How Minds Change
is the book our society desperately needs right now. David McRaney
shows us how to connect, consider, and see the potential for change
in others and ourselves.”
Scott Barry Kaufman, host of The Psychology Podcast
"Filled with the kinds of captivating real-life stories that you
can't wait to tell your friends and the latest scientific insights
from psychology and beyond, McRaney's book provides a surprising
glimpse into why changing human minds is so damn hard... but also
the good news that it can in fact be possible with the right
strategies."
Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology at Yale University and host
of The Happiness Lab podcast
“When I first talked to David McRaney about How Minds Change, I
found myself taking mad notes on everything he was explaining to
me! Thank goodness he wrote the book so I can relax and just soak
it all in!”
Simon Sinek, Optimist and New York Times bestselling author of
Start with Why and The Infinite Game
"McRaney's topic in How Minds Change couldn't be more important,
and he's the perfect guide to it: warm, witty, and powered by an
infectious curiosity."
Julia Galef, author of The Scout Mindset
"There is perhaps no greater nut to crack than how we can more
easily change minds, including our own, in the face of compelling
evidence. David McRaney has turned his attention to this important
problem in recent years and shares the surprising nature of why
minds do and do not change. In these contentious times, it's
heartening to have David's book on hand -- to teach us about
burgeoning research into effectively changing minds and how it
might be more achievable in certain contexts than we might
think."
Maya Shankar, creator and host of A Slight Change of Plans
"That very rare thing - an astonishingly interesting book on a
vitally important topic."
Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman at Ogilvy UK and author of
Alchemy: The Surprising Power Of Ideas That Don't Make Sense
"This is a must-read manual for anyone interested in the seemingly
impossible task of changing people’s minds. Discover the science
behind how we form beliefs, attitudes, and values, and the
surprisingly simple way our views can shift."
Logan Ury, author of How To Not Die Alone
"In an era where people feel separated by polarization and
tribalism, David goes beyond simple academic concepts and provides
concrete strategies to create meaningful conversations that can
shift perspectives and connect people."
Jon Levy, behavioral scientist and New York Times bestselling
author of You're Invited
"If you didn't like Dave McRaney's writing before, not only will
this book change your mind, it'll explain why that happens."
Dean Burnett, neuroscientist and bestselling author of The Idiot
Brain
"David McRaney changed my mind about changing minds. Now I think it
is possible. All is not lost. We can bridge these enormous gaps in
our culture and repair our epistemic foundations – but it will take
a lot of hard work, as well as the ideas found in this hugely
important and enlightening book. If you want to be a better thinker
and citizen and aren’t ready to give up on the world, this book is
a must-read."
AJ Jacobs, journalist and author the New York Times bestseller The
Year of Living Biblically
"David McRaney, more than just about anybody, has devoted his life
to exploring the surprising tricks that our minds play on us. He is
a master of using fascinating stories to teach us important
principles of psychology. While David's previous work focused on
how reasoning and decision-making so often go wrong and how we
manage to convince ourselves we're right, now he is tackling the
other side of the coin: how it is that we sometimes dramatically
change our minds."
Spencer Greenberg, founder and CEO of Spark Wave
"David McRaney is one of our finest science communicators, and How
Minds Change is his greatest achievement yet. Brilliantly smart,
continually entertaining and utterly timely, it will change the way
you see the world - and help you change others."
Will Storr, journalist and author of The Status Game
"A timely, informative, and encouraging case for why the craziness
paralyzing our society may not be permanent, and a refreshingly
actionable proposal for changing ourselves, among others."
Douglas Rushkoff, author of Present Shock and Team Human
"As a social psychologist who studies interpersonal conflict, I've
given up on my ability to change the minds of some of my closest
family members and friends. I've tried all of the tricks to try to
get my different-thinking close others to abandon their (false)
beliefs. To keep our relationships in tact we talk about the
weather. David McRaney’s book has changed this steadfast pessimist
not into an optimist but a realist. His perspective is fresh and
actionable. He recommends honesty when trickery feels more
appealing. And it works. Read this book cover to cover--it will
change how you feel about tackling one of the most difficult
relationship challenges: Changing the minds of the people we care
about, without damaging the relationship itself."
Tessa West, social psychologist and author of Jerks at Work
"Whether you’ve watched a loved one fall down a rabbit hole of
misinformation or need to persuade your colleagues at work, this is
the book for you. David McRaney weaves together a blend of gripping
stories and cutting-edge research on the science of changing minds.
In an age of fake news, conspiracy theories, and propaganda, he
gives you the tools to get through to others and help them come to
their damn senses."
Jay Van Bavel, psychologist and author of The Power of Us
"I loved How Minds Change—a book that's crammed with amazing
stories and eye-opening reporting. McRaney is a gifted science
writer."
Clive Thompson, author of Coders: The Making of A New Tribe and the
Remaking of the World
Ask a Question About this Product More... |