by Daniel Akst
First published 2014
Modern life offers unprecedented freedom, yet roughly half of all deaths stem from choices we make against our own interests. People overeat, smoke, drink excessively, avoid exercise, and engage in other self-defeating behaviors despite knowing better. Daniel Akst tackles this paradox head-on, examining why so many individuals choose a path toward gradual self-destruction. His investigation spans overconsumption, financial recklessness, chronic delay, explosive anger, sexual excess, and the everyday failings that plague people living in prosperous, technologically advanced societies. Akst combines irreverent wit with serious analysis to map the complex terrain of human desire. Rather than simply cataloging our weaknesses, he constructs a practical framework for redirecting our impulses toward goals that truly serve our long-term interests. The book offers readers concrete strategies for navigating the gap between what we want in the moment and what we actually want for our lives.
Genres: psychology, self-help, contemporary, non-fiction
Vibes: informative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: research-based, self-reflection
320 pages · Paperback · Scribe UK