Second Guessing Choices
The author here, Barry Schwartz, has a book out: "The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less." The central premise here is sometimes, less is more. Schwartz puts out a few thoughts on how the introduction of additional choices often seems to lead to paralysis of action.
The reason this captures my interest is that it stands in a bit of contrast to Andrei Cherny's book: "The Next Deal" where the idea is put forth that Democrats in particular need to embrace additional choices since we've incorporated a lot of individual decisionmaking into our own lives. Cherny discusses the increasing trends of individuals to be their own stockbrokers and a whole host of other areas that have evolved towards greater freedom of choice since the New Deal.
After reading the Schwartz peice, I'm still a bit unconvinced of his larger argument, although he backs up the thesis with some provably points: greater choices in 401(k) options leading to fewer people opting into a 401(k) at all, for instance. My concern, which I save for resolution till perhaps reading his book, is that adaptation to choice would seem like an evolutionary process. In other words ... maybe fewer people are picking a 401(k) in that sample given now ... but do they find ways to filter their choices over time that later shows an increase in opt-ins?
The reason I'm sceptical is because of an old debate I once had with a co-worker about the internet. The guy wasn't really that old or anything, so that wasn't an excuse. But he was viscerally against having access to it for concern that having access to "everything" would lead to a neverending quest to read and see "everything." I thought the idea lunacy and told him as much. Obviously, people make it through a library just fine on most occassions. You have some idea what you're looking for, and you seek it out.
The idea was backed up by, of all people, Bill Gates, in one of his books ("The Road From Here", if I'm not mistaken). His analogy was the shopping mall. How would such a person with that fear make it through a mall if they stopped into every store and looked at every product? They likely wouldn't. But that's obviously not how we shop.
Where the issue gets a bit fuzzy, I'll grant, is that there are also vast areas that we might not have the expertise to feel confident in choosing between options. Again ... 401(k)s might be a perfect example. But I'm still left with the thought that over time, we create filters for that which we are presented options for.
Considering the likely point of Schwartz having the peice printed in the NYTimes was to drive his book sales. Job well done, as my curiosity is now piqued.
Now if I can just find my way through that maze of a book store. Perhaps I'll write the author to inform him that upon entering the store and seeing my options, I decided to head back home emptyhanded. Any bets on whether or not he'll see the irony?