This is from The Paradox of Choice.
When people have no choice, life is almost unbearable. As the number of available choices increases, as it has in our consumer culture, the autonomy, control, and liberation this variety brings are powerful and positive. But as the number of choices keeps growing, negative aspects of having a multitude of options begin to appear. As the number of choices grows further, the negatives escalate until we become overloaded. At this point, choice no longer liberates, but debilitates. It might even be said to tyrannize.
Thoughts?
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
There are so many ways to answer this question … which one should I choose? … I think I’ll take a break.
Wade, I can relate to this quote. Choices not only debilitate individuals but groups as well. I can think of at least two areas of my life right now that are simply STUCK because I can’t seem to make a firm decision…from the various choices available to me. Are we addicted to choices? Who would choose to have no choices?Perhaps a cultural deterioration of loyalty is to be blamed on the multitude of choices? Interesting.
Wouldn’t it be most liberating to have no choices? I can just take my sack of groceries to the car without having to deliberate in my mind whether I want paper or plastic. No deliberation means no conflict, no arguing in my mind, no pondering possible outcomes. Just give me what I get and I’ll go on my merry way.
Ever read The Long Tail? It suggests that unlimited choice is debilitating unless there is some guidance or contextual means to narrow down choices. For example Amazon’s recommendations identify some of the millions of books it sell that might interest a particular visitor. It’s too many choices with not enough information that usually results in these problems.
the better things are the worse they feel.
Wade,
Curly in City Slickers was right, “One Thing”.
Paul was more right, “One thing I do.” To seek the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Jesus is best of all, simple “Seek first the kingdom.” “Love God and our neighbor.” Simple, but not easy.
Larry
Did Devo not already settle this in 1978?
Or maybe it was Rush in 1980?
Hmmm.
More seriously,
Some folks need to read more and write less. They abuse strong words like “tyranny.” Choices, no matter how numerous, don’t even come close.
This reminds me of a story my wife told me when she was an au pair. The family she worked for had a 3 year old son, and every morning he got to choose which cup he wanted to have his milk in. His mother never had a problem, and he was always happy with it; when his father was giving him the milk it was always an ordeal. The difference was that the father would hold his son up to the cabinet and tell him to choose from the 20+ cups, which he could never do. The mother would pull 2 or 3 cups down and make him pick.