Book description
In this fascinating book, New Yorker business columnist James Surowiecki explores a deceptively simple idea: Large groups of people are smarter than an elite few, no matter how brilliantâbetter at solving problems, fostering innovation, coming to wise decisions, even predicting the future.
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With boundless erudition and in delightfully clearâŚ
Why read it?
2 authors picked The Wisdom of Crowds as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
I love this book because it suggests that while we may not know the best answer as individuals there is âwisdomâ in what large numbers of people think. That large numbers of people make better decisions than smaller numbers.
I donât always agree with this, but I do think for many things we shouldnât spend a lot of time working on them without putting them into the world and seeing how others respond.
From Alan's list on The best books to unlock your curiosity and awesomeness.
When I started my career in urban design, I was finding great success in bringing diverse groups around the table to develop ideas and find breakthrough solutions. James Surowiekiâs book helped me to understand why this worked, offering compelling examples. And why, under the right circumstances, diverse groupsâacross different backgrounds, skills, and experiencesâcan often make better decisions than individual experts.
His insights had huge implications for me in dealing with cities, where the collective input of stakeholders can shape better urban outcomes. It reinforced my confidence in inclusive urban planning, participatory governance, and bottom-up approaches as a way to achieveâŚ
From Ken's list on The best books that have helped me understand cities.
If you love The Wisdom of Crowds...
December on 5C4
Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa storiesâall reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!
On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argueâŚ
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