An insight from "blink"

I have been trying to finish this book ever since i came back but because this book requires a fair bit of thinking as I read, i havent been able to concentrate much on the book these days. I feel that i need to read it at home, when i have uninterupted attention and also, when im not so tired.

Just to share this little insight from the book on how many market research measuring consumer behaviour on products that are very new and different actually fail. And this failure is due to the fact that consumers tend to be shock upon being exposed to something very different, it doesnt mean that they hate the new TV programs or the chair with that very unusual design when result of market research showed unfavorable numbers for these products. But the truth is, consumers are just shock and need time to adjust to something they have never seen or experienced. That doesnt mean that the idea or product is not going to work.

I believe that this is applicable to our everyday life too. Being resistent to change is natural and it is not natural for someone who is without the necessary expertise and knowledge to immediately be receptive to new ideas, or at least, to judge and say whether something is going to work or not.

The book also cited examples on how many hard core fans of coke insist that they can tell the difference between pepsi and coke. Most of them will get it right if they were given just 2 test cups, one pepsi and one coke to differentiate. However, in a triangle test, when they were told that they have to identify which is the cola that is in 2 out of the 3 cups, 90% of the people got it wrong. They think that they are the expert in the area but they are not really equipped with the skill. I suppose this is why we are all constantly learning and trying to become better in a certain field of study or interest. This is because without the necessary knowledge and expertise, inaccurate perceptions will hinder decision making related to that field of topic.

We always rely on our own set of thinking, subconscious thinking to get make snap decisions and sometimes to just "know" about certain things. However, such subconsious thinking may not be right. They are useful at times, yet they are also the very set of thinking tools that fail us.


I will try to finish this book ASAP. Cos there are many books waiting on the shelf...

I have been going thru multiple stages of uncertainty ever since i came back from BKK. The emotional roller coaster and the need to give up something i have really wanted to do is something i dun think many people care, much less understand. It doesnt matter. This is my life anyway. Good or bad, at least i know i tried.

A very important lesson from bkk: No matter what happens, i know that i can still lead my life happily. Despite all obstacles, pressures, if i wanna be happy, nothing can stop me. And IT IS possible to stay happy. Cos i did it over there.

When you really love someone or something, do you hold or let go?