Think (book)
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster |
Think!: Why Crucial Decisions Can't Be Made in the Blink of an Eye is a nonfiction work authored by journalist and editor Michael R. LeGault, released in January 2006 through Threshold Editions, a conservative division of Simon & Schuster overseen by Mary Matalin.
This book offers a critique of Malcolm Gladwell's 2005 bestseller Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, contending that impulsive judgments have led to major failures such as the inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina. LeGault argues that prioritizing emotion and gut reactions over logic and evidence endangers the intellectual foundations and social fabric of Western societies.
Summary
Think examines the erosion of analytical reasoning within the United States, pointing to shortcomings in sectors including government, education, media, and business. LeGault presents numerous examples relevant to the corporate world:
- Decision-making errors at General Motors that contributed to the downturn of the American automobile sector.
- The politically sensitive backlash following Lawrence Summers' comments regarding gender disparities.
- The limited success of affirmative action policies in addressing educational performance gaps.
- The rise of sensationalist reporting alongside a decline in newspaper circulation.
- Marketing strategies emphasizing stress alleviation instead of delivering real value.
- The Environmental Protection Agency's prohibition of DDT after the publication of Silent Spring.
- The emergence of relativistic thinking explored by Allan Bloom in Closing of the American Mind.
LeGault connects these phenomena to larger cultural movements or influential factions. For instance, he critiques the excessive diagnosis and medication of boys for ADD/ADHD, interpreting it as driven more by feminist influences than genuine medical need.
In closing, the author urges a return to elevated standards—especially within parenting and education—to revive logical decision-making and strengthen critical thinking skills.
Reception
While the book received commendations for its incisive critique of Gladwell’s perspective, some reviewers criticized LeGault for occasionally assigning blame to particular groups, resulting in accusations that his work bordered on endorsing conspiracy theories.