How to Find a Black Cat in a Dark Room
Author: Jacob Burak
Publisher: Watkins (2017)
ISBN: 978 1 78678 085 0
Pages: 221
Jacob Burak is a venture capitalist turned author and also a social activist. In his book he uses the metaphor of trying to find a black cat in a dark room to express how hard it can be for us to see clearly what would make us whole and happy, both as individuals and as a society.
The book takes the reader on a journey using the techniques of behavioural science and social awareness towards the realisation that we are not as smart or as rational as we think we are. The book will enable the reader to understand their own flawed human nature and in so doing will enable them to achieve their goals in life and business.
The book is divided into four sections with each section containing several articles, in total there are details of fifty studies or stories in the book. The structure of the book makes it an easy read as the stories that the author uses to illustrate his points are all bite size informative reads.
Readers of the book will gain many insights into themselves, they will realise that their everyday actions will shape the memories that they will want to cherish into the future. They will recognise the limitations of their own intellect and their susceptibility to bias. In gaining the knowledge of how similar we are to other human beings this realisation should assist the reader in being both a better person and a more efficient and productive manager.
This book is a recommended read for anyone interested in psychology, decision making and gaining an insight into their own minds and lives. The reader will enjoy an entertaining journey exploring human nature.