A500.4.3.RB_LarsonKurt, The Art of Choosing

A500.4.3.RB_LarsonKurt, The Art of Choosing

After reviewing the TED video by Dr. Sheena Lyengar on the art of choosing, I could not help but think of Helen Keller and some similarities between the two.

Although years apart and somewhat differing degrees of handicaps, the two never let the lack of one or more of the basic senses impede their quest for understanding and intellectual capability’s.

It was never mentioned if Dr. Lyengar was blind from birth or lost her sight later in life? She has more than made-up in her other senses for the lack of sight. Her analysis that choice is more highly valued in the United States vs. in Japan is a bit disconcerting knowing the geographic, political and infrastructure both countries consist of. For example, the U.S. is pockets of cities with vast open ranges with a republic style of government, while japan is a very tightly woven society with not an inch to spare for housing, industry and agriculture. So it would appear that as encroachment continues and available land decreases, so would the luxury of multiple choice and options. Also the U.S. is based upon individual freedom vs. Japans is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited.

American’s do like to make their own choices and are fortunate to live in a country where we can and do basically have the freedom to make our choices, provided they do not infringe on the rights of others.

Dr. Lyengar is correct in her assumptions that too many choices are as bad if not worse than too few. In my humble opinion, to many choices would tend to degrade or devalue the value of the individual choices. A classic example would be Starbucks, there are so many choices of coffee options available, that most folks who want-it-all wind up with a concoction they most likely did not wish for in the first place and are unwilling to admit to. Me, I like plain old strong black coffee… an easy and simple choice.

I do disagree with Dr. Lyengar on her analysis about never saying no to a choice, just because it is a choice, does not necessarily mean it is a good one or of a real value, intrinsic or otherwise. And sometimes choices are designed to confuse and bewilder the consumer into believing they are getting a better value than the really are… a typical marketing ploy.

To sum things up in a nutshell, the KISS theory comes to mind. It is easy, not confusing and usually has some merit to it when confronted with the possibility of the likelihood of too many choices.