Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models • Hacker News Board

Re: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models

#51

Post by stareatgoats » Tue, Jun 18, 2019, 1:15 PM UTC

yegg wrote: post #2

A few years ago I published a large list of mental models I find repeatedly useful ( https://medium.com/@yegg/mental-models-i-find-repeatedly-use... ), discussed at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12040707 . I've spent my spare time since (day job is running DuckDuckGo) with my co-author (statistician, researcher, and wife!) turning that list into this book, which weaves the 300+ mental models into nine narrativ…

Looks great! and something I'm more or less obsessed with myself (abstractions of any kind, really). Will definitely buy one!

Somewhat OT, but I'm confused by the pricing on Amazon: Hardcover is $19.60 (20 used from 22.65, and 34 new from $14.00), paperback $28.92 (2 used from $34.32), Kindle 23.27, and more.

Maybe I'm not used to Amazon, but this seems weird. How come so many used copies of a new book for example. And the prices are all over the place. Has something gone awry?

Re: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models

#52

Post by mikorym » Tue, Jun 18, 2019, 1:32 PM UTC

Don't you think that by trading off complexity of the models you use general usefulness? For example, the 80-20 principle is not about the numbers 80 and 20, but it is just an x-y principle where 80 and 20 are areas of a (particular) curve. If you teach it as "the 80-20 principle" then maybe at best it's a mnemonic for some people in productivity.

I'm sorry, but I'm not a fan of productivity tools based on improperly formulated "rules" or "hints".

HNs anti-procrastinator is more precise and useful to me.

Re: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models

#53

Post by andrenth » Tue, Jun 18, 2019, 1:37 PM UTC

BadassFractal wrote: post #50

More of a meta comment than a criticism: there's been a real explosion in interest in mental models this last decade. Mental models have become top of mind in the SV community (and its associated thought leaders), from Farnham Street, Naval, Tim Ferriss, Patrick Collison and many others regularly talking about them and their creators such as Buffet / Munger / Kahneman etc. What's happening here? Is there some kind of…

I share the same concerns. I also love the subject and will buy the book, but I've come to notice that a lot of what's written about mental models is shallow, generic and/or not really actionable.

Re: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models

#54

Post by fheld » Tue, Jun 18, 2019, 1:39 PM UTC

mikorym wrote: post #52

Don't you think that by trading off complexity of the models you use general usefulness? For example, the 80-20 principle is not about the numbers 80 and 20, but it is just an x-y principle where 80 and 20 are areas of a (particular) curve. If you teach it as "the 80-20 principle" then maybe at best it's a mnemonic for some people in productivity. I'm sorry, but I'm not a fan of productivity tools based on improperly…

I have never heard of "HNs anti-procrastinator" - can you point me somewhere?

Re: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models

#55

Post by yegg » Tue, Jun 18, 2019, 1:43 PM UTC

agbell wrote: post #45

yegg wrote: post #2

A few years ago I published a large list of mental models I find repeatedly useful ( https://medium.com/@yegg/mental-models-i-find-repeatedly-use... ), discussed at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12040707 . I've spent my spare time since (day job is running DuckDuckGo) with my co-author (statistician, researcher, and wife!) turning that list into this book, which weaves the 300+ mental models into nine narrativ…

I liked traction, with its focus on try all these things, one may get you to the next level, then try some others. Does this book take the same approach?

Yes, it is a similar approach in terms of trying to be comprehensive.

Re: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models

#56

Post by yegg » Tue, Jun 18, 2019, 1:44 PM UTC

mont wrote: post #44

The "preview" button at the top of the page goes to a form to enter my email for "book updates". I'd be interested in reading a sample, does the book updates form provide one?

There is a sample on the Amazon page.

Re: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models

#57

Post by yegg » Tue, Jun 18, 2019, 1:44 PM UTC

enthd wrote: post #40

This looks really awesome I've always been curious of mental models so I just ordered a copy from Amazon. Also Gabriel, kudos to your work and DDG, I'm right near DDG headquarters and it's nice to know things like DDG are being created in my area.

Thanks!

Re: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models

#58

Post by manojlds » Tue, Jun 18, 2019, 2:18 PM UTC

stareatgoats wrote: post #51

yegg wrote: post #2

A few years ago I published a large list of mental models I find repeatedly useful ( https://medium.com/@yegg/mental-models-i-find-repeatedly-use... ), discussed at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12040707 . I've spent my spare time since (day job is running DuckDuckGo) with my co-author (statistician, researcher, and wife!) turning that list into this book, which weaves the 300+ mental models into nine narrativ…

Looks great! and something I'm more or less obsessed with myself (abstractions of any kind, really). Will definitely buy one! Somewhat OT, but I'm confused by the pricing on Amazon: Hardcover is $19.60 (20 used from 22.65, and 34 new from $14.00), paperback $28.92 (2 used from $34.32), Kindle 23.27, and more. Maybe I'm not used to Amazon, but this seems weird. How come so many used copies of a new book for example. A…

Kindle says $5 for me.

Re: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models

#59

Post by manojlds » Tue, Jun 18, 2019, 2:21 PM UTC

mathrawka wrote: post #36

seonsakke wrote: post #20

Congrats on the new book. How come the ebook (Kindle) is more expensive than the physical one? With higher commissions (and no printing or logistics costs) for the ebook, I'd expect the other way around.

For me, on Amazon, I see the ebook as $14.99, hardcover as $19.60 and paperback as $24.87. I'm surprised the hardcover is cheaper than the paperback.

It's $5 for me. Can you confirm if the price has been updated since you posted or maybe it's because I am from India.

Re: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models

#60

Post by nnx » Tue, Jun 18, 2019, 2:22 PM UTC

stareatgoats wrote: post #51

yegg wrote: post #2

A few years ago I published a large list of mental models I find repeatedly useful ( https://medium.com/@yegg/mental-models-i-find-repeatedly-use... ), discussed at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12040707 . I've spent my spare time since (day job is running DuckDuckGo) with my co-author (statistician, researcher, and wife!) turning that list into this book, which weaves the 300+ mental models into nine narrativ…

Looks great! and something I'm more or less obsessed with myself (abstractions of any kind, really). Will definitely buy one! Somewhat OT, but I'm confused by the pricing on Amazon: Hardcover is $19.60 (20 used from 22.65, and 34 new from $14.00), paperback $28.92 (2 used from $34.32), Kindle 23.27, and more. Maybe I'm not used to Amazon, but this seems weird. How come so many used copies of a new book for example. A…

Somehow I don’t find a Kindle edition. Did you find an alternate product page?