A Field Guide to Lies and Statistics

A guide to critical thinking in the post-truth era from the author of Sunday Times best-seller The Organized Mind We live in a world of information overload. Facts and figures on absolutely everything are at our fingertips but are too often biased distorted or outright lies. From unemployment figures to voting polls IQ tests to divorce rates were bombarded by seemingly plausible statistics on how people live and what they think. Daniel Levitin teaches us how to effectively ask ourselves: can we really know that? And how do they know that? In this eye-opening accessible guide filled with fascinating examples and practical takeaways acclaimed neuroscientist Daniel Levitin shows us how learning to understand statistics will enable you to make better smarter judgements on the world around you. Review In a post-truth world Levitins book is an invaluable primer on how to sort the fact from the fiction ―Sunday TimesThe world is awash with data but not always with accurate information. [Levitin] does a terrific job of illustrating the difference between the two with precision and delightful good humour -- Charles Wheelan author of Naked EconomicsDeservedly a bestseller -- Independent on The Organized MindSmart important exquisitely written -- Daniel Gilbert on The Organized MindThe Organized Mind is the perfect antidote to the effects of information overload. Loved it. -- Scott Turow New York Times bestselling author of Identical and Innocent on The Organized MindDaniel Levitins field guide is a critical thinking primer for our shrill data-drenched age. From the way averages befuddle to the logical fallacies that sneak by usevery page is enlightening -- Charles Duhigg author of The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster BetterValuable tools for anyone willing to evaluate claims and get to the truth of the matter ―Kirkus ReviewsAs a lucid guide to critical thinking about statistics information and assertion it is profoundly welcome ―Observer About the Author Daniel J. Levitin PhD is a neuroscientist cognitive psychologist and bestselling author. He trained at Stanford University Medical School The University of California at Berkeley and the University of Oregon. He is founding dean of Arts and Humanities at the Minerva Schools at KGI in San Francisco and Professor Emeritus of psychology and neuroscience at McGill University. He is the author ofThis Is Your Brain on Music The World in Six Songs The Organized Mind and A Field Guide to Lies and Statistics. He divides his time between Montreal and California.