Scott Adams on Loserthink, Part 5

In the book, Loserthink: How Untrained Brains Are Ruining America, Scott Adams analyzed and discussed ways to teach us how to eliminate our biases and to sharpen our ability to think critically.

These are some of my favorite quotes and takeaways from reading the book.

How can we minimize our tendency for Loserthink by thinking like a scientist?

What to watch out for: Coincidences

“Sometimes coincidences tell you something useful. But 90 percent of the time they mislead you. Never be too confident about an opinion that depends solely on interpreting a coincidence.”

What to watch out for: Anecdotal Evidence

“If you are reaching a general conclusion about a big topic by looking at anecdotal evidence, you are engaging in Loserthink.”

What to watch out for: “What if the Opposite is True?”

“Always ask yourself if the opposite of your theory could be true. Doing so keeps you humble and less susceptible to bias until you get to the truth of the situation.”

What to watch out for: Judging a Group by its Worst Members

“Don’t believe that every member of a group is as bad as its worst 5 percent. If you do, you’re probably among the worst five percent of whatever groups you are in”

What to watch out for: Proving a Negative

“Rarely is it possible to prove something isn’t true. But sometimes we can prove things are true.”

How can we minimize our tendency for Loserthink by thinking like an entrepreneur?

What to watch out for: Couch Lock

“Learn to think in microsteps. Of you are experiencing couch lock, try wiggling one finger. Then build from there.”

What to watch out for: Staying in Your Lane

“Sticking with what you know ensures you stay where you are. Take some chances. Leave your lane and build some skills.”

What to watch out for: Personal Control

“You can learn to think like a rich person by consuming books, blog posts, and podcasts from the authors who can teach you how. If this sore of reading isn’t your thing, make it your thing, one microstep at a time.”

What to watch out for: Humility and Testing

“Find a way to test your assumptions in a small way so no one gets hurt.”