What is this blog about?

If you've come to this page, you're probably wondering what this blog is about. You probably gathered that its about decision making, but admittedly that's pretty vague. So, let me explain what this blog is all about.

My name is Ethan Guthrie, and I am interested in how people use their minds to make assessments of the world around them and within them, and how these assessments inform the decisions people eventually make. For example, if you decided to have coffee this morning, what exactly went into that decision? You certainly noted the time of day which makes coffee an appropriate drink choice. You also likely noted that you were feeling tired, and you fetched from your memory the knowledge that coffee would alleviate your fatigue. All of these things (and likely more) came together in your ultimate decision to make and drink coffee. In the course of just a few short moments, your mind gathered evidence and reached a logical conclusion--give yourself a pat on the back. Of course, many decisions that we face are more complex than drink choices, and that is where my interest primarily lies. What information do people generate and make use of when making choices? Is there any way to do better? The short answer to the latter question is a resounding "yes," and that is the point of this blog. This blog will share examples of how people make flawed decisions about health, money, and themselves. I look forward to seeing you there.