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Unthinking

The surprising forces behind what we buy.

Attention
How To Know Another Person

Harry Beckwith J.D. on December 30, 2011

Struggling with his most important relationship, an author suddenly sees two images. They end up providing a solution for him--and anyone who wants to deepen a relationship with another person.

Struggling with his most important relationship, an author suddenly sees two images. They end up providing a solution for him--and anyone who wants to deepen a relationship with another person.

Charisma
How to Charm People: A Lesson from America's Master

Harry Beckwith J.D. on October 3, 2011

We once thought the ideal man was was "tall, dark and handsome," but no leading American actor is. There's a lesson in this. What do we find truly charming?

We once thought the ideal man was was "tall, dark and handsome," but no leading American actor is. There's a lesson in this. What do we find truly charming?

Cognition
What Do You Really Know?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on August 5, 2011

A chance encounter with an intriguing book, The Wave, exposes just how vulnerable our thinking is to several powerful outside influences. What can you learn from this, too?

A chance encounter with an intriguing book, The Wave, exposes just how vulnerable our thinking is to several powerful outside influences. What can you learn from this, too?

Happiness
Bless You, Jeret Peterson

Harry Beckwith J.D. on July 28, 2011

One day he was beaming on an Olympic victory stand, and the next day he was dead by his own young hand. What happened to Jeret Peterson?

One day he was beaming on an Olympic victory stand, and the next day he was dead by his own young hand. What happened to Jeret Peterson?

People's Most Beautiful
Beauty
What Is Beautiful?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on July 25, 2011

We think of beauty as something exceptional. Yet there is ample evidence that what makes you beautiful is something quite different. Who and what is beautiful? Brace yourself for a surprise.

We think of beauty as something exceptional. Yet there is ample evidence that what makes you beautiful is something quite different. Who and what is beautiful? Brace yourself for a surprise.

Happiness
How To Be Happier

Harry Beckwith J.D. on July 15, 2011

Do we experience unhappiness? Or do we merely think in such a way that unhappiness becomes inevitable? And what can you do to think yourself out of this dilemma and into happiness?

Do we experience unhappiness? Or do we merely think in such a way that unhappiness becomes inevitable? And what can you do to think yourself out of this dilemma and into happiness?

Leadership
George Clooney Is Dead?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on July 6, 2011

A crowd of independent thinkers acts wisely, as a famous book title once said. A crowd of people listening to others, however, easily becomes a Mob.

A crowd of independent thinkers acts wisely, as a famous book title once said. A crowd of people listening to others, however, easily becomes a Mob.

Career
The Secret: How The World's Best-Paid Persuaders Do It

Harry Beckwith J.D. on June 21, 2011

Want to land that job, promotion, account--or just coax a nice birthday present from your significant other? Follow the simple advice of the world's most effective--and highest-paid--presenters. No other approach works as powerfully--as you will see. Literally.

Want to land that job, promotion, account--or just coax a nice birthday present from your significant other? Follow the simple advice of the world's most effective--and highest-paid--presenters. No other approach works as powerfully--as you will see. Literally.

Consumer Behavior
How To Tap the Power of Your Mind: Four Surprising Stories

Harry Beckwith J.D. on May 25, 2011

How can you lose weight, give a speech, accomplish more? Four surprising stories--of 84 Boston hotel housekeepers, some lucky putters, colorless Cheetos, and Calvin Trillin's reception in a Minneapolis library--suggest an answer that you can use immediately.

How can you lose weight, give a speech, accomplish more? Four surprising stories--of 84 Boston hotel housekeepers, some lucky putters, colorless Cheetos, and Calvin Trillin's reception in a Minneapolis library--suggest an answer that you can use immediately.

Cognition
How To Outhink Common Sense

Harry Beckwith J.D. on April 29, 2011

"Common sense tells you," a partner or coworker begins, attempting to end your discussion right then. But how well has common sense worked? And how can we all achieve breakthroughs by looking differently at "common sense"?

"Common sense tells you," a partner or coworker begins, attempting to end your discussion right then. But how well has common sense worked? And how can we all achieve breakthroughs by looking differently at "common sense"?

Negotiating, Getting To Yes.
Persuasion
When's The Best Time To Get A "Yes"?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on April 21, 2011

Does the time of day significantly influence our decisions? And if it does, what does this tell us about the ideal times to ask for a raise, a contract, or a date?

Does the time of day significantly influence our decisions? And if it does, what does this tell us about the ideal times to ask for a raise, a contract, or a date?

Beauty
Does Beauty Matter?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on April 11, 2011

It's in the eyes of the beholder, perhaps--but whatever our eyes do see as beautiful, why does it matter? A half-dozen lessons of a career trying to satisfy, and understand, that craving.

It's in the eyes of the beholder, perhaps--but whatever our eyes do see as beautiful, why does it matter? A half-dozen lessons of a career trying to satisfy, and understand, that craving.

decision making tips
Narcissism
Seven Tips For Making Better Decisions

Harry Beckwith J.D. on March 31, 2011

How can you help your group--even a twosome--make better decisions? And actually enjoy the process? It's all in your heads. Here are seven proven tips, the lessons of over 30 years of strategic planning.

How can you help your group--even a twosome--make better decisions? And actually enjoy the process? It's all in your heads. Here are seven proven tips, the lessons of over 30 years of strategic planning.

Placebo
The Startling Tale of The Six-Inch Nail

Harry Beckwith J.D. on March 7, 2011

This really happened. Just after New Year's Day 2010, a 29 year-old British construction worker leaped before he looked. He survived, and left us with a remarkable story about how our minds work, and how you can win friends and influence people.

This really happened. Just after New Year's Day 2010, a 29 year-old British construction worker leaped before he looked. He survived, and left us with a remarkable story about how our minds work, and how you can win friends and influence people.

Cross-Cultural Psychology
Do Stars Matter?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on March 2, 2011

We see them rise and fall.  The Meryl Streeps, Geoffrey Rushes, and Oprahs are not just celebrities to us; they do something more--something that we need.

We see them rise and fall.  The Meryl Streeps, Geoffrey Rushes, and Oprahs are not just celebrities to us; they do something more--something that we need.

Optimism
Thinking Our Way Back to Prosperity

Harry Beckwith J.D. on February 28, 2011

Might one of our most famous traits eventually help will lift us out of the recession? Is a recovery all in our heads?

Might one of our most famous traits eventually help will lift us out of the recession? Is a recovery all in our heads?

Relationships
Why Millions Love Max Page

Harry Beckwith J.D. on February 23, 2011

31,500,000 people have gone on line in less than two weeks, just to watch a commercial.  What about this commercial--and about us--makes "Little Darth" so captivating?

31,500,000 people have gone on line in less than two weeks, just to watch a commercial.  What about this commercial--and about us--makes "Little Darth" so captivating?