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Head in the Cloud: Why Knowing Things Still Matters When Facts Are So Easy to Look Up

by William Poundstone
Head in the Cloud: Why Knowing Things Still Matters When Facts Are So Easy to Look Up
Head in the Cloud: Why Knowing Things Still Matters When Facts Are So Easy to Look Up

Knowledge matters in an age of digital amnesia.

You've probably noticed how easy it is to Google facts nowadays, which makes Poundstone's "Head in the Cloud" a timely intervention. This book isn't just another rant about our collective ignorance; it's a fascinating look into the real benefits of knowing stuff in an era when our phones seem to know everything. If you're curious about why your brain is more reliable than your smartphone or how both your bank account and your political savvy might improve with a little old-fashioned knowledge, this book might just change the way you think about learning.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

Head in the Cloud: Why Knowing Things Still Matters When Facts Are So Easy to Look Up

by William Poundstone
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

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ISBN: 9780316256520
Author: William Poundstone
Publisher: Little, Brown Spark
Date of Publication: 2017-06-06
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: Business, Sociology, Politics, Economics, Science
Related Topics: Education, Communication, Popular Science, Sociology, Personal Development, Management, Politics, Economics, Technology, Psychology
Goodreads rating: 3.42
(rated by 643 readers)

Description

The real-world value of knowledge in the mobile-device age. More people know who Khloe Kardashian is than who Rene Descartes was. Most can't find Delaware on a map, correctly spell the word occurrence, or name the largest ocean on the planet. But how important is it to fill our heads with facts? A few keystrokes can summon almost any information in seconds. Why should we bother learning facts at all? Bestselling author William Poundstone confronts that timely question in Head in the Cloud. He shows that many areas of knowledge correlate with the quality of our lives -- wealth, health, and happiness -- and even with politics and behavior. Combining Big Data survey techniques with eye-opening anecdotes, Poundstone examines what Americans know (and don't know) on topics ranging from quantum physics to pop culture. Head in the Cloud asks why we're okay with spelling errors on menus but not on resumes; why Fox News viewers don't know which party controls Congress; why people who know "trivia" make more money than those who don't; how individuals can navigate clickbait and media spin to stay informed about what really matters. Hilarious, humbling, and wildly entertaining, Head in the Cloud is a must-read for anyone who doesn't know everything.
 

Knowledge matters in an age of digital amnesia.

You've probably noticed how easy it is to Google facts nowadays, which makes Poundstone's "Head in the Cloud" a timely intervention. This book isn't just another rant about our collective ignorance; it's a fascinating look into the real benefits of knowing stuff in an era when our phones seem to know everything. If you're curious about why your brain is more reliable than your smartphone or how both your bank account and your political savvy might improve with a little old-fashioned knowledge, this book might just change the way you think about learning.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

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