THE OPTIMISM BIAS A Tour of the Irrationally Positive Brain

According to Tali Sharot, human beings are hard-wired by evolution for optimism. Optimism enhances the probability of survival and reduces damaging stress and anxiety. Although realistic in our expectations for others, we anticipate glowing results from our own experiences, whether they’re as complex as marriage or as simple as a haircut, a vacation, or listening to an audiobook. That particular optimism is justified in Susan Denaker’s narration. Sharot makes cutting-edge neuroscience accessible through stories that illustrate her research, and Denaker’s perfect timing allows listeners to envision diagrams, absorb graphs, and contemplate reader-directed questions. Denaker’s warm voice invites listeners not only to follow broad discussions of memory but also to stay comfortably engaged, even eager, for Sharot’s in-depth descriptions of brain biology. M.C.T. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2011]