Reddit reviews Think Like a Freak: The Authors of Freakonomics Offer to Retrain Your Brain

> There is a reason the authors haven't been heard of much lately.

I agree with a lot of what you said, but they do have a regular podcast and an upcoming book.

To reference [Think Like a Freak by Stephen Levitt & Stephen Dubner] (http://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Freak-Authors-Freakonomics/dp/0062218336) - People often say that they are motivated by social and moral issues, however in practice - neither of these are effective in spurring action. (The relevant chapter described a promotion campaign in CA to reduce electricity consumption, where appealing to citizens social and moral conscience was less effective than other options)

Credit Unions (in my experience) are a great option for most consumers, and it often doesn't become evident why you would ever want to switch to a bank until you can't do something (or can't do it easily). For example, you are in the USA, and want to take out cash - the person with a local CU account suddenly finds it all a lot less convenient. Additionally, I have found (and perhaps I have just stumbled across a few bad apples) that the level of service provided at a CU is terrible in comparison to larger financial institutions.

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Freak-Authors-Freakonomics/dp/0062218336

Bought the book but haven't read it yet.

>though she has never gone on medication

Then this is motivated entirely by dogma and you're going to have a tough time convincing her only with facts. Check out Chapter 8 of Think Like a Freak for some help with persuading her if that's your goal.

I can share my story, though. I've always been a big, creative, and constant thinker. I didn't know for many years that it wasn't normal to have no "off" switch on your brain. Before my ADHD was on the verge of totally fucking up my life I was always afraid to go get diagnosed and seek treatment, and I was opposed to medication by default (mostly because everyone seemed to be so afraid of ADHD meds and I trusted them for some reason). I was worried I'd lose the things I love about my brain. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Once on the correct dosage, I found that when I am trying to do something I am able to put my focus on that task. This includes work, chores, and creative endeavors. I can actually write, for instance, instead of just thinking of things I "want to write."

When I'm not doing anything, though, my brain pretty much keeps working like it always has. When I'm taking the dog for a walk or playing fetch with her, though, I keep thinking. The difference is thinking is now intentional, productive, and generally positive. I really don't feel like I've lost a single damn thing.

To be brutally honest, I had gotten to the point that when I had to do anything that wasn't loads of fun I had to stick in my headphones and listen to a podcast or audiobook. I started getting in the practice of shutting off my brain so it couldn't send me signals that what I was doing was excruciatingly boring. Not getting treated made me get in the habit of shutting off the very thing I was afraid treatment would ruin.

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference - Malcolm Gladwell

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business - Charles Duhigg

Thinking, Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman

------------ On my list -----------------

Think Like a Freak - Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner