I have always believed that scientific research is another domain where a form of optimism is essential to success: I have yet to meet a successful scientist who lacks the ability to exaggerate the importance of what he or she is doing, and I believe that someone who lacks a delusional sense of significance will wilt in the face of repeated experiences of multiple small failures and rare successes, the fate of most researchers.

People like leaders who look like they are dominant, optimistic, friendly to their friends, and quick on the trigger when it comes to enemies. They like boldness and despise the appearance of timidity and protracted doubt.

We deeply want to be led by people who know what they're doing and who don't have to think about it too much.

The idea that you can ask one question and it makes the point - well, that wasn't how psychology was done at the time.

If there is time to reflect, slowing down is likely to be a good idea.

Odd as it may seem, I am my remembering self, and the experiencing self, who does my living, is like a stranger to me.

There are domains in which expertise is not possible. Stock picking is a good example. And in long-term political strategic forecasting, it's been shown that experts are just not better than a dice-throwing monkey.