Book Summary: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models
Super Thinking is a comprehensive guide that introduces readers to the concept of mental models—powerful thinking tools used by the world’s smartest problem-solvers to make better decisions. The authors, Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann, argue that success in life and work often comes down to how effectively we think. Mental models are essentially frameworks that help us understand how the world works.
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The book offers over 300 mental models from various disciplines including economics, psychology, physics, and statistics. These models serve as shortcuts to help us avoid cognitive biases, spot opportunities, and make sound judgments. Rather than relying on one way of thinking, Super Thinking encourages building a broad mental toolbox—a concept inspired by Charlie Munger’s idea of a “latticework of mental models.”
Some of the key mental models include:
• Second-Order Thinking – Considering the long-term consequences of actions
• Opportunity Cost – Weighing what you give up for every choice you make
• Confirmation Bias – Being aware of our tendency to seek information that supports our beliefs
• Circle of Competence – Knowing what you know and admitting what you don’t
• Inversion – Thinking backwards from the outcome you want to avoid
The book is practical, filled with examples, and aims to train the reader’s mind to make clearer, more strategic decisions every day.
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Book Review
Super Thinking is widely appreciated for its clarity, practicality, and wide-ranging applications. Readers praise the book for breaking down complex concepts into digestible, real-world advice. It doesn’t just teach you what to think—it teaches you how to think.
The writing is accessible and engaging, and the use of cartoons and illustrations makes abstract concepts easier to understand. Many readers find themselves returning to the book again and again as a mental reference guide. It’s especially useful for entrepreneurs, managers, students, and lifelong learners who want to improve their decision-making skills.
If you’re someone who wants to upgrade your thinking and avoid common mental traps, this book is a must-read.
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Inspiring Story from the Book
One of the standout stories in the book is about second-order thinking in environmental policy. The authors explain how banning plastic straws might seem like a good idea at first glance (first-order thinking), but when viewed through the lens of second-order effects, it raises questions about the unintended consequences of alternatives. For instance, replacing plastic with paper or metal might lead to increased energy use or emissions. This story highlights how deep thinking—beyond surface-level solutions—leads to better decision-making.
It inspires readers to look beyond immediate results and think in systems and chains of effects, which is vital for long-term success in any field.
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Best Quotes from Super Thinking
Here are some thought-provoking quotes from the book:
• “If you want to be smarter, the first thing to do is to build a latticework of mental models.”
• “You can’t make a good decision without understanding the forces at play.”
• “Second-order thinking means thinking farther ahead and thinking holistically.”
• “Mental models are how we understand the world, and better models lead to better thinking and better decisions.”
• “If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can’t know if you’re doing it well.”
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