Source
Alchemy
Rory Sutherland's book on the "alchemy" of ideas that work despite not making rational sense — solutions logic alone wouldn't find. Cited in Episode 41 for a Red Bull vodka-cocktail study showing brand belief alone changes reported intoxication and confidence. Cited again in Episode 46 for a charity mail-out study showing that asking donors what they want (more Gift Aid information) actually reduced donations, while an unrequested change (higher-quality paper) increased them. Episodes 63 and 64 draw on the book's broader argument and examples (the penguin-nightlight promotion, the Boeing 787's "psychophysics," rail and airline uncertainty) as Sutherland returns as a full interview guest.
Discussed in
- Episode 41 — 41- The irrational way we perceive food
- Episode 82 — 3 Nudges I Wish I Learned at Business School (cited again by Katelyn Bourgoin for a recycling-sticker-then-donation story she flags as possibly mis-remembered in its specifics — see Recycling Sticker Foot-in-Door Donation Case)
- Episode 46 — 46- Five marketing lessons for 2021
- Episode 63 — 63- Rory Sutherland - Why counter-intuitive thinking wins
- Episode 64 — 64- Welcome to the Rory Sutherland Nudge Clinic
- Episode 191 — 191-rory-sutherland-on-drink-driving-five-guys-and-the-tube-map (re-cited, edited compilation of episodes 63/64)