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Watch: Lecture by Psychologist Barry Schwartz One of TED's Greatest Hits

September 21st, 2010 Alisa Giardinelli

Lecture by Psychologist Barry
Schwartz One of TED's Greatest Hits

by Alisa Giardinelli
9/21/10

Barry Schwartz
Fast Company recently published a Top 10 List of TED videos, a series of online talks on a wide range of subjects loosely described as "ideas worth spreading." Included is The Paradox of Choice, during which psychologist Barry Schwartz "gives a profound, witty discourse on why more freedom doesn't equal more happiness." Last year, Schwartz gave a second TED talk in which he described "practical wisdom" as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy.

Schwartz is the Dorwin P. Cartwright Professor of Social Theory and Social Action. His books include The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less and The Costs of Living: How Market Freedom Erodes the Best Things in Life. Earlier this year on The Colbert Report, he further explored why people are paralyzed with indecision when offered too many choices.