Head in the Cloud

By: William Poundstone

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Synopsis: The cloud is a friend who happens to know everything. It's always available, gives an instant answer, and never gets upset with dumb questions. We have become suspicious of learning for its own sake because, after all, what is the point of knowing anything when facts are so easy to look up? This is the golden age of rational ignorance, and it has radical implications for democracy. Those who can pinpoint a country on a map are less likely to favour military intervention there, and those who score highly on a general knowledge quiz don't want to build a wall across the US-Mexico border. At the same time, the well-informed generalist is healthier, happier and often dramatically wealthier. Packed with fascinating insights and based on the author's original studies, Head in the Cloud is both a manifesto for the surprising benefits of broadening your horizons and a warning of the dangers of an ill-informed electorate.