Willful Blindness: Why We Ignore the Obvious at Our Peril

About this book

Why after every major accident and blunder do we look back and ask how we could have been so blind? Why do some people see what others don't? How can we change? Drawing on studies by psychologists and neuroscientists, and from interviews with business leaders, whistle-blowers, and white collar criminals, distinguished businesswoman and writer Margaret Heffernan examines the phenomenon of willful blindness. She explores the reasons that individuals and groups are blind to impending personal tragedies, corporate collapses, engineering failures, even crimes against humanity. We turn a blind eye in order to feel safe, to avoid conflict, to reduce anxiety, and to protect prestige. Greater understanding leads to solutions, and Heffernan shows how--by challenging our biases, encouraging debate, discouraging conformity, and not backing away from difficult or complicated problems--we can be more mindful of what's going on around us and be proactive instead of reactive.