Why call them System 1 and System 2 rather than the more descriptive “automatic system” and “effortful system”? The reason is simple: “Automatic system” takes longer to say than “System 1” and therefore takes more space in your working memory. This matters, because anything that occupies your working memory reduces your ability to think. You should treat “System 1” and “System 2” as nicknames, like Bob and Joe, identifying characters that you will get to know over the course of this book. The fictitious systems make it easier for me to think about judgment and choice, and will make it easier for you to understand what I say.
 

SPEAKING OF SYSTEM 1 AND SYSTEM 2

“He had an impression, but some of his impressions are illusions.”

“This was a pure System 1 response. She reacted to the threat before she recognized it.”

“This is your System 1 talking. Slow down and let your System 2 take control.”

Reprinted from Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, LLC. Copyright © 2011 by Daniel Kahneman. All rights reserved.

9 Comments

1. 1. Asteroid Miner 08:43 AM 6/16/12

   There is a problem with the figures. I see only a little blue square.

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

2. 2. kered 09:30 AM 6/16/12

   Excellent article, but would be MUCH better if we could see the pictures. EDITOR... please reformat so we can read easily... Using system 1 for the pics!!!!!!

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

3. 3. mike_midwest 02:33 PM 6/17/12

   17x24 = 17x3x8 = 51x8 = (50+1)x8 = 400+8 = 408.

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

4. 4. HdeJong 04:30 PM 6/17/12

   (16+1)*25-17 = 425-17 = 408

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

5. 5. kered 07:27 PM 6/17/12

   hard math... try this way
   17*24= 20*24-3*24 = 480-72=408
   I am out of practice, took me ~~30 mins to figure this out... Whatever way, System 2, as System 1 cannot do these!!! Great article

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

6. 6. hugoal 06:31 AM 6/18/12

   Try this way:
   17*24=10*24+(10-3)*24=240+(240-72)=240+168=408
   or this one that's even easier:
   17*24=(10+10/2+2)*24=10*24+(10*24)/2+2*24=240+240/2+48=240+120+48=408
   Great article.

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

7. 7. euroflycars 04:15 PM 6/18/12

   Try that way:
   
   17*2=34 --> 17*20=340
   17*4=68
   
   340+68=408
   
   It's opportunistic, but that's why clever calculators will do it almost intuitively with their system 1.

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

8. 8. GeorgeOckel 05:24 PM 6/20/12

   Article seems interesting but without pictures loses appeal

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

9. 9. craigc0 03:48 PM 8/7/12

   needs the pictures. This has been noted many times, but no response.
   

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this