A very illuminating conversation -- I enjoyed Dr. Ariely's approach to both serious and so-called trivial problems in life, and look forward to buying his book.

His remarks on the "usefulness" (or, shall we say, rationality) of revenge prompt this serious request:

I wonder if Dr. Ariely would be interested in analyzing Middle East "players," and devising a game-theory approach that might show what it would really take to get parties, all of whom are untrusting and perhaps with reason, beyond the revenge-then-retaliation-for-revenge-ad-infinitum cycle? Surely there would be money available for such research, and it would be highly meaningful as well. (At least as meaningful as building Bionicles!) And I think that only someone with such respect for the power of irrationality could make any progress on such a goal.

the guy is brilliant, I for one am glad that he didn't allow his illness to stop his thought processes and the result is this very thought provoking book, thanks for helping those of us who examine our lives to see that we're just not wasting time,

His comment about his kids reminds me of a funny comment a friend once made: "My kid crying is a tragedy of monumental proportions, your kid crying is just annoying."

So thought-provoking!!! Absolutely fabulous. Wonder how to incorporate into my life. Will get his book for sure. Thanks, Leonard!

Not just cirrhosis--hepatitis C can also cause liver cancer decades later (they may not have known this yet when Mr. Ariely was being treated). I'm glad he stuck w/the treatment & it worked! But I wonder if the prospect of cancer might motivate people more than that of cirrhosis, because it's scarier?