I have never understood the human disposition to admire people who stay true to their beliefs even in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence.
This was never more aptly demonstrated to me than when John Kerry confessed in his run for the White House against George W Bush, that he’d changed his stance over Iraq.
Kerry admitted he had been made aware of new information and as such had changed his opinion accordingly.
You’d think that would garner respect, for having the balls to admit in public he made a poor decision in the first place.
It takes higher cognitive reasoning to do such a thing because the older more powerful parts of your brain (evolutionary speaking) hate to be wrong.
It kicks into effect a whole host of cognitive biases designed to get you to ignore pertinent information that can create cognitive dissonance.
Of course Bush’s supporters merely lambasted Kerry as a flip-flopper and somebody who couldn’t make his mind up and therefore wasn’t statesmanlike and therefore, fit for the Presidency.
Much better to have a President who stuck to his guns and was prepared to invade sovereign countries based on little or no evidence because he and his advisers had already drawn their conclusions.
As you can imagine that long preamble was a set up that allows me to change my mind in public….again.
I have flip-flopped backwards and forwards about what to do with all the ebooks I have written and currently they sit in my store where you can buy them should you so wish.
I have had periods where I have offered them for free, but decided a year or so ago that I should charge for them or risk devaluing the content.
Well screw that, it was a poor decision on my part and who cares if some people judge value based upon price?
Let’s Make My Books Free Again
When I launched my latest book Don’t Hesitate – Meditate (An introduction to meditation for beginners and skeptics) it was a real buzz to see so many hundreds of people download either the audio or ebook version.
Would so many have bought it if I’d have charged?
Of course not, it wouldn’t have even been close and that’s the reason I’m reverting back to giving most of my books away for free again because I want to get the message out.
Aligning With Your Core Values sells well and that’s easily the best and most valuable book I’ve written solo and that will stay as it is.
How To Be Rich and Happy sells steadily too and as all proceeds go to producing more books for good causes, that will stay as it is.
‘How To Set Goals That Work’, my in-depth look on goal setting, and my ’50 Greatest Motivational Quotes of All Time’ will remain exclusive to my newsletter readers.
Strictly speaking they won’t be free as you’ll need to give me your e-mail address to get them, but you can then unsubscribe if you so wish so they’re about as close to free as you can get.
However, ‘Don’t Ask Stupid Questions’, ‘Don’t Panic’ and ‘16 Ways To De-Stress Your Life’ will join ‘What The Hell Is Life Coaching’ as free downloads from now on.
Until I get the page set up properly you can grab them by clicking on which book you would like and entering coupon code: free
Ejunkie only allow me to have 100 free downloads per day so if it refuses you the books, it just means I’ve gone over the limit, so merely try again the following day.
As I say, eventually I’ll have the page set up so anybody can download straight from the book title, but until then, download until your hearts content and I’d love it if you could share the link or post to social media and help me spread the message.
IMPORTANT: If you only want two of the three books either do the process twice using the code each time, or just download the combo pack and delete those that you won’t read. Otherwise the system will only recognize the first coupon code and try to bill you for the other book.
Tim, you are truly generous!
I have already purchased your books and I’m truly honest when I say they are some of the best books I have about personal development.
This is an opportunity nobody should miss.
I truly admire you for being so bold and generous man! :)
Thanks dude and glad you enjoyed the books…obviously!
I just read a biography of Keynes, who replied to accusations of inconsistency with “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?”
I just had a flash back to driving past those concrete cows in Milton Keynes.
I grew up near there. It’s mile after mile of roundabout. I’ve told many Americans that the roundabout is the sign of civilisation, but then I think of MK and I’m not so sure.
I have no waying of knowing this for sure, but I suspect there are more roundabouts in Milton Keynes per sq mile than any other city in the world.
BTW, we have in our small town of Windermere about the only roundabout I have ever seen in the US. Trust me I don’t want any more as the locals haven’t got a fucking clue what to do when they arrive at it.
About the only thing I’ve yet to see is somebody drive straight over the middle, but there’s time.
Bloody hell,I wish every politician was as generous as you are :D Again,many many thanks!
Have a nice day and I hope you enjoyed the Easter vacations :D
I’m sure they are deep down.
Well, maybe not.
I never got the “flip flop” problem either. I would think that is called “learning.” Of course, I don’t think one of our political parties cares about “learning” duh! No Politician left behind–more loopholes, sleezy… oh you know.
Got to ask: “Which come first, your cartoons or your titles?”
I Love both. M.
Can be either or to be honest Mary. I’ll usually write the post and then look for a cartoon that fits, but occasionally I’ll rewrite part of a post if I see a cartoon I love and want to get in.
Tim, I like your spirit of generosity. I must have stumbled upon your blog when they were all free a long time ago because I have them already. I highly recommend them to everyone.
I did buy How to Be Rich and Happy. I haven’t bought your book on Values yet. It’s on my ever expanding wish list.
Well if you’re prepared to review it, I’ll send you a free copy!
interesting about the roundabout…
never thought of it like that before
you have some bery good work Tim
thanks
When I look back on life, there area SO many times that I have changed my mind.
I recall a number of times when I’ve been really judgmental of people who held a contrary position and then changed that position myself.
I suspect people fear hypocrisy in others. That can be a concern but it depends on what makes you swap sides… self-interest… or a real growth in knowledge or wisdom.
I don’t recall the incident (though interested in politics I’m British so haven’t picked up on the story), but it sounds like Kerry’s reason was new knowledge. Labelled as hypocrisy.
Interesting enough it all happened when I still lived in the UK, but always followed US politics closely, yet now I live her bizarrely, I don’t.
And you’re right he was shown new documentation that caused his mind shift.