You may have heard about the recent Volkswagen scandal involving a cheat to pass emissions tests in VW diesel vehicles.

I’d like to get your opinions about this event, so I’ve added a questionnaire to my survey app called “(sample) size matters.”

If you would like to participate in the study (as well as other studies that you’ll find in the app), simply download the app on iOS or Android and share your opinions.

Irrationally Yours,
Dan Ariely

The day has finally come!

We’ve just launched the Irrational Game Kickstarter campaign, which means you can now get the game and some other rewards here.

The Irrational Game – We hope it will be a thought provoking, engaging and fun way to incorporate social sciences and human behavior into a challenging and strategic game.

It should also give you a way to reflect on your behavior and what you might want to change

If you consider supporting the project, please do it on the first day. A first day boost will give us great momentum for the entire campaign!

Thank you so much for all of your support. We can’t wait to get you the game.

Irrationally yours,

Dan

Do you manage at least a portion of your own investments? If so, we have a survey studying investor behavior and could use your help. The survey contains questions about financial decision-making that’s part of a research study at Duke University. Please open the link below in a new window to take the survey. The survey should take you about 30 minutes. We would appreciate your full attention and careful consideration of each question. Participation is voluntary and your answers will remain anonymous. Thanks for participating!

You can access the survey here: https://new.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0oJot9TrgO8oqRn

ALERTS TO THREATS IN EUROPE: BY JOHN CLEESE

by John Cleese – British writer, actor and tall person

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Syria and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s get the Bastards.” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France ‘s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout Loudly and Excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.”

The Germans have increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose.”

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels .

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be alright, Mate.” Two more escalation levels remain: “Crikey! I think we’ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!” and “The barbie is cancelled.” So far no situation has ever warranted use of the last final escalation level.

A final thought – ” Greece is collapsing, the Iranians are getting aggressive, and Rome is in disarray. Welcome back to 430 BC”.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/926647-alerts-to-threats-in-europe-by-john-cleese

Hear her story on an open door policy below, and check out more reader responses in this album.

Irrationally Yours,

Dan Ariely

This reader got lucky after reading Irrationally Yours. Maybe you can get lucky too!

Irrationally Yours,

Dan Ariely

My new book Irrationally Yours, based on my “Ask Ariely” column in the Wall Street Journal, comes out today.

In this video, I offer advice to passersby on everything ranging from commuting to work to a trip around the world.

Irrationally Yours,

Dan Ariely

Dear Friends,

My new book — Irrationally Yours is out today.  The book is based on my “Ask Ariely” column with some amazing cartoons by William Haefeli.

Here is a sample of what you might learn from the book…..

• What can you do to stay calm when you’re playing the volatile stock market?
• What’s the best way to get someone to stop smoking?
• How can you maximize the return on your investment at an all-you-can-eat buffet?
• Is it possible to put a price on the human soul?
• Can you ever rationally justify spending thousands of dollars on a Rolex?

And here are some extra kind words from a few individuals:

With 70% of his body burned, 3 years in hospital, and decades of experiments in social science, Dan views life from a unique perspective. In this thoroughly entertaining book Dan providing insightful advice to a vast range of human problems. I loved it.

Terry Jones, Monty Python member, director, actor and writer

Ariely is a master observer of human foibles. His advice is funny, thoughtful, and well-founded. Sometimes all three together. My advice: read it, enjoy it, think about it.

Al Roth, Craig and Susan McCaw Professor of Economics at Stanford University, Nobel laureate in Economics.

From advice on relationships to insight on superstitions, Ask Ariely is as informative as it is witty. I really enjoyed reading it.

Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer, Sex Therapist

The human brain is one of the largest mysteries in the world. Trying to understand its complexities and improve our behavior is one of the main challenges society deals with. In Irrationally Yours, Dan shares with us some of these mysteries and the tools for accomplishing this task.

Anthony “Tony” Robbins, life coach. Author of Unlimited Power, Unleash the Power Within and Awaken the Giant Within.

Dan is the most provocative, interesting, and to-the-point advice columnist you are likely to read, whether on your job, your love life, your kids or your disrespectful neighbors.

Tyler Cowen, Holbert L. Harris Professor of Economics at George Mason University, Author of Average Is Over and blogger at marginalrevolution.com

There is nobody better placed to solve your problems than Dan Ariely. A master of both rationality and irrationality, he’s wise enough to know which to recommend in any situation. A funny, addictive, life-changing book.

Tim Harford, author of The Undercover Economist Strikes Back

And here are a few links:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/1yIGKcx

B&N: http://bit.ly/1GZ2oz1

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1Jt1Wa8

iBooks: http://bit.ly/18k0Q3b

Books-a-Million: http://bit.ly/1yIGOcg

This reader was inspired to pursue her dreams after reading Irrationally Yours. Hear her story below:

Irrationally Yours,

Dan Ariely