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WHY do construction projects always take longer than planned – and cost more? Why, despite statistics that say otherwise, do we tend to have an unfounded faith that we are less likely than our peers to get divorced or be diagnosed with cancer?

In The Optimism Bias, neuroscientist Tali Sharot argues that an ability to cast the future in a rosy light helps maintain our happiness in the present, and has proven key to our survival. To support her case she offers examples from everyday life, and tours the latest research exploring how our brain is wired to help us…

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