The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality - Softcover

Montell, Amanda

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0008701156 ISBN 13: 9780008701154

Publisher: Thorsons, 2026

Synopsis

In the modern information age, our brain’s coping mechanisms have been overloaded, and our irrationality turned up to eleven. Amanda Montell blends cultural criticism and personal narrative to explore our modern cognitive biases and the power, disadvantages and highlights of magical overthinking.

"Magical thinking" can be broadly defined as the belief that one's internal thoughts can affect unrelated events in the external world. Whether that's "manifesting" their way out of poverty, staving off cancer with positive vibes, or transforming an unhealthy relationship to a glorious one through loyalty alone.

In a series of razor sharp and introspective chapters, Montell delves into cognitive biases that run rampant in our brains, from how the "halo effect" cultivates worship (and hatred) of larger-than-life celebrities, to how the "sunk cost fallacy" can keep us in detrimental relationships long after they no longer serve us.

Told with her signature brilliance and wit, Montell delivers a powerful prevailing message of hope and forgiveness for our anxious human experience. If you ever find yourself struggling, despite your best efforts, to keep faith in our overwhelming information overload, this book will be your guiding light.

Now’s the time to make sense of the senselessness and refresh our minds. Montell illuminates in the chaos, quieting the havoc, and invites us to listen, as even in the most startling dissonance, there is harmony.

About this title

About the Author

Amanda Montell is a writer and linguist from Baltimore. She is the author of the acclaimed books Wordslut and Cultish. Along with hosting the podcast Sounds Like a Cult, she has also written pieces for the New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, and more. She holds a degree in linguistics from NYU and lives in Los Angeles. Find her on Instagram @Amanda_Montell.

Edition details

• Publisher: Thorsons
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0008701156
• ISBN 13: 9780008701154
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272