[jlj]

This book talks about in mental models in depth, "Deep Survival" by Lawrence Gonzales [1]. Mental models can contribute to death in survival situations because they are biased by past experience. Being adaptable and practicing resilience is a much better survival strategy. A dark sense of humor helps too.

It's a really great read on how the brain works. It helped me understand some of my own fears about the COVID pandemic. It also helps me understand (but not agree with) why some people are so resistant to wearing masks when it might keep their loved ones alive.

The book gives examples of mountaineering accidents. The mental model says that the group is roped in together. Symbolically, everyone is a team, in it together. But guess how much physical force is generated by gravity when 150+ pounds of person and gear when a fall reached the end of a 50ft rope? More than what physical strength and crampons can support. That one mental model comes up a lot in mountaineering accident reports.

[1] https://smile.amazon.com/dp/0393326152