[jyl]

Humans have such poor decision making.

We, among other flaws:
- See non existent patterns in noise or small data sets
- Extrapolate past trends without basis
- Are over confident in our own abilities
- Have confirmation bias
- Generalize and stereotype
- Jump to conclusions, make hasty decisions
- Are prone to panicky adrenalin fueled actions
- Act on feeling rather than reason
- Etc

However, is this because we are so poorly developed, or is this because we are very well developed for the environment in which we evolved?

Humans were evolved to survive in dangerous primitive environments. Thorough data gathering and lengthy analysis was not usually possible. Often we had to quickly act on very little information, lest we be eaten while waiting for more facts. Being frozen with doubt was often worse than being over confident. Stereotyping and generalizing are ways to reach a fast decision, and adrenalin gave us strength and speed. Hamlet wouldn't have lasted long in the jungle.

But we now find ourselves in a different world. Accurate analysis and reasoning is rewarded here. More than jumping to conclusions and making hasty assumptions.

That's my excuse, anyway. I'm not dumb, I'm just lost.