The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality

Montell, the author of The Age of Magical Overthinking, is a linguist and cultural critic whose work explores the intersections of language, psychology, and society. Known for her previous book, Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, Montell has a deep understanding of how language shapes thought and behavior, making her well suited to examine cognitive biases in the modern age. Her academic background in linguistics informs her analysis throughout the book, as she dissects how our brains are wired to think irrationally and how digital culture exacerbates this tendency. Montell’s insights are rooted in both scientific research and personal experience, making her analysis relatable and grounded in real-world examples.

Montell’s personal life plays a significant role in The Age of Magical Overthinking, adding an intimate and approachable tone to the text. She shares numerous anecdotes from her own life, such as the details of her toxic, seven-year relationship, which she uses as an example of the sunk cost fallacy in Chapter 3. By making herself a subject of analysis, Montell humanizes the cognitive biases she discusses, illustrating that no one is immune to irrational thinking. This personal approach strengthens her connections with readers, allowing them to see themselves in her experiences and apply the lessons of the book to their own lives.