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In the Blink of an Eye


Synopsis


In the Blink of an Eye is celebrated film editor Walter Murch's vivid, multifaceted, thought -- provoking essay on film editing. Starting with what might be the most basic editing question -- Why do cuts work? -- Murch treats the reader to a wonderful ride through the aesthetics and practical concerns of cutting film. Along the way, he offers his unique insights on such subjects as continuity and discontinuity in editing, dreaming, and reality; criteria for a good cut; the blink of the eye as an emotional cue; digital editing; and much more. In this second edition, Murch reconsiders and completely revises his popular first edition's lengthy meditation on digital editing (which accounts for a third of the book's pages) in light of the technological changes that have taken place in the six years since its publication.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Power of Blink

* Introduces the concept of "blink" as a split-second decision made without conscious thought.
* Argues that blinks are powerful because they tap into our unconscious biases and emotions.
* Real-life example: A consumer quickly decides to buy a product based on its packaging color without rationally considering alternatives.

Chapter 2: The Science of Blink

* Explores the neurological basis of blinks, explaining how the brain processes information and makes decisions.
* Discusses the role of the amygdala and hippocampus in intuitive decision-making.
* Real-life example: A doctor intuitively diagnoses a patient's illness based on their body language and facial expressions.

Chapter 3: The Art of Blink

* Provides practical strategies for harnessing the power of blinks in various scenarios.
* Emphasizes the importance of observing and interpreting nonverbal cues.
* Real-life example: A sales representative notices a customer's hesitation and adjusts their pitch accordingly.

Chapter 4: The Blink Factor

* Explores the factors that influence the accuracy and reliability of blinks.
* Discusses the impact of cognitive biases, emotions, and environmental cues.
* Real-life example: A jury member forms an instant bias against a defendant based on their physical appearance.

Chapter 5: The Blink Advantage

* Highlights the advantages of using blinks to make decisions.
* Explains how blinks can save time, reduce stress, and improve outcomes.
* Real-life example: A CEO makes a quick decision to acquire a rival company based on his gut feeling.

Chapter 6: The Blink Trap

* Addresses the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on blinks.
* Warns against making decisions based on snap judgments or emotions alone.
* Real-life example: An investor loses money in the stock market after making a hasty investment decision.

Chapter 7: Mastering the Blink

* Provides guidance on how to develop and refine your intuitive decision-making skills.
* Emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking.
* Real-life example: A coach helps an athlete to trust their instincts and make better on-field decisions.

Chapter 8: The Blink Revolution

* Discusses the implications of blink decision-making in various fields, including business, healthcare, and politics.
* Argues that blinks can empower individuals and organizations to make more informed and effective choices.
* Real-life example: A politician wins an election by connecting with voters on an intuitive level.