"In Start Making Sense, psychologist Steven J. Heine shows how to overcome our angst and live life with purpose. Heine uses existential psychology to study the kinds of questions such as Who are we? Why do we seek meaning? How do we connect with one another? Drawing on decades of research, Heine shows that humans evolved to seek meaning: our survival depends on our ability to make sense of an absurd world. Every day, we deploy an arsenal of psychological tactics to make and maintain meaning in our lives, from rationalizing our choices, to waxing nostalgic about the past, to defending our cultural worldviews. By understanding why and how we seek to make sense, we can live authentic lives in times that don't seem to make sense at all"--