Take The Risk.

Book Review

Carson, Ben. M.D., Lewis, Gregg. Take The Risk. Learning to identify, choose, and live with acceptable risk. Zondervan. 2008
B.C.- professor of neurosurgery, plastic surgery, oncology, and pediatrics at John’s Hopkins Medical Institution.

Comment. Henry
We have a book here that I would place at very high level of ‘self help’ books. Risk is a part of every person’s life. Here is a manual about how to “identify, choose, and live with acceptable risk”. (Subtitle) The doctor’s passion and values are very inspiring. His stories are gripping and illustrate dramatically what he is wanting us to understand. His own personal story is full of examples of risk management. A very practical easy-reading resource.

The first several chapters tell the story of an amazing effort that was made by a large medical team, including the doctor, to separate the twenty nine year old sisters from Iran, Ladan and Laleh Bijani. Although the twins did not survive, the lessons learned and the decision making process as it related to risk become somewhat of a ‘foundation’ for what follows in the book.

“People are more sensitized to risk today than at any other time in history.” (45) Science risk analysis is something that had its beginnings in the 1970s and touches every area of our lives. Risk is everywhere. Knowledge increases worry. We feel less safe than we did a generation ago but the statistics tell something else, e.g. longevity is increasing. Many risks aren’t worth worrying about. Risk can be minimized but it cannot be removed. We need to decide what risks are acceptable and what risks are actually good.

The author shares some of the risk factors that were part of his ‘growing up’ years. Some ‘successful’ risks of his school experience actually became life changing, i.e. going to Yale. Good risks involve, “thinking in new ways, weighing the alternatives, making your own decisions”. (96-99)

A risk analysis formula is presented made up of four relatively simple questions.
“What is the best thing that could happen if I do this?
What is the worst thing that could happen if I do this?
What is the best thing that could happen if I don’t do this?
What is the worst thing that could happen if I don’t do this? (105) This formula is abbreviated, B/WA.

“Faith is a risk- whatever you believe.” (125) Living one’s faith in an uncertain world is certainly a risk. Anything worth doing involves risk. There are times when taking yourself out of the middle of the risk formula is beneficial, e.g. be nice to people.

Part of doing a risk analysis using the basic four questions will necessitate the consideration of “secondary factors”. (189) Subjective factors do not negate the value of risk analysis. Parenting, with all its risks, becomes more difficult because of perceived conflicting assignments (e.g. protecting and preparing). Timing becomes crucial. “Our most important job as parents may well be to make certain our children know who they are (self-identity), what they believe, and where they are going.” (197) Included in these skills should be some risk management analysis skills. Public risk taking is a huge challenge. Such risk taking is very much over-regulated, especially in health care.

The author introduces some big picture issues that he feels should warrant some serious national risk taking, e.g. federal taxation, gamboling, etc. The risk of doing nothing (question four, B/WA) or being silent, is not acceptable. We have been created with an amazing brain and it becomes our personal responsibility to use it, especially as it relates to our personal and global environment.