Why people recommend it
The Perfection Trap by Thomas Curran is a revealing look at the modern obsession with flawlessness, exploring how societal pressures and perfectionism create psychological distress. The book was featured on No Stupid Questions and People I (Mostly) Admire. On No Stupid Questions, Angela introduced Thomas Curran as a London School of Economics professor and a world expert on perfectionism, praising his subtitle for advocating the power of being good enough. On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt hosted Curran for an extensive conversation dissecting the book's core arguments. Curran explained that his research dismantles the cultural narrative that wearing perfectionism as a badge of honor is healthy, pointing instead to systemic pressures, parental expectations, and a relentless modern fixation on growth as key drivers of the issue. He noted that his book subtly indicts the broader economic system without explicitly using the word capitalism, while closing with a call to abandon growth-at-all-costs mentalities. Throughout these podcast segments, the hosts recommended the book to listeners trapped in cycles of chronic stress and overworking, positioning it as an essential guide for breaking free from impossible personal standards and embracing a more compassionate, balanced approach to life.
Who recommended it
- Steve Levitt Recommended
- Mike Maughan Discussed
- Thomas Curran Discussed
Steve Levitt — 4 mentions
“Lots of people call themselves perfectionists and wear that label as a badge of honor, but the research done by Thomas and others, which he describes in his brand-new book, The Perfection Trap, tells a very different story.”
“It’s interesting because you point in your book, The Perfection Trap, towards parents as being an important contributor to the growth of perfectionism.”
“I don’t mention capitalism once in the book. You dance around it; you indict our system, but you just don’t use the word capitalism.”
“If you're intrigued by our conversation, Thomas's latest book is titled 'The Perfection Trap.'”
Mike Maughan — 1 mention
“He's a professor at the London School of Economics, and he's kind of this world expert on perfectionism. His book is called The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough! I mean, it tells you where he stands right there!”
Thomas Curran — 1 mention
“What I'm communicating in the book, particularly in the final chapter, is that we need to move away from this fixation on growth at all costs.”