How to Not Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World that Demands Answers

by Simone Stolzoff

A guide to dealing with uncertainty at a time when our lives have never felt less certain.


From our careers to our politics to our personal lives, the future is unknown. And yet, our capacity to tolerate this uncertainty is in decline. How to Not Know will help you prepare for—and even appreciate—the uncertainty that surrounds us.


Through gripping stories of people grappling with big problems without easy answers—from an economist trying to predict the next market crash to an island nation reckoning with the existential impact of climate change—acclaimed journalist Simone Stolzoff shows how to develop comfort with ambiguity and build tolerance for the unknown.


Blending engrossing storytelling, research, and practical insights, How to Not Know is an essential guide to navigating uncertainty with courage and clarity.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 12, 2026

About the author

Simone Stolzoff is a writer and designer from San Francisco. A former design lead at the global innovation firm IDEO, his work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and many other publications. He is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania.