#548 - Tim Harford - Why Is Thinking Clearly So Difficult?
Modern Wisdom
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Toxic Cynicism and Cognitive Biases
This chapter examines the phenomenon of toxic cynicism prevalent in online discourse, where excessive skepticism leads to dismissing information that contradicts personal beliefs. The discussion highlights cognitive biases, such as the Dunning-Kruger effect, and explores how emotions and intuition can influence decision-making and the sharing of misinformation. Through anecdotes, including Arthur Conan Doyle's belief in a photographic hoax, the chapter underscores the complexities of human perception and the challenges in discerning truth in a biased environment.
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