The Jordan Harbinger Show 903: Dan Ariely | Why Rational People Believe Irrational Things
62 snips
Sep 28, 2023 
Dan Ariely, a renowned behavioral economist and author, delves into why rational individuals often cling to irrational beliefs. He discusses the appeal of conspiracy theories across political divides and emphasizes the importance of empathy for those misled by misinformation. Ariely shares his personal experiences with conspiracy theorists, exposing the psychological toll of such interactions. He advocates for resilience as a 'vaccine' against misbelief, highlighting how human psychology shapes our understanding of truth in times of crisis.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Dan Ariely Conspiracy Theories
- Dan Ariely received an email questioning how he'd changed, leading to discovering bizarre conspiracy theories about himself.
- These theories alleged he joined a cabal with Bill Gates, aiming to harm healthy people due to his burn injuries.
Half-Beard Revelation
- Growing a half-beard unexpectedly changed Ariely's relationship with his burn scars.
- He realized hiding his scars hindered his psychological healing, highlighting the unexpected long-term effects of actions.
Defining Misbelief
- Misbelief involves holding a belief contrary to expert consensus and making it central to one's identity.
- This belief becomes a lens through which everything is interpreted, influencing information seeking and overall worldview.
