Expressing certitude often grants authority even when ideas are fragile or mistaken.
The internet has increased the number of people in public discourse, making it harder to discern what is true.
Changing societal values and perspectives may reinterpret or render certain works or artists culturally irrelevant.
Deep dives
The Question of Certainty and the Nature of Truth
This podcast episode delves into the question of why we are so confident in our beliefs, even when they may turn out to be incorrect. It explores the idea that expressing certitude is often seen as authoritative, even when the ideas we are confident about may be fragile or mistaken.
The Impact of Expanded Access to Information
With the proliferation of the internet, the number of people actively involved in public discourse has increased significantly. However, expressing confidence in ideas has become a way to gain attention and authority in a crowded information landscape, leading to the tendency for people to act more certain about ideas they know to be incorrect or uncertain.
The Changing Definition of Truth
The emergence of the internet has led to a proliferation of ideas and viewpoints. However, the constant stream of information has made it harder to discern what is true. This challenge is heightened by the tendency for ideas to be repeated and reinforced, making it difficult to reinterpret or challenge widely accepted beliefs about the present.
The Changing Landscape of Cultural Relevance
The book explores the changing perceptions of cultural relevance, using examples from literature, music, and television. It suggests that what is seen as culturally significant may change over time, with certain artists or works being reinterpreted or becoming less relevant as societal values and perspectives shift.
Exploring the Intelligence and Emotional Capacity of Animals
The podcast episode raises questions about the cognitive abilities and emotional intelligence of animals compared to humans. It contemplates the possibility that animals may have a greater capacity for emotional intelligence, highlighting the potential implications this could have for our understanding of intelligence, empathy, and our relationship with animals.
Chuck Klosterman, author of But What If We're Wrong, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the possibility that things we hold to be undeniably true may turn out to be totally false in the future. This wide-ranging conversation covers music and literary reputations, fundamentals of science, and issues of self-deception and illusion.
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