Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal David Robson: Placebo Effect, Mortality, and IQ Traps
Feb 13, 2023
David Robson, a science author with a mathematics degree from Oxford, discusses fascinating insights on the placebo effect and cognitive traps tied to IQ. He delves into how expectations shape health and intelligence, uncovering the paradox where high IQ doesn't always equate to rational behavior. The conversation touches on the importance of curiosity in learning and the surprising dynamics of group intelligence. Robson explores the interplay of belief and health outcomes, emphasizing how mindset can significantly impact quality of life.
02:44:57
Boosting Rationality
- Increase RQ by learning about biases, practicing critical thinking, overriding gut reactions, and considering opposing viewpoints.
- Question how you would evaluate evidence if it supported the opposite conclusion.
Political Biases in Science
- Scientific consensus can be influenced by political biases, as seen in studies on gun control and climate change.
- Overcoming motivated reasoning requires curiosity, open-mindedness, and safe spaces for discussion.
Functional Stupidity
- Functional stupidity in companies arises from cultures suppressing dissent, leading to overlooked problems and disasters.
- Examples include the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and Nokia's downfall.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Exploring Reality: The Influence of Thought and Intelligence
01:53 • 2min
Rethinking Intelligence and Rationality
04:12 • 15min
Mindsets and Mysteries
19:35 • 8min
Curiosity and Knowledge: The Feynman Approach
27:40 • 18min
The Power of Expectation: Unveiling the Placebo Effect
45:59 • 3min
Harnessing the Expectation Effect
49:21 • 19min
The Double-Edged Sword of Sleep Awareness
01:08:22 • 4min
Navigating Sleep and Learning Challenges
01:12:19 • 14min
Redefining Wisdom and Rationality
01:26:39 • 15min
Enhancing Rationality: Overcoming Cognitive Biases
01:41:58 • 4min
Navigating Bias in Scientific Discourse
01:46:04 • 25min
The Paradox of All-Star Teams: When Too Many Stars Hurt Performance
02:10:49 • 2min
The Dynamics of Collective Intelligence in Teams
02:12:59 • 2min
Mindset and Health: The Power of Belief
02:15:09 • 20min
The Power of Expectation on Intelligence and Perception
02:35:12 • 4min
Exploring Creativity and Acquired Savantism
02:38:43 • 4min
Exploring Language, Culture, and Creative Encouragement
02:43:03 • 5min
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The book is based on thousands of pages from da Vinci's notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work.
It connects his artistic achievements to his scientific inquiries, showcasing how his genius unified art and science.
The narrative emphasizes da Vinci's skills such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and a playful imagination, and it provides a vivid portrait of a polymath who was centuries ahead of his time in fields ranging from anatomy to engineering.
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Maggie E. Toplak
Keith E. Stanovich
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This book challenges traditional intelligence tests by providing a measure of rationality that is complementary to IQ. It explores various components of rational thought, including probabilistic reasoning and scientific reasoning, and discusses the implications of such a test for understanding cognitive abilities.
#5
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Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
In this book, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a tour of the mind, explaining how the two systems of thought shape our judgments and decisions.
System 1 is fast, automatic, and emotional, while System 2 is slower, effortful, and logical.
Kahneman discusses the impact of cognitive biases, the difficulties of predicting future happiness, and the effects of overconfidence on corporate strategies.
He offers practical insights into how to guard against mental glitches and how to benefit from slow thinking in both personal and business life.
The book also explores the distinction between the 'experiencing self' and the 'remembering self' and their roles in our perception of happiness.
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The Expectation Effect
How Your Mindset Can Change Your World
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In 'The Expectation Effect', David Robson delves into the cutting-edge science of how our mindset influences every facet of our lives.
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#1
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1984
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
In this episode we explore the placebo effect, the power of expectation, and the cognitive traps that correlate with IQ. Guest David Robson, a mathematician‑turned‑science writer, shares insights on intelligence traps, rationality, and how curiosity fuels breakthroughs.
- 00:00:00 - Introduction
- 00:05:55 - IQ tests measure what exactly?
- 00:08:00 - Various pitfalls of intelligence (IQ traps)
- 00:14:09 - Rationality is not emotionally comforting
- 00:16:51 - Is "truth" the most valuable pursuit? What is "truth"?
- 00:19:10 - Truth can be terrifying
- 00:24:14 - Curiosity is correlated with high IQ
- 00:28:53 - Breakthroughs are born through curiosity
- 00:36:13 - Contradiction is a healthy part of science
- 00:39:20 - The different styles of science
- 00:45:36 - The placebo effect: how "expectation" can overcome genetics
- 00:51:35 - Applying the placebo and expectation effects
- 01:05:51 - Frustration lies at the heart of learning
- 01:13:25 - Cultivating the qualities of a genius in yourself
- 01:18:33 - What is evidence-based wisdom?
- 01:23:42 - A standardized test for wisdom
- 01:31:03 - The relationship between IQ and RQ (rationality quotient)
- 01:33:23 - Ways to supercharge your rationality
- 01:35:48 - The scientific bias
- 01:41:56 - Parapsychological research
- 01:47:51 - What is "functional stupidity"?
- 01:52:39 - Curt finds holes in every argument
- 01:57:13 - Self deception is easy
- 02:00:38 - When high skill damages performance
- 02:04:20 - The best team is smart and disagreeable
- 02:10:44 - The power of a Yogi
- 02:18:20 - Your perceptions change future reality
- 02:20:19 - Ego depletion and the replication crisis
- 02:22:23 - The pilot sight test
- 02:27:16 - Acquiring creativity, productivity, and Savant-ism
SPONSORS:
- Brilliant: 20% off https://brilliant.org/TOE
- New TOE Website (early access to episodes): https://theoriesofeverything.org/
- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
- Crypto: https://tinyurl.com/cryptoTOE
- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast...
- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b9...
- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeveryt...
- 00:00:00 - Introduction
- 00:05:55 - IQ tests measure what exactly?
- 00:08:00 - Various pitfalls of intelligence (IQ traps)
- 00:14:09 - Rationality is not emotionally comforting
- 00:16:51 - Is "truth" the most valuable pursuit? What is "truth"?
- 00:19:10 - Truth can be terrifying
- 00:24:14 - Curiosity is correlated with high IQ
- 00:28:53 - Breakthroughs are born through curiosity
- 00:36:13 - Contradiction is a healthy part of science
- 00:39:20 - The different styles of science
- 00:45:36 - The placebo effect: how "expectation" can overcome genetics
- 00:51:35 - Applying the placebo and expectation effects
- 01:05:51 - Frustration lies at the heart of learning
- 01:13:25 - Cultivating the qualities of a genius in yourself
- 01:18:33 - What is evidence-based wisdom?
- 01:23:42 - A standardized test for wisdom
- 01:31:03 - The relationship between IQ and RQ (rationality quotient)
- 01:33:23 - Ways to supercharge your rationality
- 01:35:48 - The scientific bias
- 01:41:56 - Parapsychological research
- 01:47:51 - What is "functional stupidity"?
- 01:52:39 - Curt finds holes in every argument
- 01:57:13 - Self deception is easy
- 02:00:38 - When high skill damages performance
- 02:04:20 - The best team is smart and disagreeable
- 02:10:44 - The power of a Yogi
- 02:18:20 - Your perceptions change future reality
- 02:20:19 - Ego depletion and the replication crisis
- 02:22:23 - The pilot sight test
- 02:27:16 - Acquiring creativity, productivity, and Savant-ism
SPONSORS:
- Brilliant: 20% off https://brilliant.org/TOE
- New TOE Website (early access to episodes): https://theoriesofeverything.org/
- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
- Crypto: https://tinyurl.com/cryptoTOE
- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast...
- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b9...
- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeveryt...
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