New Books in Psychology Daniel Kahneman’s Forgotten Legacy: Investigating Exxon-Funded Psychological Research
Aug 9, 2024
Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel laureate in psychology, and Cass Sunstein, a prominent legal scholar, dive into the controversial aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. They explore the intersection of behavioral economics and legal decisions, revealing how Exxon funded research to portray jurors as irrational. The conversation highlights the profound effects of cognitive biases on public policy and accountability in environmental disasters, alongside stories of local community resilience and transformation within the Alaskan fishing heritage.
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Kahneman's Exxon-Funded Research Influence
- Daniel Kahneman, known for studying human irrationality, did research funded by Exxon after the Valdez spill.
- This research influenced public policy and perceptions regarding environmental disasters and juror rationality.
Ricky Ott's Fishing Survival Story
- Ricky Ott left academia to become a commercial fisherwoman in Alaska, facing dangerous conditions.
- She survived a near capsizing by cutting her fishing net, gaining respect from local fishermen.
Spokesperson for Spill Impact
- Ricky Ott became a spokesperson for fishermen after the Exxon Valdez spill.
- She gave talks with a magnetic critter board illustrating how oil affects the food chain and put the community on alert.