The Next Big Idea MAGICAL OVERTHINKING: Why Modern Life Is Making Us More Irrational
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Apr 11, 2024 Explore the impact of cognitive biases in modern society, from online interactions to conspiracy theories. Learn about 'The Age of Magical Overthinking' and how irrationality is heightened by societal changes. Discover how cognitive biases shape our perception of truth and the importance of distinguishing between accurate information and misleading narratives.
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Modern Magical Thinking Defined
- Magical thinking means believing internal thoughts can affect external events to reclaim agency during unpredictability.
- Amanda Montell calls the clash between ancient cognitive shortcuts and the information age "magical overthinking."
Free Éclair Causal Story
- Montell recounts getting a free éclair and immediately crediting it to letting someone merge in traffic.
- She uses this to show how humans invent causal stories to make life feel orderly.
Why Irrationality Is Growing Now
- Information overload, loneliness, and perfectionist capitalism amplify our stone‑age biases into modern irrationality.
- Montell argues these cultural conditions make magical overthinking more pernicious today.