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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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.
Stan Culture Mirrors Teen Parent Shock
- Montell compares celebrity stan dynamics to adolescent parent worship and subsequent disappointment.
- She explains parasocial relationships lack in‑person empathy, so dethronement becomes vicious online.
Proportionality Bias Explains Conspiracies
- Proportionality bias makes us assume big events need big causes and fuels both conspiracy theories and manifestation beliefs.
- Montell frames manifestation as a positive‑sounding conspiracy rooted in the same bias.