80,000 Hours Podcast

#180 – Hugo Mercier on why gullibility and misinformation are overrated

120 snips
Feb 21, 2024
Hugo Mercier, a cognitive scientist from the CNRS and author of "Not Born Yesterday," shares his insights on human gullibility and the misconception surrounding misinformation. He argues that people have evolved reasoning skills that promote beneficial communication rather than blind trust. The discussion covers how social context influences belief updates, the psychological dynamics of trust, and the potential impacts of AI on misinformation. Mercier challenges the prevalent view that gullibility and disinformation are major threats, emphasizing the perceptiveness of ordinary individuals.
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INSIGHT

Evolution of Communication

  • Communication benefits both sender and receiver.
  • If communication is not beneficial, it won't evolve, like cave animals losing sight.
INSIGHT

Discernment and Communication

  • Discernment is crucial for communication to exist.
  • Without discernment, receivers would ignore messages, hindering communication's development.
ANECDOTE

Honest Signaling

  • Gazelles stot to signal fitness to predators, demonstrating honest signaling.
  • However, communication lacks between mother and fetus due to conflicting incentives and no honest signaling.
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