

662: Daniel J. Levitin | How to Think Critically in the Post-Truth Era
32 snips May 5, 2022
Daniel J. Levitin, a cognitive psychologist and author of "Weaponized Lies," delves into the nuances of critical thinking in a world rife with misinformation. He emphasizes the crucial traits for effective decision-making and explores why even intelligent individuals fall prey to faulty reasoning. Levitin unpacks the myths surrounding vaccines and discusses the dangerous pitfalls of misinterpreting data. With a dash of humor, he illustrates the difference between correlation and causation, urging listeners to refine their analytical skills in today's complex informational landscape.
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Humility in Critical Thinking
- Be humble and open-minded to avoid misinformation.
- Overconfidence can lead to flawed decisions and disasters.
Overconfidence Leads to Disasters
- Some people put jet engines on cars without considering steering.
- Overconfidence contributed to disasters like the Challenger explosion.
Critical Thinking Is Hard
- Critical thinking is difficult; our brains aren't designed for modern data.
- Recognize that thinking is hard and practice critical thinking.