Honestly with Bari Weiss Steven Pinker: Why Smart People Believe Stupid Things
59 snips
Jun 18, 2024 
In this engaging conversation, Steven Pinker, a prominent cognitive psychologist and author, unpacks why even intelligent people can fall for misinformation. He explores the psychology of belief systems, the evolution of human thought, and the impact of conspiracy theories. Pinker discusses the clash between Enlightenment ideals and modern authoritarianism, as well as the dual-edged nature of technology in society. He emphasizes the need for balanced media portrayals and the importance of maintaining a hopeful outlook amidst contemporary challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Why We Believe Stupid Things
- People hold inaccurate beliefs about abstract topics with no impact on daily life.
- The default human tendency is to embrace the best story, not necessarily the truth.
Misinformation Trends
- Whether misinformation is worse now than before is unknown, social media's impact is unclear.
- Research on letters to the editor pre-2010 showed no increase in conspiracy theories.
Anti-Semitism's Persistence
- Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories persist due to Jews being a dispersed minority.
- Their perceived influence relative to their population size makes them targets.
