Modern Wisdom
#548 - Tim Harford - Why Is Thinking Clearly So Difficult?
Nov 5, 2022
Tim Harford, an economist and journalist known for his evidence-based storytelling, dives into the intricacies of clear thinking in a world overloaded with information. He discusses the surprising cognitive biases that skew our judgment, illustrated with historical blunders like Arthur Conan Doyle's fairy photos. The conversation highlights the fine line between belief and skepticism in public discourse, as well as the influence of social media on our perceptions of reality. Harford also explores how economic incentives shape human behavior, particularly regarding relationships and parenthood.
01:12:22
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Quick takeaways
- Recognize biases in experts, beware of excessive skepticism, and understand limitations of expertise.
- Pausing to assess truthfulness reduces retweeting inaccurate content, emphasizing preferences' impact on social media behavior.
Deep dives
Experts and Biases
People rely on experts for information but may struggle to recognize their biases. The podcast highlights how individuals can fall into the trap of excessive skepticism and motivated reasoning when consuming information. The discussion delves into the challenges experts face when moving beyond their specific areas of expertise and the significance of recognizing the limitations of expertise.
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