Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content #155 - Mental Models
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Apr 29, 2019 
Shane Parrish, host of The Knowledge Project and founder of Farnam Street, shares insights on mental models that shape our decision-making. He discusses cognitive biases and the importance of long-term thinking. Parrish emphasizes the need for integrating diverse knowledge to enhance understanding and problem-solving. The conversation also touches on the ethical complexities of thought experiments, like those surrounding torture and genetic modifications. Finally, they explore the impact of relationships on well-being and the dangers of digital echo chambers.
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Limits of Understanding Biases
- Knowledge of cognitive biases explains errors retrospectively but does little to prevent them.
- Decision-making skills are situation-specific, relying on relevant mental models and experience.
Smarter Minds Rationalize Biases
- The smarter you are, the better you get at rationalizing poor decisions.
- Ego protection unconsciously drives reasoning over outcome optimization.
Delay Decisions for Clarity
- Avoid making decisions impulsively; take time to reflect and consider different perspectives.
- Walk around a problem mentally to view it from multiple angles before deciding.
