Shankar Vedantam

Shankar Vedantam, a journalist and the host of Hidden Brain, explores the unexpected benefits of self-deception in his latest book, Useful Delusions. He argues that our brains' ability to filter reality enhances relationships and supports empathy, even amid modern chaos. Shankar discusses the evolutionary roots of self-deception, its adaptive role in parenting, and when it becomes harmful. He provides insights on how understanding our own delusions can foster compassion towards others and improve communication, especially in challenging situations like vaccine hesitancy.