You Are Not So Smart

Moira Dillon, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at NYU, dives into how our physical world shapes our abstract thinking. She discusses fascinating links between cognitive development and artistic expression, revealing how children prioritize objects in their drawings. The conversation also explores the evolution of perspective in art, the cognitive challenges of portraying 3D experiences, and how mathematical training enhances learning in children. Dillon emphasizes the intertwined nature of cognition, communication, and cultural influences in understanding art.

Our guest in this episode of the You Are Not So Smart Podcast is Dave Levitan, a science journalist with a new book titled: Not a Scientist: how politicians mistake, misrepresent, and utterly mangle science.In the book, Levitan takes us through 12 repeating patterns that politicians fall into when they mistake, misrepresent, and mangle science. Some are nefarious and intentional, some are based on ignorance, and some are just part of the normal business of politicians managing their public image or trying to appeal to their base.--- • Show Notes: www.youarenotsosmart.com-- • Parcast: Natural Disasters-- • Squarespace: www.squarespace.com CODE: SOSMARTPatreon: http://patreon.com/youarenotsosmart

In this episode, we sit down with negotiation expert Misha Glouberman who explains how to talk to people about things -- that is, how to avoid the pitfalls associated with debate when two or more people attempt to come to an agreement that will be mutually beneficial.- Show notes at: www.youarenotsosmart.com- Become a patron at: www.patreon.com/youarenotsosmartSPONSORS• The Great Courses: www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/smart• Squarespace: www.squarespace.com/sosmartPatreon: http://patreon.com/youarenotsosmart

Psychologist David Luevari discusses prevalence-induced concept change and concept creep. They explore how our understanding and definition of problems can shift as we make progress. The hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing progress and overcoming biases in perception and decision-making.

On this episode, we welcome journalist Kate Leaver to talk about her new book The Friendship Cure in which she explores the crippling, damaging, life-threatening impact of loneliness and the severe mental health impacts of living a life disconnected from a support network of close contacts. But...there is a cure...learning how to connect with others and curate better friendships.In the interview we talk about loneliness, how to make friends, the difference between male and female friendship, platonic friendships, friends with benefits and lots, lots, more.Patreon: http://patreon.com/youarenotsosmart

Join psychologist Steven Rogelberg, an expert in organizational science and author of 'The Surprising Science of Meetings', as he unpacks the true nature of meetings. He argues that meetings can be productive and enjoyable if approached correctly. Discover how to reframe their structure to boost teamwork and creativity. Rogelberg offers insights on using scientific principles to transform meeting dynamics, including the power of seating arrangements and the benefits of shorter, focused discussions for enhancing engagement.

In this episode we welcome Yale psychologist Laurie Santos who discusses her new podcast, The Happiness Lab which explores how wrong and misguided we can be when we pursue the things we think will make us happy or avoid the things that we think will make us sad.Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale - the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history - The Happiness Lab is a tour of the latest scientific research into what does and does not make us happy.- Show notes at: www.youarenotsosmart.com- Become a patron at: www.patreon.com/youarenotsosmartPatreon: http://patreon.com/youarenotsosmart

In this episode we sit down with psychology legend Richard Petty to discuss the Elaboration Likelihood Model, a theory he developed with psychologist John Cacioppo in the 1980s that unified the study of attitude change and persuasion and has since become one of the most robust models for explaining how and why some messages change people’s minds, some don’t, and what makes some stick and others fade in influence over time.- Show notes at: www.youarenotsosmart.com- Become a patron at: www.patreon.com/youarenotsosmartSPONSORS• The Great Courses: Free month at www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/smart• Squarespace: Use the offer code SOSMART at www.squarespace.com for 10 percent off your first purchase.Patreon: http://patreon.com/youarenotsosmart

Join neuroscientist Dr. Jud Brewer, Director of Research at Brown University’s Mindfulness Center, as he delves into the science of bad habits. He discusses how dopamine influences our cravings and the importance of mindfulness in overcoming them. Dr. Brewer explores the intricate relationship between instinctual reactions and conscious choices, challenging traditional views on willpower. He also highlights innovative mindfulness apps that help transform behaviors, emphasizing the impact of technology on our habits and overall mental health.

In Lori Gottlieb's new book, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, she opens with a quote from James Baldwin that reads, "Nothing is more desirable than to be released from an affliction, but nothing is more frightening than to be divested of a crutch."In this episode, we talk about therapy, how it works, the misconceptions around it, and how people go from resisting change to embracing the behaviors required to alter their own thoughts and feelings when stuck in destructive, unhealthy loops. You'll also learn the difference between idiot compassion and wise compassion.-- Show Notes at: youarenotsosmart.com ---- Become a patron at: www.patreon.com/youarenotsosmart --Patreon: http://patreon.com/youarenotsosmart