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Matthew Tedone's avatar

Very well done. Good explanation of the psychology behind the illusion of truth. Yes, good hard and independent investigation and review of an issue from several viewpoints and from a distance help shed the ignorance.

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Ana Anselma's avatar

Thank you for taking time to gather these points.

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man of aran's avatar

I recognize some of these tendencies in myself, such as avoiding the pain involved in reading something that might make me change my mind versus the pleasure I take in something that confirms my beliefs. I'm not too bad at admitting I'm wrong about something, but it needs to come in small doses or in particularities. Anything more requires the time and leisure to contemplate a change. In fact, I would say another factor would be the lack of time most people have to even begin to process a challenge to what they already believe. And even then, they have to be capable of such a process. Not all people are. Of course, overturning a world view would be pretty hard for anyone. That's the stuff of memoirs.

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Benjamin Gill's avatar

One of my favourite books on this topic:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/522525.Mistakes_Were_Made_but_Not_by_Me

I'd argue, the problem isn't why we believe lies in the first place. Most knowledge is not obtained from first principals but is instead conveyed by trusted sources, collective wisdom, and other methods that which are inherently vulnerable to all the sorts of psychological and sociological traps you just outlined. As such, placing emphasis on avoiding lies relies on a level of discernment attainable only by self-delusion.

The only modest antidote I can think of is intellectual humility and a healthy degree of skepticism. In short, you don't know. You're fairly certain. You believe. All the best evidence even possibly suggests, but you don't know. And they don't either. By all means, live life based on your 98% certainties but cultivate the remaining room for that modest sense of self-doubt and further discovery.

As an excellent example of a thing people know(the vast majority of learned nurses, doctors and other experts on the human animal among them), but don't really : https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/time-to-redefine-normal-body-temperature-2020031319173

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Ken Smith's avatar

I don't disagree with most of the statements in the essay but I prefer to look alittle deeper.

Here is an article with some references that should be looked at closely:

https://substack.com/home/post/p-144325137

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Kreigh Rasikas's avatar

Good Read thank you. Someday I’ll get subscribed just like someday I’ll get your book (that one is done) someday pick a gated narrative lie oh I dunno the vexxine for one and dissect it out how we should approach criticism and curiousity to that, a suggestion and regards 😌

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Yuri Bezmenov's avatar

Great summary. Social consensus and tribalism are fueled by MSM, academia, and big tech which all have hard left biases. Improving your information diet is critical to better mental and physical health: https://yuribezmenov.substack.com/p/substack-info-diet-tips-unplug-from-matrix

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Steersman's avatar

Not sure why I should subscribe if you don't listen or even acknowledge what I say ...

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Kiwiwriter47's avatar

Well, Hitler and Goebbels had it right when they wrote about the "Grossenluge." It catapulted them to power and European conquest.

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