Why do we believe things that aren't true? | Philip Fernbach | TEDxMileHigh

[@ashokvajpeyee8947]

'When contagious understanding is paired with individual ignorance '... Just too good

[@lordemed1]

...and fear

[@martyheresniak5203]

Reported as well.

[@reidmock2165]

"It feels like we're in the midst of an epidemic." This line really hits differently in 2021

[@tommiegreen]

My comment

[@pixel-fan7902]

@@tommiegreen 2:20

[@melvinrexwinkle1510]

The USA is definitely in the middle of a pandemic! About 50 percent of the people have no ability to look around and see what is happening to their future.

[@kirstylyons6328]

The bat flue is the greatest scientific and political fraud in Human history

[@reidmock2165]

@@kirstylyons6328 And geocentrism wasn't? Blood letting? Someone doesn't know their history

[@russellkeating7481]

Two things he mentioned that we need desperately “A culture that values truth” “ intellectual humility “

[@manuelbranco173]

but most of all: "intelligent people with actual brains"

[@grantofat6438]

Which in essence means: Get rid of religious people.

[@russellkeating7481]

@Dreamer 1 thanks for being honest. I’m a little interested in what you took from the talk. It was very interesting. I’m sure it is ego that motivates me to respond so that’s why I think humility is key when looking for the truth. I think that I have to be able to be confident the information is true to believe it , but info is power and power likes to corrupt and control. We all are forced to have belief in things we can not prove ourselves, and I think he mentions it. Rationality really do end up becoming subordinate to something above it , when seeking truth at its deepest level. There is so much manipulation of data and information, everyone has biases for different reasons. ( conscious and unconscious) Being truthful is not a guarantee that what you say is true. Humility gives a person a wider lens. I will have to go back and listen again , if I find time . Take care , It’s just opinion and observation from my perspective and experiences which are still evolving. All the best

[@justforviewing2]

We also need a society that has leaned formal logic so that they know HOW to determine what is true, what is not true, and that what they don't yet know.

[@216Numbskull]

​@@russellkeating7481 If you're still interested in finding alternative answers to what you're looking for on this issue. Check out an (ex-KGB defector) named Yuri Bezmenov if you're not hip to him yet who warned America years ago of the plan Russia started implementing into the American public called "Ideological Subversion" AKA phycological warfare. I'm not saying Russia drove us to the point we're in right now today completely by themselves without any help from others. But, I do feel they played & still play a big part in it, for sure. You'd have to be hard pressed to believe they didn't really seeing the proof is in the pudding right in front of our faces. 🤔 Just saying... ✌️😜🤘

[@sanchezhandymen3444]

This is a great reminder that we all believe what we believe and we all think we are right!

[@Dwightstjohn-fo8ki]

One brother is an artist but sometimes doesn't see what's right in front of him if it's material (bank slips, accounting infor). Another brother is a financial genius, and still is.....after getting rid of two million US in family legacy "kash". I respected information all my life and got a debate scholarship..............but if you can't change someone's mind, what's the use of debate??

[@Michael-ih1it]

I am so amazed about how he literally stayed and stood still on one spot from start to finish. 🤓

[@anonymousjohnson976]

He is a very good speaker.

[@livethemoment5148]

I am amazed at how superficial you are

[@slave2truth4freedom]

Every moment of this video is as good as the last. I loved the moment when he said, "We can build Cathedrals, but we can also build Houses of Cards.", then the silence and the camera panning the audience. Powerful. Given that without the proper context such a statement or shot of a silent pensive audience would be unremarkable. Damn I'm hyped, what an extraordinary talk! So glad I stumbled across this precious gem of a video. Definitely worth sharing and bookmarking to rewatch.

[@kosmique]

yea but this goes for many ted talk guests ... a lot of gems out there...

[@onekerri1]

This would be a first lecture in a college philosophy class. I suggest you hit some educational institutes, so as to be more amazed. I do suggest you watch out for indoctrination, as it runs deep and rampant.

[@officialarchiemo]

But it was aliens that built the pyramids

[@orazha]

I had the same reaction. He put into words thoughts that I kinda had but cannot express. One thing he didn't talk about that I wish someone with knowledge would is our apparent reliance on opinion polls. We're making important decisions based on opinion polls from people who have little to no knowledge of the topic.

[@peterturner6497]

No it is just slush.

[@VultureClone]

"We don't do enough to verify it." He summed it up in one sentence there.

[@jschuler53]

VultureClone Well put1

[@donnyboy2589]

I try not to verify anything that makes me feel good.

[@peNdantry]

Unfortunately, that's exactly what the Flat Earthers use in defence of their beliefs. "Go and do your own research," they all say.

[@tme98]

Problem is now that we do actually try to verify it. But the internet feeds of giving you the same information over and over again. This makes you feel like your worldview is correct, because you’re not given the opposite side unless you actively search it out, which most people dont do.

[@peNdantry]

@@tme98 There's a solution to that: don't use search engines that track you (and thus present you with biased results that keep you in a filter bubble). Try DuckDuckGo, for instance.

[@kermit1234]

"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing." - Socrates

[@Monkeygroover]

and how did he know he knew nothing? Right: his wife told him! :-D

[@raulcarlos1615]

@@Monkeygroover His wife was absolutely right, none of Socrates pupils have ever been called great, unlike Aristotles star pupil, who to history is not known as Alexander the Pretty Good! Lol

[@mauriciovirmond9244]

But if he knows ONE thing, How come he knows nothing????? Another way of asking this would be: If he knows nothing, How come he knows one thing????

[@Monkeygroover]

@@mauriciovirmond9244 it's philosophical, just Like Lao Tzu said in the Tao: 'Those who know don't speak, those who speak don't know ;-)

[@neilcreamer8207]

@@raulcarlos1615 It's seem pretty likely that someone has called Plato great at some point.

[@SSJfraz]

This really hits home for me. It's a problem that is forever growing. Get in an argument with anyone over just about anything and ask them to explain their own rational for arriving to the conclusion that they do and they won't be able to provide one.

[@jsmariani4180]

I believe that you are overgeneralizing.

[@williamspringer9447]

Ever consider why they were never taught to reason properly? Ever wonder why the science of classical logic isn't taught in our State controlled public schools?

[@papadakusb6264]

lol how dare you question the great hive mind!!!!

[@richardfoleyrfi]

Awesome. Very good talk, examining a non-confrontational approach to dealing with public delusions. We need to *check* and verify our positions not simply bolster our opinions.

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

Yeah, I do check my sources. I never go into an "argument" without real backup and not just opinions. And when something new comes at me, I back up and look before replying.

[@Rob337_aka_CancelProof]

Agreed manners are free and a little humility goes a long ways

[@mikelloyd520]

Most folk feel inadequate so want their opinions agreed with. Sadly, this limits learning.

[@marko6489]

@@rickkwitkoski1976 Do you check sources of sources?

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

*Introspection is the greatest quality a human can own.*

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

@Duribethin : Empathy is an ability, not a quality nor even an ideal. But to clarify, I say introspection is the greatest *quality* because it eventually leads us to understanding things such as how compassion is strength, why karma is a reality, and why we cannot take any better care of others than we take of ourselves. Introspection is where our humility and therefore our ability to learn new things comes from. If one is unwilling to look inside, they are unwilling to change, and therefore unwilling to learn anything new. This causes a person to stagnate and continually put up more and more impediments to learning to cover up the fact they are in such great denial. People who refuse to look inward are those who as the video title says: _"believe things that aren't true"._ But I have the impression (perhaps through being somewhat empathic myself) that you probably meant _compassion_ not _empathy_ Empathy is only the ability to sense what others are feeling and does not even imply that they care about anything. That said, I commend you and anyone else who may hold compassion as the best part of humanity. Compassion is the one quality that all heroes, real and fictional, have in common. *Compassion = strength.*

[@sirvapalot]

cannabis has instilled that in me but im a hopeless slacker apparently if your from the hard right

[@saintcyberchaos265]

I totally get what he means I am now also an expert on this topic

[@Biskawow]

I understand everything about this topic

[@soteriology1012]

I will never be an expert on any topic. I am not smart enough. I am only an observer with speculations.

[@DjamelBenFirst]

This comment is like the closing note of the talk it was a smart move from you.

[@sanleeyun1113]

wow I mean, I totally get almost everyone here so you guys must be right. I really am the first Terabyter ever. Don't worry guys this changes nothing, we still be equals. As proof I'll even make you pay fees like everyone else for all that extra Bytes of knowledge Gigabyter's are getting just by hanging around a Terabyter. To show my appreciation I will be freely accepting monthly fees for everyone equally.

[@DJMikeron]

Saint Cyberchaos we would all be silly to believe what you say :))))

[@JimCampbell777]

14:18 - "If we have a culture that values truth, we'll get things right more often than not." Now you know why America gets it wrong so many times.

[@blancaroca8786]

The whole world is exposed to media controlled by god knows who.

[@gaziger007]

I realize I will be in the minority here, but when the money favors a position the majority will take that position. That is what we are dealing with regarding the hoax that CO2 is a pollutant. CO2 is a primary plant food and the concentrations are 1:2500. Think about that for a minute. How much heat do you think 1 molecule in 2500 will bounce back to earth? But the money is calling for a carbon trading scheme which will raise the price of EVERYTHING. Just consider what a temptation that must be for those willing to overlook the data and the facts.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

@ravenhawk007 : You believe you know these things based on what you've been fed by those who stand to make the most money from the continued pollution and destruction of our environment. You are right to follow the money as the reason why some people will do things, but you're putting your faith in those who care for nothing other than *their own* immediate monetary gratification. Just think about that.

[@Edward-qe8xg]

@@gaziger007 Yeah, there is a reason oil companies promote those theories, they are in it for the money. Trust science, not industry.

[@nodrama7636]

We have a young population that doesn't value the truth because it takes effort to get there but we still manage to get things right MOST OF THE TIME.

[@seeker1602]

This explains religion better than anything I've ever heard.

[@GJS234]

I'm afraid you are not aware how superficial your opinion is.

[@martykerns3802]

@@GJS234 I agree with Robert. Please, in the future, do not assault a person for stating an observation without you yourself making a comment that is factual.

[@richardmangan8188]

Religion IS a snare and a racket. But... there is a Creator, the Bible is his Word, and via his Son he will judge this earth.

[@MissAmazanda]

@@richardmangan8188I have to agree after studying the bible for years and what I know about science/the fossil record things couldn't have happened any other way than how the bible says it did, big bang and evolution is the belief of a madman, too much in the bible lines up with what we see in our world today

[@greg8938]

Yeah let’s believe some illiterate and superstitious goat herders who, over 2000 years ago, had a higher level of understanding of our world and universe than we do today. I don't believe God would want you to be that naive. You have been given free will, please use it to educate yourself.

[@JohnCamacho]

"We can't eradicate false beliefs". Correct. What we can do is minimize them: 1. Take away religion's unearned privilege of being a taboo topic 2. The beliefs we do have...examine our reasons. What would drop our confidence level? 3. Listen to those with opposing beliefs. What are their reasons? You can learn from them and vice versa 4. Stop being afraid of being wrong

[@livi6440]

👍you got it

[@MikelSyn]

particularly with no. 2: For every belief that you have, come up with 3 hypothetical facts that, if true, would render that belief untrue.

[@JohnCamacho]

@DrFruedienslipJr 1. "There are no false beliefs" 2. "...all beliefs are false unless proven" Elaborate on your contradictory statement please

[@A2Z1Two3]

DrFruedienslipJr There is no such thing as ‘proof’ . How many ‘proven’ scientific facts have later been ‘proven’ to be wrong ? All we have is the latest best guess that we have ‘ proven’ with experiment that appears ( for now) to confirm our latest best guess.

[@slave2truth4freedom]

​@@A2Z1Two3 People frequently misuse the terms 'proof' or 'proven', but that doesn't mean the idea behind the terms is fallible. That's like saying seat belts don't save any lives because someone was wearing one and still died. Though, I agree with your sentiment that the people going around saying, "seat belts are guaranteed to save your life in an accident", are doing harm and are a problem. There are many things science has proven and remain as proof of the way the world around us works. Of course it is in the nature of science for hypotheses to be wrong. So when people, usually scientifically illiterate, try to 'participate' in the growing culture of science, let's say on a talk a show, they make common mistakes using parts of the language of science saying, "so and so from whatever university 'proved' X and so [insert wild speculations and personally derived conspiracy theories of ostentatious nature here]". Even if the talk show represented the study fairly saying this study showed evidence for x or a correlation between y and z, it is likely a good portion of their audience would misinterpret the information. General scientific literacy/illiteracy (not to be confused with 'belief in science' or accepting science as a valid lens through which to view the world) is an underlying theme and the great polarizing agent of our time I believe.

[@norbertthomas6603]

Now that I've listened to him explaining this, I understand it completely.

[@duanebidoux6087]

The speaker is good and he makes valuable points. However, just as the world is complex the question of why people believe untrue things is much more complicated than he has let on. But I want to focus on his point that the average brain has about one gigabyte of data, and that is not a lot-with which I agree. But let’s not pretend that all gigabytes are equal. A gigabyte of information concerning the last 20 years of Reality Television shows is not equal to a gigabyte of data when the comparative gigabyte consists of data on how to think about the world in ways that support reality. I have a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and a Master of Science in quantitative systems modeling. I probably read a thousand books with hundreds of thousands of discreet bits of information adding up to far more than a gig and chances are that the details and memorized data is gone forever and only a gigabyte remains. But the worldview, the thinking tools, the systems of thoughts learned are not gone. I studied, in depth, the archaeology of the six pristine civilizations and studied thousands of archaeological remnants that led to the understanding that the rise of monotheistic religions always corresponded with the needs of societies for large scale agricultural organization and infrastructure. That single bit of understanding may only take up several “bytes”-but the lens it gave me through which to view the world gives me added insight that changes how I perceive every waking moment. I took astronomy, simply as an elective science course on a topic that interested me. In that course we studied not only empirical data on planetary motion and the empirical evidence supporting current models but even the history of the original thinkers who gave us this knowledge. We did calculations predicting lunar and solar eclipses which were born out by prediction. 99% of this original knowledge is forgotten (no way could I now remember those equations). But the conviction that the Earth is spherical remains in me and with it a high and I believe justified level of confidence in the conclusion. The speaker is reluctant to criticize people who believe patently absurd things and tells us that it is just part of what it means to be a human being. Perhaps. But it doesn’t have to be so, and this needs to be made crystal clear if we are to win the battle against ignorance. It is the only way to move into a better future instead of re-trenching into a world of ignorance and superstition, and thus ultimately more death, suffering, and pain.

[@pdp977]

I think it's worse than you think: I know how much an 8 x 10-inch image at 300dpi will take in storage as a BMP. I also "know" how much the same image will take as a JPG (quotes due to degradation of the image as more compression is applied). I have no idea how efficient the storage of the brain is and how it compares to a hard drive. So 1GB of storage is meaningless without some idea of the efficiency of the storage. I suspect (from what I do know) that the brain is very efficient in storing information - this is what leads to memories being distorted. When we remember something we actually reconstruct it from its constituent parts, which are distributed where it's convenient. Unfortunately, similar memory chunks can become conflated, so you and your Mom remember a wedding very differently. No-one is lying: I went to three weddings one summer, all with the same groups of guests. The only one I can separate out is the one hosted in a London Italian restaurant - the other two were largely in the countryside and I had very little interest in them anyway.

[@duanebidoux6087]

@@pdp977 And I think these specific kinds of examples (misremembering the color of the dress my wife wore on our 5th wedding anniversary night out, etc.) ARE things all humans are very vulnerable to. But believing the Earth is flat? To me that's different and we are much less vulnerable to that when we have the fundamental thinking skills all education should deliver.

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

Very well expressed. Unfortunately education systems are designed to produce complaint workers not people capable of critical analysis. Political system have now learned to exploit this by encouraging divisions in society. How this will ever be fixed is beyond me.

[@Leoo117]

@Vaunnie Thayer You summed it up nicely. The speaker mentioned humility at the end though, which is basically the answer to most issues. People have this sense of pride or ego, and don't want to admit they are wrong, because they associate pain or feelings of stupidity with being wrong. Some people were raised since childhood to believe something, and if they are proven wrong, it scares them to believe that what they've been taught their whole life might be wrong. Most people will do more to avoid pain, than they will to gain pleasure. So they rationalize like you said. Or just plain ignore in some cases, or look for others to validate them. If people were humble, they would be ok with being wrong, or not knowing everything, which then opens up the possibility of understanding the truth to things. Sadly, this world does not teach humility. It's also true that a humble person tends to be happier.

[@boltaurelius376]

Learning formatted your drive, bro

[@glennelliott7009]

Love it. Wish you mentioned the few that do look up facts. I never been confident in talking about stuff I don't know. I like facts before i speak.

[@Dwightstjohn-fo8ki]

It took hours and day to "glean" facts back in Univ. half a century ago. Now? We're buried in so much BS it's great to have a good BS filter, but we have no time!!

[@livethemoment5148]

how are you sure that what you "look up" are indeed facts? you see...you are part of the problem

[@MichaelLevine-n6y]

This seems to be one of the points in the presentation. How does one know if what is being offered as a fact, is indeed factual.

[@markleyg]

I always get my science from Rappers. For music, I go elsewhere.

[@aleleeinnaleleeinn9110]

ROFLMAO.

[@ComicGladiator]

No matter how high in elevation you are...rap always sounds terrible...sorry cadets...I didn't wanna believe it either.

[@TpoJioJio47]

I hope your life is good for you

[@LD-qj2te]

markleyg great line ! I love it ... you could go on all day with that one.... rappers have more free time to think about these things... since the don’t spend By time on music ...

[@RichardBlumbergAckermann]

Good one... hahaha

[@treborironwolfe978]

Phillip, this may very well be the most personally all-inclusive enlightening and reinforcing presentation I have found to date. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing more of your talks in the future.

[@tomrhodes1629]

Very insightful video, indeed. And your comment informs me that you would probably enjoy my KZbin video on this same topic, entitled "Why Do People Believe Lies." An entirely different angle, chock full of insight.....

[@williamspringer9447]

Do you like being gas lighted? Ever wonder why they don't teach us the science of classical logic in our State controlled public schools?

[@Vivivofi]

@@tomrhodes1629 transhumanism

[@caldoyle1572]

"You will never learn anything if everyone you talk to agrees with you." An opposing valid viewpoint can open our mind and give us opportunities to evaluate our own, if we are willing, to let them. Arrogance often prevents that from happening.

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

No, it doesn't!

[@nicomal]

@@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry Yes, it does

[@veravero80]

I agree

[@dadikkedude]

Well it's not arrogance, people have certain world views constructed for themselves where people feel comfortable. If that view is challenged it is scary, so we tend to resist, because it is a bigger challenge to be open to things whilst staying within your comfort. I'm not saying going out of the comfort zone is what we should avoid, but you can't just go ahead and believe anything everywhere neither.

[@jacobduncan8875]

It is a good thing to have opposing opinions but if one's opinion is ridiculous and contradicts what reality says because they live in their own little world where everything they say is true then that's a different story.

[@gaelstrarai]

After the past 5 years, I really needed to hear this. Thank you.

[@vivilonrane1330]

why 5?

[@patcomerford5596]

Over 50 years ago i was told by a teacher that understanding is not synonymous with faith'. It was a respectful effort by the teacher to deal with his frustration of attempting to answer my 'why' type questions for which he had no answers to. As I fast approach my graduation to being an 'old man' I now consider that people resort to faithing or believing when they do not understand. This faithing is an attempt to address the failure to understand and is also a response in the absence of actual knowledge/information. The unfortunate outcome of this believing is that the resultant beliefs are treated as 'facts', which in turn become dogma. This dogma is codified as canonical and must not be questioned. So to believe or to engage in faithing requires the person to suspend or pause for a lifetime their natural tendency for curiosity and questioning. It is the rationale and framework of all religions. So I adopted this proverb as my personal understanding: 'Ubi dubium ibi libertas', translated as: 'where there is doubt there is freedom'.

[@pauldiani]

Although he has a point , this will surely be abused by the "my ignorance equals your knowledge" brigade .

[@treich1234]

or my ignorance is smarter than your ignorance

[@NiKoNethe]

Hmm... Is that not a praise for his vast knowledge though? Surely anyone’s ignorance is by definition infinite.

[@Smitty65721]

Right. The problem is that smart folks are not listened to in the right ratio. That leads to a very slow, arduous, slog toward improvement. What is required is for each of us to have humility that others might be more intelligent than we are, and to seek out those folks and learn from them.......on any subject.

[@billyjoejimbob75]

I don't know what you people are talking about, but I know you're wrong. (:

[@livi6440]

Ya, what’s up with that brigade? They scoff at the learned and declare they know just as much, if not more.

[@gerudobombshell]

Amazing TED talk! Thanks for re-envigorating my skepticism! Keep up the great work

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

* thumbs up* I could have written what you did.

[@angrytedtalks]

I used to think I was wrong, but then I realised that thinking I was wrong meant I was actually right.

[@billkeon880]

Which is why it’s valuable to rely on the overwhelming consensus of experts who’ve spent years or decades learning something. They may be very occasionally wrong, but they are more credible more often than those without that expertise. It’s also why it’s easy to be a faux skeptic

[@Economics21st]

I used to agree. Now I'm not convinced. For a start, how do you even know how to identify an expert, rather than someone posing as an expert? You'd have to become an expert yourself. Having spent a long time (over 13 years) studying economics with an open mind, I can say with confidence that many people presented as economic experts in the media really aren't.

[@williamspringer9447]

Every big money criminal court trial has "experts" who give diametrically opposed testimony , wile looking at exactly the same evidence. Experts need to get paid like everyone else. Ever wonder why they don't teach the science of classical logic in our State controlled public schools?

[@billkeon880]

@@williamspringer9447 the legal system in most countries incl US is what's called an 'adversarial' system ... so of course there will be diametrically opposed points of view, by definition. You should fire your lawyer if they don't. Your statement is empty. As far as teaching ANY formal logic or philosophy in high school.... they don't do this anywhere I know of. They should teach logic and critical thinking but instead under the right drum-beat over the decade of teaching the basic 3 R's reading-writing-rithmatic to survive daily life, or to prep for college teaching Biology, chem, physics, english, history. Teaching logic is left for university, which is where I took it.

[@williamspringer9447]

@@billkeon880 If you think that armies of experts lying under oath in court for money is an empty example of how unreliable expert testimony is , you don't have any understanding of the science of classical logic. But perhaps you're just being disingenuous? And the fact that the science of classical logic isn't taught in our State controlled public schools is an obvious profound threat to our democratic processes. Read The Underground History of American Education by John Gatto.

[@G_Demolished]

This is about science though. ​@@Economics21st

[@wildfire60]

The word humility means being teachable. The key to dealing with our own natural ignorance is to remain humble.

[@dmichael100]

Very underrated Ted Talk. This explains much of my observations regarding my own beliefs at times and especially those around me.

[@donaldolin4616]

Advertising depends on false beliefs. And it is very profitable.

[@kosmique]

this right here... typically a comment like this won't even have a handful of likes. cause people just dont get it.

[@johnreuter4916]

I would expand that to "marketing". A lot of BS is promoted by various lie factories because it makes somebody money.

[@markfoster1520]

@@johnreuter4916 How much are they paying you to say that!? (& Who are "they?")

[@paullanoue5228]

Public Relations firms remake the culture. People believe what we eat and when we eat it came about by a public consensus. Wrong these basic behaviors are propaganda created by Public Relations firms. They sculpt the culture. We walk through the maze they created and think we make our own decisions.

[@AGDinCA]

11:05 - "And when contagious understanding is paired with individual ignorance, it can be a toxic recipe." 14:56 - "... practice a little more intellectual humility." This... this is good. 👍

[@KrwiomoczBogurodzicy]

I think it's good too. Reminds me of something Karl Popper wrote: “It might be well for all of us to remember that, while differing widely in the various little bits we know, in our infinite ignorance we are all equal.” - Karl Popper “True ignorance* is not the absence of knowledge, but the refusal to acquire it.” - Karl Popper “Ignorance* is not a simple lack of knowledge but an active aversion to knowledge, the refusal to know, issuing from cowardice, pride, or laziness of mind.” - Karl Popper *Psychologists now use the term “motivated ignorance”, sometimes called “willful ignorance”

[@AGDinCA]

@@KrwiomoczBogurodzicy Ignorance is an active aversion to knowledge... such an important distinction to make! _Active_ aversion...

[@mikehess4494]

If you personally can't prove something have the maturity to keep it to yourself...

[@pennyo6868]

Mike Hess, Yeah, I agree. Ignorance is contagious. Don't contaminate others with false notions.

[@miked9000]

Memory is a strange beast. I have played guitar for about 30 years, and despite the fact that i rarely know off the top of my head what the date is, i know about three birthdays of the 30 or so people close to me, cant give any detail of most of my life, yet somebody can name almost any relatively popular song written between the early 60's to modern times, i can play it almost note for note. Not to mention the many hundreds of not so popular songs that i have listened to through my life. My family and friends call me the human juke box, and also say i have the worst memory of anybody they know. Always seemed strange to me.

[@leejacobus5305]

Mike D sounds compartmentalized. Almost as savant.

[@dribrom]

It's not that strange. We have two types of memories, short term memory and long term memory. Our short term memory is really bad. The average person can only remember 4 things that was just sad or shown to him or her. For the brain to store things from the short term memory into the long term memory two things have to happen. First of all repetioson and secondly you subconsciously have to find the information important. If we know that we can easily just access the information through the internet for an example we tend to forget it. "We don't attempt to store information in our own memory to the same degree that we used to, because we know that the internet knows everything... ...One could speculate that this extends to personal memories, as constantly looking at the world through the lens of our smartphone camera may result in us trusting our smartphones to store our memories for us. This way, we pay less attention to life itself and become worse at remembering events from our own lives." - Dr. Maria Wimber, University of Birmingham Just think about how many phone numbers you used to know by heart as a kid for an example and now I wonder if you even remember your own phone number because we have all numbers stored in the phone.

[@Leoo117]

You are just emotionally anchored to what you have a passion for, so you effortlessly remember those things, because you enjoy them so much. The date for example, isn't super important to you.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

We remember best what we treasure most.

[@debbiehenri7170]

I'm a gardener and have the same ability with plant names. I can remember many hundreds, probably thousands (never counted). I can also recognise many plants from seedlings - that is, from the seed leaves themselves, not the first true leaves. My hubby is the same with engines. I have walked into his workshop to see an entire tractor, lawnmower, car or motorbike in hundreds of pieces, bits scattered all over the floor. It's my idea of a lost cause, but he puts them back together again easy as anything. Neither of us can understand how the other is able to do what he or she does. But it's all down to having a special enthusiasm for our particular subjects, other stuff takes second place - and so birthdays, etc get forgotten.

[@Egooist.]

Talking about "an epidemic of false belief", I'm (a little) disappointed that he didn't go after religion. But I guess he wanted to get his point across to as many people as possible, thus he tried to "repel" as few people as possible. "They [religions] can't all be true, but they can all be false."

[@markmarsh27]

"Everything Great we do as human beings depends on this ability to share knowledge and to collaborate." Philip Fernbach should be remembered FOREVER for that profound statement.

[@Rob337_aka_CancelProof]

Thank you for your efforts it's good to know somebody else out there sees our biggest problem as clearly as I do and is also working to find a solution that said the solution won't be solved in any kind of a meaningful way until the majority see it also (and ideally 100% but wishful thinking is not an adequate substitute for realistic expectations)

[@williamspringer9447]

They should start teaching the science of classical logic in our State controlled public schools. But that would make us harder to lie to. The Underground History of American Education by John Gatto

[@franco8752]

im not sure you got his point

[@Rob337_aka_CancelProof]

@@franco8752 you could be right because I don't really remember a whole lot of this talk and like most days I'm sure I was distracted by things coming no one is prepared for. I am concerned with all kinds of things and don't have the inverted priorities that most share but for sure I know nobody's paying any attention to the important things that they should be.... but they will be soon because they will have no other choice

[@wesleycolemanmusic]

I see a few people in the comment section, who watched the video, talking about how people learn the majority of what they know never being able explain why they know it. Then I see those same people attacking another group based on an opposing belief. Look, I get it. I'm guilty of it too. Let's try to give eachother in the comments some respect. Even if you KNOW that their belief is beyond a shadow of a doubt flat out (you've studied the specific topic for twenty years) wrong... PLEASE do yourself a favor and stop and see what they can add to YOUR community of thought. :) Thank you, Wes

[@jschuler53]

Wesley Coleman I like the way you think. Opening your mind is difficult, but what greatness if we do.

[@chrisgraham2904]

I am sick of being told to respect people who have beliefs that I don't respect.

[@wesleycolemanmusic]

@@chrisgraham2904 "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle It's important to learn both sides of an argument to their fullest extent. Before then, you are just living in an echo chamber. As the old saying goes, "Beware the sound of one hand clapping." This means if you only hear one side of an argument, you will never get the full picture. What's worse, you may be living in errency. As for your main gripe. Respecting people with ideas you don't respect is the foundation for open mindedness. If you can't separate the person your talking to from their beliefs, there's no hope of changing their mind -- much less of you changing your own. If you truly believe they're misguided, you will learn their ideas to the best of your ability so you may discern where the fallacy lies in the foundation of their presuppositions. By doing this you may find that you change your mind. The beautiful thing about learning is that you're only wrong if you continue to associate with false belief. Learning is about growth, and there's no better way to grow then respecting other's pursuing truth. This cannot be done, however, with your current state of mind. I wish you well on your path to truth. Good day, Wes

[@chrisgraham2904]

@@wesleycolemanmusic When people are told to respect other peoples beliefs, they are being told to shut up and don't question their beliefs. I have to understand your belief before I can disrespect your belief. It's ok to "rock the boat".

[@wesleycolemanmusic]

@@chrisgraham2904 I never said you need to respect other's "beliefs", rather, you should learn their beliefs and respect others. However, by learning other's beliefs, you may find that you have a greater respect for their beliefs or even change your mind. I find either of those chance occurrences far outweigh the price of educating yourself on opposing ideas. You certainly don't need to understand a belief before you disrespect it. Indeed, disrespecting others for their beliefs is a sign of arrogance. And disrespecting other's beliefs is a sign that you don't value conversation and the pursuit of knowledge. No one has told anyone here to 'shut up'. In fact, only you have come close to this with your unwillingness to engage with people who think differently than you. There is a time for rocking the boat, but it should never be when you encounter someone with respect for others -- regardless of their beliefs. I appreciate your passion, but I believe it's misguided. Good day, Wes

[@planner812]

My fist day in a college philosophy class This was the lecture

[@hyweltthomas]

Ah yes, I remember fist days, very painful if memory serves.

[@cutl00senc]

Never underestimate the power of stupidity in large numbers….

[@Rob337_aka_CancelProof]

Since you brought up globalism (not directly but you did) I couldn't resist the opportunity to share something that I used to see very differently... No matter what you think all the positive outcomes of globalism could be because I used to embrace the idea myself consider that globalism is synonymous with consolidation of power and potentially very bad for Liberty and freedom and power should be dispersed into as many hands as possible because Liberty and freedom are so important and I have yet to see a way to eliminate the potential for corruption from the human Condition

[@williamspringer9447]

Great comment. And they should teach the science of classical logic in our State controlled public schools.

[@WTH1812]

"When contagious understanding is paired with individual ignorance it can be a toxic recipe." This is the foundation of 'aggressive stupidity', the refusal to accept new or different beliefs in the face of easily demonstrable evidence to the contrary and in spite of a complete lack of such evidence to support the belief currently held. ... Unfortunately, the echo chambers of social media and partisan politics completely disprove his final point that we can improve the quality of our discourse by understanding just how much of what we believe depends on those around us. The tribal nature of society pushes us all towards an 'Us versus Them' mentality. As a result the contagious understanding of individual ignorance is enhanced not ameliorated by algorithms and our own active choices that select for what we already believe, reinforcing ourselves with a virtual community that validates our point of view and excludes evidence to the contrary.

[@Ansatz66]

Despite all that pushes us to overconfident beliefs, people also have the intellect to recognize their own ignorance. We can never be rid of our biases, but we have the capacity to think about our biases and recognize them and compensate for them. We don't need to be slaves to our biases. We can escape the us-versus-them mentality if we try, and especially if we help others to see the wisdom of knowing nothing.

[@WTH1812]

@@Ansatz66 ...Two paths lay ahead, one of struggle and toil, the other of ease and comfort. Rail against the masses or follow the crowd. Which path would most people choose to make their way through life? ... While (some) people have the intelligence to recognize their own ignorance, the aggressive stupidity of the masses is revealed again and again by their own self- destructive choices. Anti-vaxxers spreading COVID and measles, people voting against their own self-interests to vote the Party line, fire fighters and police met at gunpoint by people who refuse to evacuate ahead of willdfires...

[@p.bamygdala2139]

Him: “We can’t eliminate false beliefs” Me: Challenge accepted. I’m working on it. And so should others.

[@LumenCache]

Reminds me of AHP decision making tool. It allows you to assign priorities comparing features of the two options, but the final decision is based on weighting by informed experts. So basically, you can have your feelings satisfied, but rationalized by a large body of knowledge and experience from many experts in that field. This technique only reduces the worst bad decision offenders. If we want to improve the choices then that's another process.

[@williamspringer9447]

We are at the mercy of experts who are bought and paid for. That's why the science of classical logic isn't taught in our State controlled public schools.

[@numberpirate]

As a society we need to start using scientific words correctly. If someone comes up with an idea of how to explain something they have a hypothesis, not a theory. A theory is essentially a set of facts that can be explained by a tested, non-negated hypothesis. This is why we have the theory of gravity, theory of physics(from which the globe model of earth comes from, as well as direct observation), theory of evolution (evangelicals go die) etc etc.

[@AlizaWeller]

Important message. Needs a follow-up talk to go one step further to address decision-making and how to (1) protect what works in the face of strategic manipulation, and (2) act with urgency on issues that are serious (like climate change and the sixth mass extinction), where those in power have a vested interest in thwarting decision making by manufacturing false controversy to confuse and divide the public. Yes the acknowledgment of our “built-in feature” of ignorance is a great first step. Next, let’s discuss how to collectively recognize and respond to manipulation, and I’d love a discussion on the question: does the electoral system in the US “work” in the face of our built-in ignorance? What about other systems, like Switzerland’s council of 7 presidents? Also: some of us consider an every-vote-counts model as an antidote to the brokenness of the US system...how would this model stand up to our individuated ignorance?

[@Booga-tz8kj]

In general the scientific process does pretty well on the first point. The second is a bigger problem, I an still amazed that we got CFCs banned but that would probably be worth studying

[@robertwhite1810]

Key is to not "believe" anything. Accept certain propositions provisionally and always be prepared to change your perceptions as new evidence is revealed. It's the only rational position to take.

[@mrsteele1781]

One of the best TEDx talks I've seen. Sad it has under a million views...

[@johnlinden7398]

I LIKE PHILIP AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE DOMMUNICATES @ SIMPLE, COHERENT, ENLIGHTENED FACTS ABOUT OURSELVES AND OUR NEED TO SHARE A WIDENING PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN TO BRING ABOUT A COHESIVE, UNITED AND ENLIGHTENED WORLD CIVILIZATION !

[@karlhadley7993]

One of the best Ted Talks video's I've seen. Really made me think about my own biases.

[@missesangry]

Yes! I wish this man was in my circle! I have so many questions!

[@runningwithscissors7715]

rise up my trapezoid earth brothers!

[@johnlaughlin2750]

Life drawing

[@rockradstone]

Dodecahedron. Now and forever! 🤪

[@serotta09]

Many people hold true beliefs and it's not by accident or luck. Beliefs can be formed correctly with openness, skepticism, critical thinking ability, time, effort, and humility. Only about 5% of people are willing to do this but that doesn't mean it's impossible.

[@judithmaesen]

I choose to believe what helps me to be kind. Therefor what I believe can change all the time. I feel which thought and action is helpfull for the greater good at that moment. Often it is to listen and love.

[@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869]

I would love to sit and have a challenging conversation with this guy.

[@0soloony]

This guy is preaching a new religion and there are many more like him out there. I say keep it up because the old ones do not work any more.

[@chrisgraham2904]

He's not preaching a new religion, but he is providing a pretty good explanation as to why religions exist.

[@michaelemonds]

An excellent lecture. Dispells the myth of the 'self-made person' as well.

[@richardcheek2432]

Not really. Wecan know that the Earth revolves around the sun because of the relative masses. The center of our Earth-Sun orbital is within the Sun, a little off center but so small we cannot really measure how far off center it is. The same is true for planets and their moons. The gravity of both affect each other proportionately. There are people who are obsessive and search for objective Truth that comes from an independent perspective. We call it 'High Functioning Autism'.

[@kylepatrickmccrary2781]

I just really like that he changes the quote to say "who," instead of "that."

[@enniocufino2413]

The speaker makes very well the point of aknowledging that we most often are not able to ecactly explain facts that are true, neither we need to have this ability in order to make intelligent choices in our lives. He repeats this concept many times. But I feelt the need of an explanation on which the effective ways would be to take advantage of other people good work (the work to add and consolidate peaces of useful knowledge that confirms true facts and refuses fake facts). I refer, for example, to the simple and accesible reasonings that can help us to decide which are the good sources of information and which are the bad ones.

[@Lolleka]

Thinking is a social process. Damn, this is a powerful takeaway.

[@LanaCat44]

I am sad to say that it begins at the time you are shoved into groups of your peers. The educators are taught to teach certain information. We all act like robots and believe everything we are told and taught. When does this begin, it begins with childcare. Before that, it begins within the family or carer's environment. It never stops. It moves to mainstream media and most will never have their own original thought. The ones that want to learn or believe something different are ridiculed or bullied and often stay in the little cocoon and regurgitate the same of those around them. The ones that don't are the trailblazers and being left alone heightens their creativity and produce new ways of thinking and doing.

[@sharolynk414]

•_• personally I don’t think it’s something to be sad about.

[@sfr2107]

I agree. I wish there was more flexibility there

[@hackerhesays731]

love these ted talks,defintely open my mind to a world and beauty of life , i otherwise wouldnt know about. thank you

[@AMentorway4u]

Good job on something we will never all agree on, but it has gotten us out of the caves. If all beliefs are false, and if false beliefs are truth, its a wonder we made it this far. Millions upon Millions of people have died believing in false ideas programmed into the collective. A noble and tragic position to be thrust into. However you decide to intellectualize it, most people are still striving for peace, love and happiness. How we get there is the story of humanity.

[@Yourmom-tc4rn]

The answer has been around a long time: "It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere" Voltaire

[@Danimal1965]

Being able to recite specifics of something learned after-the-fact does not mean we didn't obtain, consider and rely upon detailed information and evidence when first learning and forming a belief.

[@kosmique]

this dude just put youtube comment sections in a nutshell. lmao

[@awakeamericanow]

I listened intently but the one thing I was expecting was never mentioned. Namely the scientific fact that we all have three separate portions in our brains which regulate discrete activities. Categorized as the thinking, the emotional and the body-brain. Sometimes operating independently, sometimes coordinating, controlling our overall behavior. We tend mistakenly to believe that our behavior is logical and rational. If so, how come that more than half the population of America believe that at a certain point in time a certain person at a wedding turned water into wine? That's when the emotional brain overrides the thinking brain. If a person is suddenly frightened the results can be asudden emptying of the bowels and bladder. That's the body brain taking control.

[@BannorPhil]

IMO the problem is that when we want to get more information about (for example) quantum physics, most people ask their neighbors. The people who actually care about whether what they believe is grounded in reality get this information from experts in the field of quantum physics.

[@williamspringer9447]

Yeah, all of the experts say that man walked on the Moon, but none have any solid evidence that it ever happened.

[@niteshpoonia6454]

Wow, just what an amazing explanation to such a complex issue. This really puts things into perspective.

[@paulwoolnough3770]

There are 3 types of people on this planet. Those who can count and those who can`t.

[@rakeshvlogs6567]

“Don’t make trees rare, keep them with care.” "रूखहरुलाई दुर्लभ नबनाउनुहोस्, तिनीहरूलाई सुरक्षित गर्नुहोस्।"

[@AndyCampbellMusic]

The truth, is independent of perception. It doesn't care whether you believe it or not or how you feel about it... That's what makes it truth and not opinion...

[@decidrophob]

Taking this video as commonsense once it is shared among us, the really hard question, which used to be taken for granted, is how we reach true beliefs when necessary -- like global earth instead of flat earth -- despite the minimal memory we have. Information literacy and media literacy are, I think, most important and basic skills we should all have today.

[@mvolestrangler]

I like how the targeted advert I got before this video was about improving your immune systems by concentrating!

[@tashhashimi9483]

I want to see more of those experiments with that cute kid! 😂

[@platoscavealum902]

6:09 … kid, experiment

[@AgonTheFirst]

Understanding is contagious.

[@alvindimes4729]

That was fascinating, but I'll keep an open mind and retain a little sceptisium.

[@Rob337_aka_CancelProof]

I guess I'm real lucky before my father left when I was five he had me thoroughly convinced I was the dumbest person in the room no matter which room I was in so for the first 25 years of my life I always new everyone else was smarter than I am and work really hard to try to catch up but any time there was a conflict between my understanding and someone else's I didn't defend mine I figured it was probably wrong and considered the others as being of more value which wasn't really ideal as neither extreme is healthy but I always consider I could be wrong and I always consider the other could be right and both of those mindsets help when it comes to seeing and understanding all perspectives which is as close as we could ever hope to come to an absolute truth or shared reality

[@williamspringer9447]

If I'm ever on trial i want you on my jury ;) Did you know that the science of classical logic hasn't been taught in our State controlled public schools for more than a century .

[@PapaOsmubal.OscarBalajadia]

‘We built cathedrals, but we can also build houses of cards.’ Beautiful analogy to human knowledge and understanding.

[@petertone1616]

2:21- 2:52 is more a message louder and clearer nowadays more than ever.

[@brettbair2654]

Great job. He mentioned feelings, and when it comes to religious beliefs the emotional tie to fiction will trump truth. (that is something you don't see together, trump and truth)

[@EuropeanQoheleth]

You're lumping in all religion with fideism. I don't know how many times I've seen internet atheists do this.

[@pablosteelio9462]

@@EuropeanQoheleth is an internet atheist someone who doesn't believe in the internet?

[@haniffrazri6023]

Now the internet has deepfake.. i dont know what can we trusted anymore.. lol

[@martinmorrissey5647]

A great talk, I think what he says explains why we tend to think that everyone who came before us were dumber than we are and that simply is not true.

[@LeeCarlson]

I understand enough to justify believing all three of Mr. Fernbach's arguments about why people think "fake news." Am I such an anomaly? Or have I taken advantage of the first two technological leaps in "off-site storage?" The first was the written word and the ability to record information. The second was the introduction of Gutenberg's press, which made the mass distribution of knowledge possible.

[@einarhornraiser9019]

Good gravy! Only 110k views? This is a shamefully underrated video!

[@chrisgraham2904]

672K views today. It's getting better.

[@jeffxanders3990]

Good food for thought. Fear goes to belief. Express your point of view. This offers food for thought and contributes to understanding. Attitude is the answer to all things and balance is key. Our magnelectric nature is making itself known. Namaste 😊

[@matthewsan6197]

This is one very very insightful video. Simple yet complex as the human mind is, it is an enigma! Ignorance seams a built in feature of humanity but our ability to collaborate gives us a ray of hope for survival, at least short term. War, pollution and AI may in the end be our downfall as a species.

[@williamspringer9447]

Yeah, believe the experts and do what you're told. Very insightful. Ever wondered why the science of classical logic isn't taught in our State controlled public schools?

[@queunlimited4779]

"Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear".

[@haniffrazri6023]

Que Unlimited isn’t that mean you don’t believe your soul?

[@eyescandeceive]

@@haniffrazri6023 it's a quote from an old song

[@dexter4350]

I saw forrest Gump shake JFK's hand, now I believe" Be Lie" nothing I see and nothing I hear. Your actions speak louder than your woods. . .

[@anonymousjohnson976]

Que: What about believing what we read?

[@queunlimited4779]

@@anonymousjohnson976... refer back to my post. 😁

[@sophitsa79]

He's talking about memory, knowledge, insight and understanding as of they're all the same, when they're really not. He's also failed to include in his model the importance of emotion and salience in all of those cognitive processes. He does present interesting points, they just have their limitations.

[@williamspringer9447]

He forgot to mention that the science of classical logic is not taught in our state controlled public schools for a good reason.

[@witwisniewski2280]

We don't just share knowledge between people, we share it over time by storing it. For that to work, we must be as sure as possible that what we store is true, and then we can later trust it to be true. Our nation is unraveling because we are losing the trust.

[@li9366]

Brilliant, good prospective. We humans have a very little understanding of this world and universe, what we think we know is temporary believe that changes with new knowledge. You're right sometimes different options can clash, I think expressing a believe should be taken as an option/ prodpective not much more than that.

[@williamspringer9447]

Juries reason through evidence to the point proof beyond a reasonable doubt every day in this country. Ever wonder why the science of classical logic isn't taught in our State controlled public schools.

[@li9366]

Not sure about your inquiry. But, I believe that logic, and critical thinking are person paths that individuals can self-develope . often trough experiencing life and having a mental flexibility, ability to use info and facts objectively, framing all with context. It's also important to have the willingness to be right or wrong, without feeling personally attacked when things are not allinead with ones views.

[@williamspringer9447]

@@li9366 The science of logic was invented by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C.. Were you ever taught the science of classical logic in high school? 'Logic: The science that investigates the principles governing correct or reliable inference.' -Webster's Unabridged Encyclopedic Dictionary 'infer ... v. ,1. To derive by reasoning; conclude or judge from premises or evidence ...' -Webster's Unabridged Encyclopedic Dictionary 'For logic is the science of those principles, laws, and methods which the mind of man in its thinking must follow for the accurate and secure attainment of truth." -Celestine N. Bittle, "The Science of Correct Thinking: Logic"

[@SteveSmekar-ll6ln]

So how is the actual truth determined? Scientists are fallible and certainly skew statistics. How do I know this is true?> I am a scientist.

[@livi6440]

Bad Scientist☝️Steve!

[@livi6440]

fassbinder werner yes and don't forget peer review.

[@jbw6823]

Thats why we need extra confirmation by multiple people and multiple lines of evidence (physicist)

[@EdwardThimbleHands]

I'm not sure if he is religious or was trying to not offend anyone, but how did he not say the word *religion* once? The one thing that until a few decades ago 95%+ people thought was real without any verified evidence and not once is that specifically covered. That's just unforgivable. Yes, I know others have said religion and creationism already, but I wanted to be more detailed.

[@TanveerAhmed10]

what exactly are you expecting from him to say about religion? (try answering this without offending other people's personal beliefs)

[@Tony07UK]

Also, he didn't mention 'evolution'.

[@phillipmcneely8384]

@@TanveerAhmed10 Even if the speech doesn't make specific comments about religion, it would still have made sense to cite religion as an example at some point during the speech. What was the topic of the speech? "Why do we believe things that aren't true?" Well, religions are all about believing things that aren't true. Right? ..... Oh, oh, oh, excuse me! I meant to say all religions except your religion. My bad.

[@EdwardThimbleHands]

@Truth I'll address your points in order so it is easier to understand. You don't know me and your reply isn't based on what I've said thus far, so branding me as simple is prejudiced at best, and likely because you disagree with me. Instead of having an open discussion you've started with name-calling. How utterly childish and unnecessary. I've never conflated religion and a deity, but I'll make it clear just for you: we have no proof of any deity and your opinion that we were created has no evidence to backup that claim. Religion, like the way we perceive reality, is a construct. The idea of a deity has no innate function, but religion gives it a function and most people take advantage of that to control others. I'm assuming you've never had deeply existential thoughts or gotten outside of your box that believing something without evidence has put you in. There are explanations grounded in reality, I hope you're brave enough to look into them and maybe say "I don't know" when it comes to the big questions. Answering those questions with "a deity did it" is the epitome of simplification.

[@rogerstone3068]

@@EdwardThimbleHands Maybe 'simple' was a compliment? I'd take it as such.

[@yulee9990]

The reason we simplify complex thin so our small memory unit can remember... We may then elevate this simplicity to belief (law of physics) when prove it works or explain well with a lot of things.

[@jackselvia2709]

In the hope of making them true, because, after all, compassion, mercy, love, and peace can only be real if we MAKE them so.

[@HolgerJakobs]

The flat earth society has members all around the globe. ;-)

[@timothysmith5769]

If a rapper (or a fast food worker) believes the earth is flat, I'm OK with it. But, if a NASA employee believes the earth is flat, I'm gonna be really concerned.

[@raquelDRS5936]

Ok You have a good point

[@wittwittwer1043]

The reason that many people believe things that aren't true is summed up in the acronym: TASBEM: There's A Sucker Born Every Minute.

[@joelcross1355]

How you define the truth is so often determined by what you WANT to believe and your politics (and what your told.)

[@acspirit]

There is a thin line between the the education of life, and the experience of it. It's often the education of it, that misleads many from the experience of it.

[@vincea2996]

A KZbin video that people working at KZbin need to watch lol.

[@rasmokey4]

IQ curve shows that 50% of all people have an IQ under 100. Then there is the Dunning Krueger effect!

[@quattordicimontenapoleone3113]

That's because 100 is set to be average. 100 is based on data collected to estimate the average individual.

[@dozog]

@@jamescollier3 The entire scale isn't that precise. Besides that, the answer depends on whether you draw the curve as a continuous curve, or as a discrete (histogram) curve. If you draw a discrete histogram, the "bin" that represents people with IQ=100, will contain more people than any other individual "bin". As a result, the sum of people in all lower bins will be less than 49%. If you draw it as a continuous curve, then the virtual bin-width nears zero, meaning there is not a single individual at exactly IQ=100, but exactly 50% of people will be captured in the entire area on the left of IQ=100.

[@TeaParty1776]

THat 50% seems to be meeting here...

[@TeaParty1776]

@@jamescollier3 Its a joke: 50% of under-100IQ people meeting here.

[@ofdrumsandchords]

Against stupidity, even the gods are powerless.