Why "scout mindset" is crucial to good judgment | Julia Galef | TEDxPSU

Julia introduces a metaphor of soldiers and scouts to describe two very different approaches to thinking. To illustrate these two mindsets in action, I tell the story of the Dreyfus Affair: how one man was wrongfully convicted of treason, and how another realized this fact and fought to exonerate him.
Julia Galef co-founded the Center for Applied Rationality, a non-profit devoted to developing cognitive science-based strategies for reasoning and decision making. In addition to research, they run workshops for companies and talented individuals who want to use rationality to help them address global problems. Julia’s background is originally in statistics, and she did social science research at Columbia and Harvard Business Schools for several years before becoming a writer for venues such as Slate, Science, Scientific American, and more. For the last six years, Julia has hosted the Rationally Speaking podcast.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@Trasgu7]

Let's all be scouts. Seek the truth. Question everything, even yourself. Don't let our prejudices close any open doors. Be ready to accept anything, if proven true.

[@dm3402]

Ulfric killed Torygg in fair and legal combat

[@moses777exodus]

A statistical impossibility is defined as “a probability that is so low as to not be worthy of mentioning. Sometimes it is quoted as 1/10^50 although the cutoff is inherently arbitrary. Although not truly impossible the probability is low enough so as to not bear mention in a Rational, Reasonable argument." (*The probability of finding one particular atom out of all of the atoms in the universe has been estimated to be 1/10^80.) The probability of a functional 150 amino acid protein chain forming by chance is 1/10^164. It has been calculated that the probability of DNA forming by chance is 1/10^119,000. The probability of random chance protein-protein linkages in a cell is 1/10^79,000,000,000. Based on just these three cellular components, it would be far more Rational and Reasonable to conclude that the cell was not formed by undirected random natural processes. Note: Abiogenesis Hypothesis posits that undirected random natural processes, i.e. random chance formation, of molecules led to living organisms. Natural selection has no effect on individual atoms and molecules on the micro scale in a prebiotic environment. (*For reference, peptides/proteins can vary in size from 3 amino acid chains to 34,000 amino acid chains. Some scientists consider 300-400 amino acid protein chains to be the average size. There are 42,000,000 protein molecules in just one (1) simple cell, each protein requiring precise assembly. There are approx. 30,000,000,000,000 cells in the human body.)

[@Rambleon444]

Why? : D

[@rudy1380]

100% Buddhism.

[@BrotherBobby-IN]

A very necessary talk for us all. She outlined the scientific mind. And you don't have to study science to have it.

[@opcn18]

Julia Galef is the very best. One of my favorite brains.

[@dipankarm4125]

One of my favourite brains, too.

[@opcn18]

@@dipankarm4125 Excited for her book to come out in two weeks?

[@audioplatform6299]

if you read a number of books day in day out, you will get there too.. I dont see that is from her brain.

[@opcn18]

@@audioplatform6299 that's the "mensa fallacy" Loads of people read as much as she does and don't reach the same place.

[@ClayShentrup]

And at the same time remarkably kind and humble in her dealings with everybody I've ever seen interview her.

[@localrachel]

Great talk. I am a scout naturally and have tweeted this talk. One of my favourite things is to change my opinion on a topic - this is where the growth happens folks!

[@vfc1860]

What gets in the way of the scout mindset is POWER and retaining it. Those who understand the scout mindset are not influenced by power like the masses are.

[@davidbuderim2395]

I've just started listening to Julia's podcast and enjoy them very much - Scout mindset in action.

[@LukeA_55]

Wow! I feel like I just watched a video that explains me "The truth hurts but it helps" is a saying that I've had for a while now, and this video helped me realize why I think that way

[@BrianTomasik]

Great talk, Julia! I like the idea that emotional resistance can be one of the biggest stumbling blocks to thinking clearly about issues. On the other hand, emotional guard rails can also be extremely useful as "bullshit detectors" or signals that something is wrong with a rational argument. It's very non-obvious how to distinguish whether a given instance of emotional resistance to logical argument is irrationality or hard-to-articulate wisdom (or some of both).

[@measureofdoubt]

+Brian Tomasik Yeah, that's a crucial point, which I wholeheartedly endorse, but which often gets lost in my efforts to communicate simply. I do have thoughts on how to tell the difference, albeit imperfectly.

[@richardgates7479]

+Julia Galef A good scout will look at things from different perspectives in order to achieve a most accurate view of a world. The accuracy comes from where the perspectives intersect.

[@cuckoophendula8211]

This is oh so true. I remember years ago once watching some sort of propaganda video talking about particular conspiracy theories. I ended up feeling really angry at the targets the video was directing me towards. Within a few days, I realized that I felt really emotionally manipulated and thought it was a sign that I had to stop to think about it for just a second.

[@daspradeep]

@@richardgates7479 Many times holding conflicting views and leaving things as unknown

[@swirltube]

I found this while having a parallel journey of discovering what we all yearn for & a Bob Dylan song that shows a man mourning his solder mindset. What we all yearn for is safety (preserving life) & fulfillment (protecting life). So if we dig into our emotions & find that fear & anger & desire are all about safety we can discover how we can protect life & be safe & feel safe which fulfills us in the most primal way.

[@thetexaseagle]

Thanks for sharing! "Open minded" can only help your so far to a point; someone said make sure your brain doesn't "fall out" ! There are good people who believe in personal and moral "Boundaries" and certain "Absolutes" in life as important "reference points"! During any navigation it is good to know where the "True North" which does not change is as an important reference point!

[@americandream7517]

My father was such a soldier raising me, it turned myself and my brothers into scouts. My father is very closed minded, “old school” so to speak, where we are very open minded. If a the color is blue, to my father it’s blue. That’s it. Can’t change it. Yet my brothers and I can see how it might have be shade of purple. It’s a great trait to have. When your mind is open, you’re able to take in more information and become smarter. You can learn more because you’re open to learning more when you’re a scout. A soldiers mind is always closed.

[@clb4947]

how old are you? I'm asking cause I have very close minded parents myself, while me and my brothers are the complete opposite of them (just like you guys) - but as we get older we all find ourselves slowly turning into our parents, and having more 'hard stances' in some cases

[@americandream7517]

@@clb4947 that’s interesting. I’m mid thirties . Grandparents were from the depression era and my parents were born in late 40’s early 50’s. So their parents were very hard on them. They were easier on me (to their standards lol).

[@derrickhart7694]

just seeing the video today 1/13/25, but I think the point of the video was missed. The truth is ultimately the truth, facts are facts. It's more about being open to searching for the truth as opposed to searching for the thing that proves what you want truth to be. For me a like the brief, however I believe truth is "absolute" not relative. two different opinions can 1. both be wrong, 2. either 1 is right and the other wrong, but they can never both be right! Truth then becomes relative.

[@williwoo6317]

Wow the audience is really fun and engaging.

[@johnjukes5533]

A great talk that shares the benefits of taking an emotionally balanced perspective. Brilliant work.

[@Alejandro-Te]

The best thing I did lately is coming here to check out what Julia Galef had to say. Even though I was very skeptical at first.I learnt the lesson doubly, today.

[@dr_cyro]

One of the best speakers

[@MotoMarios]

"Avoid the confirmation bias" is what she is basically saying. And a smart piece of advice it is too.

[@HogmanLT]

It's just repacked confirmation bias

[@dodec8449]

@@HogmanLT You can't repack and explain it enough to be honest

[@AicyDC]

Hah, you acting as if you can fit this into a box of "confirmation bias" when it's a more broad concept is an ironic example of confirmation bias

[@MotoMarios]

​@@AicyDC Look up the term "projection", in a psychological context.

[@AicyDC]

@@MotoMarios No. Confirmation bias is just one part of motivated reasoning.

[@FreedomMiso]

I wonder how many "soldiers" here are saying, "Yup. I knew I was a scout."

[@Daeva83B]

I know this video for years.. And i think it's now more important than ever, ideologies, ideas, they spread fast these days..

[@AnexoRialto]

Almost everybody thinks they're being a scout, when they're actually spending a lot of time as soldiers. Motivated reasoning takes less effort and feels better. If it's hard and requires extra effort to think through something, that's the scout trying to get out. "Do your own research" is meaningless if all we search for is evidence to support our beliefs and anything that contradicts those beliefs is "MSM" or "fake news".

[@JohnSmith-sf8ms]

Strongly agree. I have caught myself being the soldier so many times, than being the scout. Is all of humanity doomed to irrationality ?

[@silversilk8438]

@@JohnSmith-sf8ms Probably. I mean, even when faced with the evidence, some people would rather "stay skeptical" as an excuse to deny the obvious conclusions or implications of those conclusions.

[@carterlayton6792]

Sorry to be off topic but does someone know of a tool to get back into an instagram account..? I stupidly lost the password. I would love any assistance you can give me

[@lachlanjosiah4188]

@Carter Layton instablaster =)

[@carterlayton6792]

@Lachlan Josiah I really appreciate your reply. I found the site through google and Im trying it out now. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@nonetamahmoud9192]

Great talking Miss Julia I love your introducing to that story and I have learned from it how we was lost a mindset is scout on account of our emotions, I am so lucky to heard you .

[@OrisStories]

Man, tough crowd. I loved the jokes, great vid!

[@naovayasensoryartmusic786]

maybe too relaxedly curious for the tension release/laughing

[@deepikachauhan8359]

Amazing message👌🏻👌🏻

[@MartinFortKnox]

I need people like her in my life. Phenomonal! (or at least someone to teach me how to properly spell phenomenal.)

[@BlueInk912]

😅🙏

[@jamessutton1053]

This talk has articulated what I’ve been trying to articulate to myself for a while. Excellent talk that many on social media could benefit from understanding. Let’s be scouts. Imagine a Twitter full of scouts...

[@DurvankYewle]

An unexplored perspective! Really good talk!

[@claireoffer1947]

Military maxims like 'time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted' or the fact that the military appreciation structure is a fairly sound match for the thinking your talk espouses suggest you might use a better headline than the soldier mindset, the journalist mindset comes to mind..... In general institutions for whom the downside of failure is death have a decent incentive to learn, be open and grown up, put their egos away and get it right.

[@takethreestudio]

wow wow wow yes!!! great talk.

[@NorkimomikroN]

Awesome talk by Julia! Fascinated by the unengaging and cold public.

[@history6988]

I relate to this more than anything I've ever heard.

[@adpina11]

It's so much more complicated than this simplified talk that it's difficult for me to agree fully. My yearning is for truth and thus I have no qualms if a truth comes to light that alters my belief or understanding. However I will argue vehemently when someone has not looked into the proof and evidence of something and argues against the truth of those things. The way this was presented gave me the impression that a scout does not ever have a soldier mentality and vice versa when in my observations they are often intertwined.

[@marcialabrahantes3369]

Of course it is. Now make your own comprehensive and engaging talk, that could all see, to have a chance to have a say on this.

[@BrowncoatGofAZ]

This is one of the problems we have now. Too many soldiers and not enough scouts.

[@atul.sharma172]

I love her. ♥️

[@catascopic9542]

Wait, this isn't about Team Fortress?

[@AtheistEve]

One issue for me is what we do with information. So, if the evidence is in and capital punishment reduces crime. I'm still likely to oppose it for other reasons that are just as legitimate but based in other factors: you can't unkill someone who is later found to be innocent; it doesn't allow for rehabilitation; it prizes punishment and revenge over mercy. Stuff like that. Then we end up weighing equally valid facts and it then comes down to personal prejudice anyway.

[@gerardvila4685]

If you honestly weigh up the facts, and the facts point unambiguously one way, then your conclusion doesn't depend on your prejudices. It's only when the facts are ambiguous that this happens. For instance scientific questions, where by definition the facts are ambiguous (otherwise they wouldn't be questions) - some scientists have one opinion, others think different, and this normal and expected. Not the same as scientific facts like "the earth is round" where it takes a deliberate effort to believe the contrary.

[@AtheistEve]

@@gerardvila4685 The facts don’t always point unambiguously in one direction. And there can be many subjective reasons why we would still be careful while looking for facts that both prop up and dispute our viewpoints. Over-arching this talk is the goal issue. The goals were being ignored: scout for a way to win a battle; hunt for a spy to win a war; build a ship (probably to fight at sea). Scouting for a means to something is a form of confirmation bias in itself - before scouting a necessary question is: why are we fighting? And then, how can we stop fighting and work for peace?

[@jaxhere1]

A wonderful talk. The challenge is to get more people to have the vision Julia has.

[@daveruddell4889]

I think it's funny how, in her scout slide, she mentions how the scout is grounded, despite the picture showing literally off the ground.

[@stanleyzhang5058]

This video is recommended by my economics teacher.

[@the_feature_selector859]

This mindset would be great for America today.

[@garyjvanhaitsma4980]

Although this is ~2.5 years old, the presentation perfectly describes the state of the current political "discussion" in the USA. Unfortunately, rational thinking is not an antidote to mob mentality.

[@dub8448]

Agreed. Your comment stood out to me because it aged so well. Unfortunately.

[@DanBlackRacing]

There is no "old" of great knowledge.

[@jt9300]

Learn to be proud when we're proven wrong... This is difficult, but the results are worth trying

[@twarrag91]

Just reminded me of the "12 Angry Men" film.

[@steveb0503]

Taqwa Warrag I find it interesting that you brought up that film, it's always been one of. my favorites - even LONG before I became the uber-skeptic that I am today. I guess one could call that "foreshadowing"...

[@samu_lab]

Really nice!

[@vandertuber]

The ANSWER starts at 9:00.

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more why you still doubted me... Vs Think more why I still confident in you

[@LisbethLog]

There is now a 2019 French movie about the Dreyfus affair that Julia talks about: "An Officer and A Spy" (French "J'Accuse"). It's a very well-made film.

[@v01dal]

Interesting stuff from Julia as always.

[@anthonym7377]

we had a whole year to scout the truths about this world bc we were in confinement. keep fighting scouts!

[@EDTalks777]

Hi, Julia - Thanks for this talk, .... who's here for 2022. I really love this talk, helped me open my mind when it comes to judgment.

[@jrcapps24]

timeless wisdom

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more beyond sleeplessly reasoning Vs Think more beyond sleeplessly questioning

[@jamesb2059]

Brilliant. A lesson for our times. So well argued.

[@TerrythePhysicist]

Stated another way - process is more important than outcome. The basic ethos of science.

[@RyanVJones]

Julia’s book “The Scout Mindset” is amazing, she also narrated the audio book

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more as one specific spring evening... Vs Think more as newly grasses height since January

[@rajeshroshan2877]

How fortunate we are to live in times when we do not require the courage and sacrifice of soldiers! Hope that you don't live long enough to need them.

[@leenav9741]

Here is the 1 thing she did wrong. There has been a lot of not to lucrative ted x talks, says recent comments. They are unconvincing, says another KZbinr. Personally, I think they are great and useful in knowledge. Idc if I only get one thing from it. At least I'll sleep knowing I learned something today. The one thing she did wrong is ending, I wish she would speak even more. Other than this small, small, small issue, (Which really isn't an issue) she did amazing! Love it.

[@mauribush88]

Finally I understand why some people choose not to understand from the get go instead going to judgement direct. Humans can't escape their own emotions. And emotions can be very dictatorial. Especially in a mob. It is what it is I guess.

[@michaelkardenetz5987]

So motivated reasoning subconsciously shepherds people into their echo chambers.

[@dejureclaims8214]

God, I LOVE this woman.

[@wisdomfromthecave]

I don't know what it is about her, but she is great a keeping my attention. I think she would be one of those people who would be interesting to have coffee with. In depth conversations and ideas.

[@jaylittle6465]

What she is talking about is so important, I’m willing to make free art or art at a severely discounted rate to further this cause.

[@novahuman5964]

important in 2020... wish more people would watch it

[@ravichanana3148]

Quite a unique and capturing talk.

[@stebarg]

Great Share! Thanks, Julia 🙏🏽

[@twarrag91]

Just reminded me of "12 Angry Men" film.

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more as straight integrity thinking process Vs Think more as straight dignity thinking process

[@fredkruse9444]

They should teach this in school.

[@Mark73]

Fundy parents would scream bloody murder

[@HeduAI]

That was pretty profound ...

[@IDarkCalibur]

what about grindset

[@scandinerdian1961]

I translate the drive behind scout mindset, to ideologies built on want, not obedience or conformity.

[@naturallaw1733]

Thank You. I too have similar questions when it comes to the Mindset of people today and how it affects Beliefs/Behaviors. I think are Educational Systems Fail in helping us develop these capabilities from a younger age so that in adulthood, people would be better prepared to Think Soundly about a variety of issues. Also, as Societies become more Irrational in their thinking, this only exacerbates the problem of Newer generations growing up in them with an educational background that Failed to Teach them why the 'Scout Mindset' is the proper way to understand the world.

[@vp4744]

"...develop these capabilities..." They are not skills you practice, but mindsets for framing the emotions. Such emtional development starts in the home many years before schooling begins. If you think it's a failure, then it's at the home not the school.

[@DAN9RED]

The reality reflect by her speech such a logic and full mind one, thanks.

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think rationalising comments through daily informations... Vs Think rationalising comments through public opinions

[@eliesalaun357]

Great!!! Just a little detail : it’s « Alfred » Dreyfus.

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

Yeah... and Devil's Island is NOT "a barren rock" either! Surrounded by shark infested water... YUP! Filled with venomous centipedes and other creepy crawlies... YUP!

[@allengreg5447]

That's the longest I've listened to a woman speak without hearing the word, "Patriarchy"!

[@silentblackhole]

No offence TEDx, but this belongs at TED.

[@NeuroPulse]

I'ma be real, I have a huge crush.

[@n2bfw884]

I do too. She's got it all.

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more as Good habits intuition me Vs Think not as Supervise studying me, Coaching student me, Tuition student me etc

[@bruno-vicious]

What in the world is up with all these thirsty men in the comments? I love a beautiful woman too but man have some pride!

[@1DangerMouse1]

Brilliant talk. Reading the book now!

[@blanenoel4231]

Gunning !

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more as a person who seekingly seek your every videos... Vs Think more although there's plenty for me to focus on in a day

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more as a person who don't feel shy to you... Vs Think more as freedom me in you

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more being not shy to speak up... Vs Think more didn't last long new good habits as well as old repeatable bad habits

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more being not depend much from others... Vs Think more being not expect much from others either

[@TimDawes]

Wow, that's tremendous., Great story. Great insights.

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more not as 2021 calender Vs Think more as 2022 calender mood

[@جابرالسهرودي]

That was interesting. I was training myself to feel happy my for a while but it doesn't seem to work lol.

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think 📼💎 Vs Think more 🎧💎

[@ahmedmahay]

I love Julia. Beauty and brains epitomised.

[@warpspeed8305]

Odin sacrificed his eye to see world as clearly as he possibly can :-)

[@imu6085]

I think i have the 'scout' mindset more than most of the people i have interact with or observe. still I am not more successful than many of them. it feels like i am competing with people with 'faultier thinking mechanism' in a world with them in big majority and getting beaten at their game too often.

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more why peace exist when a person seek what's rightous... Vs Think instead of chasing what's unrighteous

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more just 9:00AM till 3:00PM Vs Think more just cemented building against the annually upgradation brains

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more beyond mechanical expertise Vs Think more beyond driving expertise

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more as learn/earn with rightous.. Vs Think not as a person who faced the debt

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more till 9:54 AM Vs Think more 🗺️💎

[@skynet4496]

I'm cursed with a scout mindset in a world that values soldiers and "heroes" and finds the truth inconvinient. UGH

[@LukeA_55]

Hey man I feel you, just keep questioning and understanding, I feel like we have this mindset for a reason. I guess all we can hope for is that people listen to us one day and understand the truth themselves

[@nodriveknowitall702]

@@LukeA_55 Be careful. No body fully escapes motivated reasoning.

[@denismorgan9742]

There's normally considered 3 parts to iq academic, smart of mind and emotional intelligence. You can tell me if you think I'm wrong. But one good way to improve your iq is to use the scout mindset. This isn't the only way to get from 'A' to 'B' ie from where you are now to improving your iq.

[@charmedbycharlie]

The truth that she won't admit is that the scout and soldier mindset is not something you can change because you are comparing an outlier to a culture. If you wanted more people to be scouts, then you need to make that the culture.

[@jimnesstarlyngdohnonglait3468]

Think more why being an important image person just make a person to expand unsatisfying in reality... Vs Think more it just multiply multi doubts and multiconfuses