Why do we believe things that aren't true? | Philip Fernbach | TEDxMileHigh
TEDx Talks・2 minutes read
Rapper B.o.B claims Earth is flat, sparking debate with Neil deGrasse Tyson, highlighting false beliefs and limited human knowledge. Knowledge sharing is key to achievements, but access to information can also lead to the spread of misinformation, emphasizing the importance of intellectual humility.
Insights
- False beliefs, such as the notion of a flat Earth, persist throughout history, challenging established scientific facts.
- Intellectual humility is vital in acknowledging the limitations of human knowledge and the impact of shared beliefs on individual perspectives.
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Recent questions
What did rapper B.o.B claim about the Earth?
The Earth is flat.
How long has the flat Earth society existed?
Since the 1800s.
What did psychologist Thomas Landauer estimate about human knowledge?
Individuals possess a knowledge base of 1 gigabyte.
How does human thinking rely on collaboration?
Human thinking is a social process.
Why is intellectual humility important in discourse?
Intellectual humility improves discourse.
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Summary
00:00
"Flat Earth Beliefs and Human Knowledge"
- Rapper B.o.B caused a stir by claiming the Earth is flat, leading to a Twitter exchange with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
- A flat Earth society exists since the 1800s, opposing the idea of a spherical Earth.
- False beliefs are common among humans, demonstrated by the rise of fake news and science denial.
- Human knowledge is limited, with individuals unable to justify most of their beliefs.
- Psychologist Thomas Landauer estimated that individuals possess a knowledge base of 1 gigabyte.
- Human thinking is a social process, relying on collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- The ability to share knowledge allows humans to achieve great feats like building cathedrals.
- Access to information can create a false sense of understanding, leading to the spread of false beliefs.
- Intellectual humility is crucial to improving discourse and recognizing the influence of shared knowledge on beliefs.
