False Idols category archive
An Exercise in Futility 0
Robert K. Vischer imagines that one can speak rationally to those who have abandoned rationality.
About That Algorithm 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Nir Eyal explains why persons stay buried in their phones, even as they step off the curb in front of passing cars, or, indeed, drive one of said passing cars. He identities four factors designed into “social” media and messaging applications to keep you “engaged.”
Here’s the summary (emphasis added):
- People have become attached to their devices because devices facilitate social connection and because they’re engineered to capture attention.
- Products that lead to habit formation often involve four steps: a trigger, an action, variable rewards, and investment.
- Understanding how people interact with their devices can lead to better iterations of technological products in the future.
Follow the link for a detailed discussion of how “social” media sucks you in.
“But No Other Answer Fits the Facts” 0
Nika Kabiri explores what persons fall for and hold on to conspiracy theories. She identifies three factors:
- First, conspiratorial thinking may have psychological roots that need to be addressed first. Recent research from Emory University suggests people prone to conspiratorial ideation have low social self-esteem and exhibit signs of narcissism, among other traits. . . .
- Second, underneath all conspiracy theories are coherent ideologies, a master world-view in which conspiracies are normative (rather than unusual). This worldview is so compelling that a believer can espouse two inconsistent conspiracy theories at the same time, as long as each aligns with this underlying ideology. . . .
- Third, all people resist new evidence that challenges their beliefs to varying degrees. Confirmation bias leads all of us to do online research using keyword searches that are bound to serve up what we want to see. . .
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Follow the link for a more detailed discussion of each, as well as her thoughts on how to combat conspiratorial thinking.
“There Can Be No Other Explanation” 0
In a fascinating post at Psychology Today Blogs, Ewan Morrison explores the attractiveness and possible psychological benefits of conspiracy theories to those who hold them by looking at his own father’s experience. (Note that the particular conspiracy theory that Morrison uses as a springboard for his article predates “social” media and has nothing to do with QAnon.)
A snippet:
I commend the entire piece to your attention.
Craven Images 0
Franklin Graham renders unto Caesar.
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, William A. Haseltine muses about whether there is value in publicly debating something that is clearly false. He starts by discussing why he turned down the opportunity to debate a scientist affiliated with the Trump administration about “herd immunity” and COVID-19. Here’s a bit from the opening of his article:
While some may have jumped at the opportunity to publicly debate the merits of the approach, I declined the invitation—I do not believe in giving credence to false ideas.
He goes on to question whether holding a civil debate about something known to be false may serve perversely to dignify and perpetuate the falsehood. As we are inundated with batches of botnets, troops of trolls, and a proliferation of professional propagandists emitting endless streams of excrement into the disinformation superhighway, methinks his article is worth a read.
Hoist on the Elmer Gantry 0
How the mighty have Falwelled.
In related news, psychologist David Ley is an optimist. Here’s a bit of his article:
Perhaps. Maybe. Not likely.
Hypocrisy is the stock in trade of publicly pious poseurs.
The Disinformation Super Highway Goes Viral 0
Dr. Alison Eschalante discusses a study that proves that it is indeed important to consider the source. Here’s a snippet (emphasis added):
And, methinks, not just about COVID-19 . . . .
Follow the link for some examples from our society of stupid.
The Disinformation Superhighway 0
Sara Gorman and Jack Gorman explore why misinformation and outright falsehoods spread so widely and rapidly. After naming several common factors, they go on to suggests that some persons are willfully gullible:
The entire piece is worth the five minutes it will take for you to read it.
“B-B-But No Other Explanation Makes Sense” 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, David Ludden explores recent research as to the varied reasons why some persons adhere to conspiracy theories that are plainly absurd in the light of pesky things like “facts,” “knowledge,” and “logic.” Here’s one element he cites; follow the link for the full discussion.
The Art of the Con 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, David Kyle Johnson explores “the Galileo gambit,” which enables charlatans to con themselves and others into thinking they are onto something. A snippet:
“In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.”
(snip)
The Galileo Gambit engages in many mistakes, but the main one is this: it’s a faulty analogy. The fact that two persons have one thing in common does not mean that they have everything in common—or even, another thing in common. Yes, the authorities thought Galileo was wrong, and they also think that you are wrong—but the fact that he turned out to be right doesn’t mean that you are.
“But It’s S-S-So Obvious!” 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Don A. Moore makes a strong case that common sense isn’t.
