Thinking and Understanding

When belief is driven by emotional appeal rather than careful examination, our understanding of truth is an illusion.

People are drawn to emotionally compelling or entertaining ideas because spectacle is a stronger drive than accuracy.

Simplification makes ideas more engaging but also strips away nuance and distorts truth.

Interesting ideas are repeated more often, meaning engagement not accuracy determines what we come to believe.

Repetition increases belief

An availability cascade occurs when you are repeatedly exposed to an idea and you begin to believe that it’s true, even though it may not be.