You Are Not So Smart

4.5 (1.7K)
SCIENCE
UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

You Are Not So Smart is a show about psychology that celebrates science and self delusion. In each episode, we explore what we've learned so far about reasoning, biases, judgments, and decision-making.

3D AGO

317 - Don't Talk About Politics - Sarah Stein Lubrano

Sarah Stein Lubrano tells us about her new book, Don't Talk About Politics, which urges us not to lose hope or become frozen in frustration when it comes to polarization and faulty discourse because the good news is that we don't just know, scientifically, why the marketplace of ideas is currently failing us, we know how, scientifically, we can do better. Sarah Stein Lubrano's Website Don't Talk About Politics Motivated Numeracy Paper How Minds Change David McRaney’s Twitter YANSS Twitter Show Notes Newsletter Patreon

1h 10m
JUN 23

316 - Cultures of Growth - Mary C. Murphy (rebroadcast)

In this episode we welcome psychologist Mary C. Murphy, author of Cultures of Growth, who tells us how to create institutions, businesses, and other groups of humans that can better support collaboration, innovation, performance, and wellbeing. We also learn how, even if you know all about the growth mindset, the latest research suggests you not may not be creating a culture of growth despite what feels like your best efforts to do so. Mary Murphy’s Website Cultures of Growth Carol Dweck at Google Paper: A Culture of Genius How Minds Change David McRaney’s Twitter YANSS Twitter Show Notes Newsletter Patreon

1h 8m
JUN 9

315 - May Contain Lies - Alex Edmans

Alex Edmans, a professor of finance at London Business School, tells us how to avoid the Ladder of Misinference by examining how narratives, statistics, and articles can mislead, especially when they align with our preconceived notions and confirm what we believe is true, assume is true, and wish were true. Alex Edmans May Contain Lies What to Test in a Post Trust World How Minds Change David McRaney’s Twitter David McRaney’s BlueSky YANSS Twitter YANSS Facebook Newsletter Kitted Patreon

40 min
MAY 26

314 - Fluke - Brian Klaas (rebroadcast)

In this episode we sit down with Brian Klaas, author of Fluke, and get into the existential lessons and grander meaning for a life well-lived (once one finally accepts the power and influence of randomness, chaos, and chance). In addition, we learn not to fall prey to proportionality bias - the tendency for human brains to assume big, historical, or massively impactful events must have had big causes and/or complex machinations underlying their grand outcomes. It’s one of the cognitive biases that most contributes to conspiratorial thinking and grand conspiracy theories, one that leads to an assumption that there must be something more going on when big, often unlikely, events make the evening news. Yet, as Brian explains, events big and small are often the result of random inputs in complex systems interacting in ways that are difficult to predict. Previous Episodes Brian Klaas Fluke How Minds Change David McRaney’s Twitter David McRaney’s BlueSky YANSS Twitter YANSS Facebook Newsletter Kitted Patreon

54 min
MAY 12

313 - The 3.5 Percent Rule - Erica Chenoweth

If you want to overthrow a dictator, resist an authoritarian regime, or create a movement that can change the national status quo, you don't need half the country, you only need 3.5 percent of the population to join – but there are some caveats, and Erica Chenoweth whose research led to the discovery of the 3.5 Percent Rule, explains them to us in this episode. Previous Episodes Erica Chenoweth's Website Why Civil Resistance Works (the paper) Why Civil Resistance Works (the book) The TED Talk The Q&A How Minds Change David McRaney’s Twitter David McRaney's BlueSky YANSS Twitter YANSS Facebook Newsletter Patreon

59 min
APR 28

312 - Chaos and Complexity - Neil Theise (rebroadcast)

Professor Neil Theise, the author of Notes on Complexity, provides an introduction to the science of how complex systems behave – from cells to human beings, to ecosystems, the known universe, and beyond – and we explore if Ian Malcolm was right when he told us in Jurassic Park that "Life, um, finds a way." Previous Episodes Neil Theise's Website Notes on Complexity Conway's Game of Life The Santa Fe Institute Technosphere How Minds Change David McRaney’s Twitter YANSS Twitter Newsletter Patreon

1 hr
APR 14

311 - Cascades of Change - Greg Satell (rebroadcast)

In this episode we sit down with Greg Satell, a communication expert whose book, Cascades, details how rapid, widespread change can sweep across groups of people big and small, and how understanding the psychological mechanisms at play in such moments can help anyone looking to create change in a family, institution, or even nation, prepare for the inevitable resistance they will face. • Special Offer From Greg Satell • Greg Satell's Website • Greg Satell's Blog • Greg Satell's Twitter • Newsletter • How Minds Change • David McRaney’s Twitter • Kitted • YANSS Twitter • Show Notes

1h 7m
MAR 31

310 - Align Your Mind - Britt Frank

Therapist, teacher, speaker, and trauma specialist Britt Frank tells us all about her new book, Align Your Mind, an all-access pass to understanding, befriending, and leading the multiple voices within yourself. Grounded in the latest research on Parts Work and Internal Family Systems, and offering proven techniques from Frank’s clinical practice and personal challenges, this engaging guide is a user manual to your own mind—and presents a road map for finding peace, confidence, and a deeper understanding of who you truly are. Previous Episodes Britt Frank’s Practice Align Your Mind Website Britt Frank’s Instagram How Minds Change Newsletter David McRaney’s Twitter David McRaney's Bluesky YANSS Twitter

1h 13m

See All (314)

David McRaney

Host

4.5

out of 5

1,684 Ratings

Can’t recommend More Highly

Jun 16

Moshe b Abraham

David McRaney is a genius. Even better, he’s a humble genius who asks great questions toward the goal of making us all wiser.
Great podcast

Mar 23

Kaiser Soso

Very interesting episodes
Closing music

11/14/2024

06cooper

I have to let you know that the closing music is very nice. The change is very uplifting to me and brings a smile to my face every time it plays. Your podcast by the way is the best of the many I listen to.
Obama lover. No thanks.

11/29/2024

none_of_ur...

I used to listened to this podcast while in grad school. I never realized that this is just another brainwashed Obama loving liberal tuning it. Very disappointing.

You Are Not So Smart is a show about psychology that celebrates science and self delusion. In each episode, we explore what we've learned so far about reasoning, biases, judgments, and decision-making.