It’s true

Did you know that bareheaded people will lose 80% of their body heat through their head? I didn’t know it either. Don’t feel badly, it’s actually not true - not even close. It is, however, an example of how easy something becomes “a fact” and how flawed our decision making can be as a result.

We live in a world today where all it takes to turn something into a fact is simply to say it, post it, or share it... bonus points if you do so with zeal. You are most likely nodding, perhaps even with a sense of sadness as to how this behavior is threatening the fabric of our society today. What’s behind this possibly civilization-ending behavior? Your ignorance. Mine too. Evolution has shaped us into master rationalizers that approach facts looking to, consciously or not, justify a conclusion we have already arrived at.

--> Have a few minutes? This The Atlantic piece (paywall) offers practical tips on how to effectively approach facts and data:

https://lnkd.in/gaPkKNYN

--> Have a couple of hours? Read Made to Stick, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, to learn how messages become highly effective at persuading you, even when completely false. Train yourself to spot the formula articulated in this book, especially in the highly persuasive messages you hear.

--> Have more than a few hours and a desire to reach your full potential? Read Thinking: Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman. It’s like an owner’s manual for your brain that will help you be aware of and hopefully avoid major errors in judgement.