I've been watching National Geographic's Brain Games episodes over the last few months and have been fascinated. Especially about how little I knew. About the Brain. How it works. How we perceive. How we ...
Until earlier today I saw a very interesting episode. All episodes were interesting, but this raised a few serious questions. The episode was titled "What You Don't Know". (Season 2, Episode 6)
It's about the misconception that we understand everything that goes no around us. However science shows that we know a lot less than we think we do.
In fact, psychologists have a name for it. "Illusion of Knowledge"
Shankar Vedantam, a NPR Science Correspondent says,
"
In everyday life, we constantly come across problems we can't solve and if we were honest with ourselves, we'd admit it. But the reality is that we don't. Psychologists call it "Illusion of Knowledge"
The brain is wired to try and provide an answer. Its a survival mechanism to make you feel more in control. Nobody likes to walk around feeling lost and clueless, especially with things we think we should know.
The best way out is to challenge it to get specific details on how a specific object works.
"
2 of the examples it gives is the everyday zipper and cycle. We all think we know how they work. Try drawing and explaining a working model and we'll soon realize, "We thought we knew".
Do check out, not only this episode but others of Brain Games". Its anything but Games.
And whilst on the subject of "Illusion of Knowledge", check out Jason Latimer's take on the "Illusion of Knowledge". Completely different but equally engaging and thought provoking.
Seeing beyond the illusion of knowledge: Jason Latimer at TEDxWallStreet
Until earlier today I saw a very interesting episode. All episodes were interesting, but this raised a few serious questions. The episode was titled "What You Don't Know". (Season 2, Episode 6)
It's about the misconception that we understand everything that goes no around us. However science shows that we know a lot less than we think we do.
In fact, psychologists have a name for it. "Illusion of Knowledge"
Shankar Vedantam, a NPR Science Correspondent says,
"
In everyday life, we constantly come across problems we can't solve and if we were honest with ourselves, we'd admit it. But the reality is that we don't. Psychologists call it "Illusion of Knowledge"
The brain is wired to try and provide an answer. Its a survival mechanism to make you feel more in control. Nobody likes to walk around feeling lost and clueless, especially with things we think we should know.
The best way out is to challenge it to get specific details on how a specific object works.
"
2 of the examples it gives is the everyday zipper and cycle. We all think we know how they work. Try drawing and explaining a working model and we'll soon realize, "We thought we knew".
Do check out, not only this episode but others of Brain Games". Its anything but Games.
And whilst on the subject of "Illusion of Knowledge", check out Jason Latimer's take on the "Illusion of Knowledge". Completely different but equally engaging and thought provoking.
Seeing beyond the illusion of knowledge: Jason Latimer at TEDxWallStreet
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