Click on a word or part of a phrase to learn more.

Scroll through the captions and click to skip to a caption.

Play video to start

We’re lucky to live in an age where the sum total of human knowledge

is pretty much available at the click of a button.

is pretty much available at the click of a button

We’ve never had access to so much information.

We’ve never had access to so much information

But not all of what’s out there is quite what it seems.

But not all of what’s out there is quite what it seems

So here’s a few strategies to navigate your way through.

So here’s a few strategies to navigate your way through

And avoid falling out with people along the way.

And avoid falling out with people along the way

We all enjoy that sweet dopamine hit of feeling like we’re right.

We all enjoy that sweet dopamine hit of feeling like we’re right

In repeated experiments, psychologists have shown

In repeated experiments psychologists have shown

we’re much more likely to accept something as evidence

if it confirms what we already think we know.

if it confirms what we already think we know

And much more likely to discount information

if it contradicts our views.

if it contradicts our views

It’s what’s known as “confirmation bias”.

It’s what’s known as “confirmation bias”

It’s one of the key “cognitive biases” that humans have,

It’s one of the key “cognitive biases” that humans have

and it operates at an unconscious level -

and it operates at an unconscious level

affecting our ability to process information.

affecting our ability to process information

This is especially true for issues which are emotionally charged,

This is especially true for issues which are emotionally charged

or where our views are deeply held.

or where our views are deeply held

But it can come into play at any time.

But it can come into play at any time

So don’t rush to decide,

So don’t rush to decide

and be actively prepared to change your mind.

and be actively prepared to change your mind

So many of our discussions take place on social media platforms

where algorithms reward our desire to see and hear our views confirmed.

where algorithms reward our desire to see and hear our views confirmed

But in life, most situations are nuanced and complicated –

But in life most situations are nuanced and complicated –

acknowledging that can enrich the way that we view the world.

acknowledging that can enrich the way that we view the world

For example, what colour is the sky? Well, the obvious answer is blue.

For example what colour is the sky Well the obvious answer is blue

But at sunrise or sunset, it can be red.

But at sunrise or sunset it can be red

On a cold misty morning, white or grey.

On a cold misty morning white or grey

At night, midnight blue or black.

At night midnight blue or black

But imagine for a moment the blue of the sky on a sunny day.

But imagine for a moment the blue of the sky on a sunny day

Is it really blue?

Is it really blue

The colour blue has a short wavelength,

The colour blue has a short wavelength

meaning it scatters more than other colours -

meaning it scatters more than other colours

making it more visible to the human eye.

making it more visible to the human eye

So the sky looks blue to us humans,

So the sky looks blue to us humans

even though there’s a whole spectrum of colours out there.

even though there’s a whole spectrum of colours out there

Even something that seems totally self-evident

can be more nuanced than you think.

can be more nuanced than you think

One approach to, well, arguing,

One approach to well arguing

is to let go of the idea of being “right”.

is to let go of the idea of being “right”

Or at least seriously consider that you might actually be wrong.

Or at least seriously consider that you might actually be wrong

Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes

can lead to much more productive outcomes.

can lead to much more productive outcomes

Really try to understand where the other person is coming from.

Really try to understand where the other person is coming from

It’s what’s called “intellectual empathy”.

It’s what’s called “intellectual empathy”

It can be challenging, but that’s the point.

It can be challenging but that’s the point

This can only work when both parties are engaging in good faith.

This can only work when both parties are engaging in good faith

Arguing just to waste somebody’s time,

Arguing just to waste somebody’s time

known online as “sea lioning”,

known online as “sea lioning”

not only makes you that guy or girl people avoid at parties,

not only makes you that guy or girl people avoid at parties

but we are intellectually, socially and politically worse off for it.

but we are intellectually socially and politically worse off for it

It’s more important than ever

to know where your information is coming from.

to know where your information is coming from

That sciency-looking graph about the dangers of feral Dalmatian puppies

might look very convincing, until you dig a little deeper

might look very convincing until you dig a little deeper

and find it was commissioned by fur-coat-coveting

Disney villain, Cruella de Vil.

Disney villain Cruella de Vil

Be on the lookout for ulterior motives and vested interests.

Be on the lookout for ulterior motives and vested interests

Becoming literate in the basics of scientific methodology,

Becoming literate in the basics of scientific methodology

the use of data and the way it’s presented

are all weapons in your arsenal when it comes to critical thinking.

are all weapons in your arsenal when it comes to critical thinking

Whether engaging in online debates or arguing with Uncle Frank,

Whether engaging in online debates or arguing with Uncle Frank

it’s very easy to lose our cool and resort to some

less-than-sound tactics.

less-than-sound tactics

One common tactic is what philosophers call,

One common tactic is what philosophers call

“The Straw Man” fallacy.

“The Straw Man” fallacy

Instead of engaging with the actual belief,

Instead of engaging with the actual belief

you engage with a caricature.

you engage with a caricature

For example, if I said, “I prefer hamsters to gerbils,”

For example if I said “I prefer hamsters to gerbils”

you might respond, “Oh, so you want to drown all gerbils?”

you might respond “Oh so you want to drown all gerbils”

A viewpoint that’s much easier to take down.

A viewpoint that’s much easier to take down

Another fallacy is the “ad hominem fallacy”,

Another fallacy is the “ad hominem fallacy”

where you discount an argument

because of your opinion of the person making it.

because of your opinion of the person making it

This can lead to ad hominem attacks,

This can lead to ad hominem attacks

which is basically Latin for name-calling.

which is basically Latin for name-calling

In that situation, it’s fair to say that everybody loses.

In that situation it’s fair to say that everybody loses

Engaging in critical thinking isn’t as fun as picking up a pitchfork,

Engaging in critical thinking isn’t as fun as picking up a pitchfork

or feeling like you’re fundamentally right.

or feeling like you’re fundamentally right

But in the long run, it leads to a more curious,

But in the long run it leads to a more curious

educated and harmonious society,

educated and harmonious society

which ultimately is the biggest win of all.

which ultimately is the biggest win of all

Talking speed

Stop/Pause Stop

Account Settings Subscriptions

You might also like these videos

BBC ideas BBC Ideas

Choose another category

⌛

If you enjoy using our custom video player, why not join thousands of subscribers who have signed up to our free weekly lessons?