On These Questions, Smarter People Do Worse

Being better at math can make you worse at math problems, and it’s completely rational. Get all sides of every story at https://groundnews.com/Ve and read the news with a data-driven approach. Subscribe through my link for 50% off unlimited access– their biggest discount of the year.

00:00 This research paper has fascinated me for years

00:21 The skin cream question

04:20 How politics influences our reasoning

5:10 The gun control question

8:42 Are people rational decision makers?

9:27 Why people think tribally

10:38 What can we do about political polarisation?

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References:

Kahan D, M. et al. (Sept 3, 2014). Motivated numeracy and enlightened self-government. Behavioural public policy, 1(1), 54-86 - https://ve42.co/Kahan2017

TEDx Talks. (Dec 10, 2018). Are Smart People Ruining Democracy? via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanTedx

Cardiff University. (Mar 6, 2014). The Science Communication Environment via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanCardiff

spitfirestrategies. (Nov 21, 2012). How cultural values shape beliefs and perceptions of risk via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanSpirit

Images & Video:

TEDx Talks. (Dec 10, 2018). Are Smart People Ruining Democracy? via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanTedx

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Directed by Wylie Overstreet and Derek Muller

Written by Wylie Overstreet and Derek Muller

Edited by Trenton Oliver

Animated by Fabio Albertelli, James Cheetham

Illustrated by Jakub Misiek, Emma Wright, and Maria Gusakovich

Filmed by Derek Muller and Wylie Overstreet

Additional research by Gabe Bean

Produced by Wylie Overstreet, Derek Muller, Rob Beasley Spence, Gabe Bean, Gregor Čavlović, and Tori Brittain

Thumbnail contributions by Jakub Misiek, Ren Hurley and Peter Sheppard

Additional video/photos supplied by Getty Images, Storyblocks

Music from Epidemic Sound