ABSTRACT

What made a prominent conspiracy-theorist YouTuber finally see that 9/11 was not a hoax? How do voter opinions shift from neutral to resolute? Can widespread social change only take place when a generation dies out? This talk will describe the science and the experience of transformation, based on the latest research of psychologists and neuroscientists. It explores the limits of reasoning, the power of groupthink, and the effects of deep canvassing. It is a journey among cult members, conspiracy theorists, and political activists, from Westboro Baptist Church picketers to LGBTQ campaigners in California. In an age of dangerous conspiratorial thinking, can we rise to the occasion with empathy?

About the Speaker:

David McRaney is a journalist and lecturer fascinated with brains, minds, and culture. He created the blog, book, and ongoing podcast You Are Not So Smart, which he calls a "celebration of self-delusion." His most recent book is How Minds Change, all about the nuances of communication and persuasion as well as the science behind how and why we do and do not update our understanding of the world (and ourselves) when faced with novel experiences, ambiguous information, and challenging conversations (or a combination of all three). After finishing How Minds Change, he wrote, produced, and recorded a six-hour audio documentary exploring the history of the idea and the word "genius" which is the subject of his next book.