Podcast episode about cognitive immunity and common sense with Andy Norman in More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness

Cognitive Immunity: Protection and Preservation of Humanity through Better Thinking

Original Air Date Wednesday, January 10 , 2024.

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Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE).

Listen to two separate 9-part Harvesting Happiness podcast productions that explore the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Both unique series examine how and why disinformation, conspiracy theories, and media propaganda are used to undermine critical thinking and common sense. This impacts how we think and behave as well as our collective well-being.

This episode is #1 of 9 with More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

In this first episode, Lisa speaks with the award-winning author of Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think, Dr. Andy Norman. Andy introduces the mission and esteemed researchers at MIP and CIRCE.

Tune in:

Play it on Substack

Meet Our Guest:

Andy Norman is the award-winning author of Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think. His work has appeared in Scientific American, Psychology Today, Psychiatric Times, Skeptic, Free Inquiry, and The Humanist.

He has appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, NPR, and The BBC’s Naked Scientist. His research illuminates the evolutionary origins of human reasoning, the norms that make dialogue fruitful, and the workings of the mind’s immune system. Andy champions the emerging science of mental immunity as the antidote to disinformation, propaganda, hate, and division.

Dr. Norman is the founder of the Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE), a global think-tank leading the effort to inoculate humanity against cognitive contagion.

Book: Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think

Andy Norman — Cognitive Immunity:

How do you keep a positive attitude without buying into distorted beliefs? {3:27}
The role of philosophy in counseling. {6:16}
The neuroscience of the impact of fear and stress on the body. {9:07}
Who are the researchers at CIRCE looking for ways to train the brain to become immune to bad ideas? {20:23}

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Shareables:

“It turns out that you can't think straight when you are angry, bitter, resentful, or scared.” @DrAndyNo on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet “It's important to practice fair-mindedness in the consumption of information.” @DrAndyNo on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet “There are systemic structural reasons why the media uses hyperbolic headlines because you get more clicks.” @DrAndyNo on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet “We have to maintain balance in the way we view the world.” @DrAndyNo on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet

Grab More Joy Below:

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H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.