Infodemic Inoculation: Exercising thought intelligence through whole brain thinking with Andy Norman Ph.D. & John Cook Ph.D.

Infodemic Inoculation: Exercising Thought Intelligence Through Whole Brain Thinking

Original Air Date Wednesday, June 16, 2021

The COVID pandemic has most of us thinking about having our physical systems vaccinated. But, what about the disease of disinformation? Is it possible to inoculate our minds and make them immune to untruths and bad ideas that spread through social networks? Is there a proven method to keep probable mind parasites at bay?

To better understand how to thwart misinformation and converse with those whose minds have been targeted by pirates, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two doctors who specialize in disarming disinformation and exercising intelligence.

Andy Norman created a new spin on aged philosophy to vaccinate minds. He shares key takeaways from his book, Mental Immunity.

Climate Scientist John Cook designed a cartoon and game based on a ‘Crazy Uncle’ amalgam to teach our minds how to have conversations with people who think differently than we do.

Tune in:

Meet Our Guests:

Infodemic Inoculation: Exercising thought intelligence through whole brain thinking with Andy Norman Ph.D. & John Cook Ph.D.

Andy Norman, PhD teaches philosophy and directs the Humanism Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University. Andy authored the popular “Brainstormin” column for the Humanist Network News and works at understanding how ideologies corrupt moral understanding. His work has appeared in Free Inquiry, Essays in the Philosophy of Humanism, and dozens of other journals. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife of 20 years, two fascinating kids, and a dog.

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

Andy Norman — Infodemic Inoculation:

  • Andy discusses the mind’s immune system and does a thought experiment with Lisa to exercise intelligence. {1:59}
  • The Socratic method is a powerful mind inoculant and if modified can become a mind vaccine. {6:41}
  • How to have conversations with a cranky uncle or anyone else who has a limited world view. {8:52}
  • Have our mental immune systems become compromised? {18:21}
  • The New Socratic method is a tool of immunology to vaccinate the mind and exercise intelligence. {24:04}

Follow Andy Norman:

Infodemic Inoculation: Exercising thought intelligence through whole brain thinking with Andy Norman Ph.D. & John Cook Ph.D.

John Cook Ph.D. is a post-doctoral research fellow at the Climate Change Communication Research Hub at Monash University. He obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Western Australia, studying the cognitive psychology of climate science denial. His research focus is on understanding and countering misinformation about climate change.

John Cook — Whole Brain Thinking:

  • The impact misinformation and denial have on society. {32:12}
  • Inhabiting the same reality is the only way to move humanity forward. {36:07}
  • John shares the principles of his Cranky Uncle game and how it has been received by students. {37:03}
  • The benefits of learning how to argue and how it helps us think logically. {42:10}
  • As a cartoonist, John was able to visualize the logical flow of disinformation. {45:10}
  • How games and role-playing help inoculate the mind and affects intelligence. {53:29}

Follow John Cook:

Shareables:

“Infodemics are a real phenomenon that can skew our thinking in ways that harm us all.” @DrAndyNo on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “The brain has two separate systems that work in opposite directions to try to maintain a balance.” @DrAndyNo on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Cartoons are a perfect delivery mechanism for visualizing a logical flow of misinformation.” @JohnfoCook on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “The curiosity you extend to another person ultimately builds connection.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

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