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All In The Mind

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

  • Why smart people do stupid things

Why smart people do stupid things

Sunday 19th May 2019

Discover why even the brightest minds can make mistakes in this episode of 'All In The Mind' with David Robson. Learn about the Intelligence Trap and better decision-making.
29 minutes
Thought-provoking
Informative
Engaging
Educational
Eye-opening

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All In The Mind
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ABC Radio
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Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
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The Intelligence Trap: Why Smart People Make Mistakes

Your intelligence can actually help you to cover up your own mistakes, and it can really push you down this path where your errors are amplified as a result.
Ever wondered why even the brightest minds sometimes make baffling mistakes? In this episode of 'All In The Mind', science journalist and author David Robson dives into a fascinating concept called the Intelligence Trap. He explains how intelligence and expertise can sometimes lead to poor decisions and greater biases. Robson explores practical intelligence, rationality, memory, and decision-making, showing how these traits can either shield us from or push us deeper into error.
He also highlights the importance of a growth mindset, which encourages continuous learning and adaptability. Robson shares eye-opening examples, such as the corporate culture behind the Deepwater Horizon disaster and how political evaluations might be missing the mark on what truly constitutes intelligence. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how to become a better decision-maker and avoid the pitfalls of the Intelligence Trap.