12. Don't Trust Your Mind скачать в хорошем качестве

12. Don't Trust Your Mind

The Glitchy Brain: Why You Shouldn’t Trust Your Own Mind Have you ever felt completely certain about something, only to realize later that you were wrong? According to author Darius Foroux, this isn't just a mistake—it's a feature of our biology. In Chapter 12 of *Think Straight*, titled "Don't Trust Your Mind," Foroux reveals a scary truth: humans are fundamentally illogical, and our brains function less like clear cameras and more like glitchy operating systems. Here is a look at why your mind tricks you and how to master your mental filters. What Is a Cognitive Bias? We tend to think we see reality exactly as it is. However, Foroux explains that we actually view the world through **Cognitive Biases**. A cognitive bias is a "Systematic Thinking Error". Think of it like a software glitch in a computer that happens the exact same way every time. Your brain has over 100 of these glitches, which distort your perception of reality. Two Major "Glitches" in Your Operating System The sources highlight two specific biases that control how we process information: 1. Attentional Bias (The "Sad Filter") Attentional bias means your current thoughts dictate what you see. If you are having negative thoughts, your brain effectively applies a filter that only lets you notice negative things, completely ignoring the positive. *The Modern Example:* Imagine waking up grumpy. You put on your "AR glasses" and look at the world. You immediately notice your cereal is soggy and the bus is late. You think the world is terrible, but the world hasn't changed—your brain has just applied a "Sad Filter". 2. Confirmation Bias (The "Echo Chamber") This is the tendency to search for proof that you are right while ignoring facts that disagree with you. *The Modern Example:* Let’s say you want to believe eating chocolate for breakfast is healthy. You ask an AI, "Why is chocolate good for breakfast?" When the AI gives you five articles supporting you, you shout, "I was right!"—while ignoring the 1,000 articles that say otherwise. Your brain acts like a bad search engine, only delivering the results you wanted to see. The "Main Character" Syndrome Another common trick our brains play is making us feel like the center of the universe. For example, if you trip in a cafeteria, you might think, "Everyone saw that! Everyone is laughing at me!". This is a glitch where your brain thinks you are the "Main Character" of the server. The reality? Everyone else is worried about their own lunch or games. They likely didn't even notice you tripped. Your brain exaggerates these moments to make you feel important, even if it is in a negative way. How to Fix the Glitch So, how do we stop these errors? The lesson from the text is simple: **Do not make decisions based on feelings or beliefs**. Instead, you must admit that your brain might be tricking you. As the source summarizes for a younger generation: "Your eyes are not cameras; they are like Instagram filters... Never trust your first thought; always double-check it". To "Think Straight," you must actively search for the opposite view. If you believe something is good, ask why it might be bad. If you feel everyone hates you, ask if that is real or just a glitch. By acknowledging these biases, you can take off the "filter" and see the world clearly.