Podcasts about self deceiving brain

Yowei shares exciting show news and goes on a self-delusion bender with the team at Proxy HQ. Is she being delusional? Or is delusion just necessary for starting any new project?From the episode:  Useful Delusions: The Power & Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain, by Shankar Vedantam: www.hiddenbrain.org/books Radiotopia from PRX: www.radiotopia.fm Episode credits:  Produced by Yowei Shaw Edited by John DeLore Mixed by Kyle Pulley  To help this independent show exist, consider joining our Patreon: patreon.com/proxypodcast. You'll get our newsletter and exclusive monthly bonus episodes. Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishaw Get in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

What is our purpose, both individually and collectively? What lies in the balance of who we are now and who we will become?  In Part Two of this episode, the Surgeon General and Shankar Vedantam, host of “Hidden Brain,” go deep into conversation about our individual and national quest for meaning and purpose.  This episode becomes deeply personal as both host and guest reveal their family's hopes for coming to America, and the unimaginable ways in which those dreams were realized. They find themselves asking where else on earth has what America can offer? And how can we remember and reinforce our ideals at moments the noise becomes too great?  (03:23)    How can we encourage young people to dream about the future?  (09:21)    How can we bring freshness and curiosity to our daily lives?  (11:57)    What does it mean to be a tourist in our own lives?  (15:28)    What is the power of having purpose in our lives?  (22:39)    What's the difference between goals and purpose?  (25:39)    How would Dr. Murthy bolster America's sense of purpose?  (28:58)    What is the enormous possibility that the United States offers?  (30:16)    What story of America did Dr. Murthy see in the crowd at his swearing in ceremony?  (32:51)    Who are Shankar Vedantam's Unsung Heroes?    We'd love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.      Shankar Vedantam, Host, “Hidden Brain” Podcast  Instagram: @hiddenbrain   X: @hiddenbrain  Facebook: @hiddenbrain    About Shankar Vedantam  Shankar Vedantam is the host and executive editor of the Hidden Brain podcast and radio show. Shankar and NPR launched the podcast in 2015, and it now receives millions of downloads per week, and is regularly listed as one of the top 20 podcasts in the world. The radio show, which debuted in 2017, is heard on more than 425 public radio stations across the United States.     Vedantam was NPR's social science correspondent between 2011 and 2020, and he spent 10 years as a reporter at The Washington Post. From 2007 to 2009, he was also a columnist, and wrote the Department of Human Behavior column for the Post.     Vedantam and Hidden Brain have been recognized with numerous journalism awards, including the Edward R Murrow Award, and honors from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, the International Society of Political Psychology, the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Austen Riggs Center, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the Webby Awards, the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors, the South Asian Journalists Association, the Asian American Journalists Association, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, the American Public Health Association, the Templeton-Cambridge Fellowship on Science and Religion, and the Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism Fellowship.     In 2009-2010, Vedantam served as a fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.     Shankar Vedantam speaks internationally about how the “hidden brain” shapes our world and is the author of two non-fiction books: The Hidden Brain: How our Unconscious Minds Elect Presidents, Control Markets, Wage Wars and Save Our Lives, published in 2010, and Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain published in 2021, an exploration of deception's role in human success.  

Have you ever had a moment when you've wanted to reach out to someone you haven't seen in awhile, but something stops you, like the worry you'll say the wrong thing?  Or have you had the experience of assuming that someone who disagrees with you must also dislike you?   It turns out, our mind can play tricks on us that make it harder to connect.   Shankar Vedantam, host and creator of the podcast ”Hidden Brain” joins the Surgeon General for a two-part conversation that travels across science and deeper philosophical questions about life.   In this first conversation, Shankar explains the “hidden brain,” the part of the mind that function outside of our awareness, making unconscious decisions and judgments. They ponder the paradox of how social anxieties keep us from connecting, but how acts of connection and kindness have far greater impact and power than most of us realize.     Offering both science and personal stories, Shankar and Dr. Murthy help us work through our fears of connecting. And help us close the gap between our values, like kindness, and our actions.  (04:04)    How does Shankar Vedantam describe the origins of the Hidden Brain podcast?  (06:18)    How can we understand if our hidden brain is helping us?  (08:34)    How does our hidden brain keep us from connecting with other people?  (14:04)    What does it mean to express gratitude to someone else?  (18:39)    How has Dr. Murthy cultivated his sense of kind and warmth?  (24:20)    How can we tell a better story about the nature of our humanity?  (29:36)    How did Shankar Vedantam become a translator of science?  (33:12)    How do listeners respond to the Hidden Brain podcast?  (36:12)    How are ideas for Hidden Brain podcast episodes developed?    We'd love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.      Shankar Vedantam, Host, “Hidden Brain” Podcast  Instagram: @hiddenbrain   X: @hiddenbrain  Facebook: @hiddenbrain    About Shankar Vedantam  Shankar Vedantam is the host and executive editor of the Hidden Brain podcast and radio show. Shankar and NPR launched the podcast in 2015, and it now receives millions of downloads per week, and is regularly listed as one of the top 20 podcasts in the world. The radio show, which debuted in 2017, is heard on more than 425 public radio stations across the United States.     Vedantam was NPR's social science correspondent between 2011 and 2020, and he spent 10 years as a reporter at The Washington Post. From 2007 to 2009, he was also a columnist, and wrote the Department of Human Behavior column for the Post.     Vedantam and Hidden Brain have been recognized with numerous journalism awards, including the Edward R Murrow Award, and honors from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, the International Society of Political Psychology, the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Austen Riggs Center, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the Webby Awards, the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors, the South Asian Journalists Association, the Asian American Journalists Association, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, the American Public Health Association, the Templeton-Cambridge Fellowship on Science and Religion, and the Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism Fellowship.     In 2009-2010, Vedantam served as a fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.     Shankar Vedantam speaks internationally about how the “hidden brain” shapes our world and is the author of two non-fiction books: The Hidden Brain: How our Unconscious Minds Elect Presidents, Control Markets, Wage Wars and Save Our Lives, published in 2010, and Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain published in 2021, an exploration of deception's role in human success.  

Today, Shankar Vedantam, host of "Hidden Brain," walks us through the surprising role of self-deception in human flourishing.

Today, Shankar Vedantam, host of "Hidden Brain," walks us through the surprising role of self-deception in human flourishing.

Back when grocery stores started charging for new plastic bags, there was a concern that using reusable grocery bags could be dangerous because of the germs and bacteria that accumulate in those bags when you use them over and over again. You don't hear so much about this concern today like you used to. Should you be worried about your reusable grocery bags? This episode begins with an exploration into that. https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-clean-are-your-reusable-shopping-bags-the-truth-will-shock-you/ You and every other human being engages in a lot of self-deception. We tell ourselves stories about how wonderful we are or how great our kids are, or how skilled we are at something. While it may seem silly, it turns out that self-deception serves an important purpose in our ability to navigate through life according to Shankar Vadantam author of the book Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain (https://amzn.to/3gfTNgI). Shankar joins me to explain this fascinating quirk of human behavior and how to make the most of our own self-deception. Shankar's podcast Hidden Brain can be found here: https://hiddenbrain.org/ Flirting can be fun. It might even lead to romance. On the other hand, it could get you in trouble depending on who you flirt with and where. Jean Smith is a social and cultural anthropologist who has studied flirting and written a book called Flirtology (https://amzn.to/3pzec4u). Jean joins me to discuss what flirting is and how to do it well. Her website is www.Flirtology.com A lot of people voluntarily refuse to take a vacation. Yet, the benefits of taking a vacation are impressive and numerous. Listen as I explain how “all work and no play” is a bad for your mental and physical health and why you must take your summer vacation this year and why it's important to actually enjoy the experience. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/take-back-your-time-10-reasons-why-vacations-matter-keith-salwoski/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Indeed is the hiring platform where you can Attract, Interview, and Hire all in one place! Start hiring NOW with a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING Offer good for a limited time. Discover Credit Cards do something pretty awesome. At the end of your first year, they automatically double all the cash back you've earned! See terms and check it out for yourself at https://Discover.com/match If you own a small business, you know the value of time. Innovation Refunds does too! They've made it easy to apply for the employee retention credit or ERC by going to https://getrefunds.com to see if your business qualifies in less than 8 minutes! Innovation Refunds has helped small businesses collect over $3 billion in payroll tax refunds! Let's find “us” again by putting our phones down for five.  Five days, five hours, even five minutes. Join U.S. Cellular in the Phones Down For Five challenge! Find out more at https://USCellular.com/findus We really like The Jordan Harbinger Show! Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start OR search for it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host of the "Hidden Brain" podcast Shankar Vedantam, debuts on the show to share a thought-provoking message about our past, present and future selves and what we can do to be our best.    Source:  You Don't Actually Know What Your Future Self Wants | Shankar Vedantam | TED   Connect with Shankar Vedantam:    Book: Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain   Podcast: Hidden Brain   Hosted by Malikee Josephs (Pronounced Muh leek Jo seffs)   Give Me A Shout:   Follow Me On Instagram @DepressionDetoxShow.   Email me: mj@depressiondetoxshow.com.   Support The Show: Donate

The Church of Love: Chonda-Za, Love Angels, lonely hearts, and a whole lot of questionable love letters. Plus, self-delusion and seeing things for what they are.Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website.Links & ResourcesNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846For veterans, Make The ConnectionUseful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain by Shankar Vedantam & Bill MeslerHidden Brain: Lonely HeartsChurch Of Love Drama: Sex, Money, Angels And Broken Dreams AP News 1988Knights of Chonda-Za Chicago Tribune 1988Church of Love operators plead innocent to fraud The Daily Dispatch 1987‘Church of Love' wasn't quite angelic Quad-City Times 1989Successful love angel: ‘Pure and wholesome' The Des Moines Register 1988Written and produced by Anna RobertsBurning palm tree artwork by Perry VasquezIntro music by Elliot MiddletonMerchandise: www.failedutopia.com/shopSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/failedutopia/donations

Shankar Vedantam is the host of the wildly popular podcast, Hidden Brain and esteemed author of the book Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain. We initially interviewed Shankar in mid 2021 but want to highlight this discussion for you again as it is one we still discuss in more recent episodes. Before reading Shankar's book and interviewing him for this podcast we were, as Shankar describes himself, card-carrying rationalists. We were firmly in the camp of believing rational, scientific findings and believing that lies and deception are harmful to ourselves and to our communities. However, Shankar walks us through a compelling argument, that paradoxically, self-deception actually plays a pivotal role in our happiness and well-being. In our discussion with Shankar we cover: (6:38) Speed round questions. (11:04) The difference between self delusions being useful and being harmful. (16:23) How nations are a delusional construct. (23:00) Awareness of self-delusions and how daily gratitudes can shift our perspective of the world.  (25:56) Shankar's personal story of delusional thinking.  (29:58) The role emotions play in our mood and delusions. (35:23) How avoidance of delusional thinking is a sign of privilege. (37:30) Why our perceptions play an important role in understanding delusions. (44:36) Shankar's unique approach to conspiracy theories. (52:28) What music Shankar has been listening to during COVID. (52:15) Grooving Session and Bonus Track with Kurt and Tim. We really hope you find Shankar's unique insight on how delusions are useful as compelling as we did. If you're a regular Behavioral Grooves listener, please consider supporting us through Patreon. Thank you!  © 2022 Behavioral Grooves   Books  Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain https://amzn.to/2PUkzlv  The Hidden Brain: How Our Unconscious Minds Elect Presidents, Control Markets, Wage Wars and Save Our Lives https://amzn.to/3e1qgWY Links Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment by Kahneman, Sibony and Sunstein, 2021 https://amzn.to/3heyr5r  Richard Dawkins https://richarddawkins.net/  Mahabharata https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata  Lake Wobegon Effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Wobegon    Other Episodes We Talk About The Myth of the “Relationship Spark” with Logan Ury (featuring a guest appearance by Christina Gravert, PhD): https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/the-myth-of-the-relationship-spark-with-logan-ury-featuring-a-guest-appearance-by-christina-gravert-phd/ Robert Cialdini, PhD: Littering, Egoism and Aretha Franklin: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/robert-cialdini-phd-littering-egoism-and-aretha-franklin/  Self Control, Belonging, and Why Your Most Dedicated Employees Are the Ones To Watch Out For with Roy Baumeister: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/self-control-belonging-and-why-your-most-dedicated-employees-are-the-ones-to-watch-out-for-with-roy-baumeister/ George Loewenstein: On a Functional Theory of Boredom: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/george-loewenstein-on-a-functional-theory-of-boredom/ Gary Latham, PhD: Goal Setting, Prompts, Priming, and Skepticism: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/gary-latham-phd-goal-setting-prompts-priming-and-skepticism/ John Bargh: Dante, Coffee and the Unconscious Mind: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/john-bargh-dante-coffee-and-the-unconscious-mind/ Linda Thunstrom: Are Thoughts and Prayers Empty Gestures to Suffering Disaster Victims? https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/linda-thunstrom-are-thoughts-and-prayers-empty-gestures-to-suffering-disaster-victims/ 

It was a good week for election deniers. Several Trump-backed candidates sealed primary wins in Arizona, Michigan and Missouri. This includes businessman Blake Masters, who's vying for a Senate seat in Arizona and identifies as part of the “New Right.” Plus, Eric Schmitt won the GOP primary for Senate in Missouri. Both Masters and Schmitt have falsely denied the 2020 election results.  Meanwhile, the Democrats are hoping that a far-right candidate will be easier to beat in the November midterms. They supported some far-right candidates, including John Gibbs. Gibbs beat the more moderate incumbent, Representative Peter Meijer, who was one of the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump.  What do those candidates' wins say about the evolving Republican Party? Is this a wise plan for Democrats? And how does this affect voters' faith in election integrity or democracy itself? Plus, red-leaning Kansas overwhelmingly rejected a Constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to ban or restrict abortions. Will the messaging used by abortion rights groups in Kansas resonate with voters across the country in the midterms? Can Democrats capitalize on this momentum? And was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial trip to Taiwan bold or catastrophic? Host David Greene discusses with Mo Elleithee, executive director of Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service, on the left; Tara Setmayer, senior advisor at the Lincoln Project, on the right; and special guest, Shankar Vedantam, creator and host of the Hidden Brain podcast and author of “Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain.”

Just when things looked bleak for Democrats' agenda, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin finally decided to back a $369 billion climate and tax package. Lawmakers are racing to pass several bills before the August recess, and Senate Democrats are hopeful that they will be able to pass a reconciliation bill now with Manchin's support.  If both chambers of Congress green-light the reconciliation bill, it could change the whole conversation on the campaign trail in the coming weeks. But what's the likelihood that it'll pass? Will it make a dent in the climate change fight? And how much power should Sen. Manchin have? Host David Greene discusses the revival of President Joe Biden's climate and economic agenda with Mo Elleithee, executive director of Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service, on the left; and Tara Setmayer, senior advisor at the Lincoln Project, on the right. Plus, in opening remarks during a meeting on reproductive health care, Vice President Kamala Harris stated her pronouns. She was then mocked and ridiculed on Twitter, among other places. Did she add fuel to a culture war? And why didn't Harris give more context, and explain why pronouns are important?  And special guest Shankar Vedantam, creator and host of the Hidden Brain podcast and author of “Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain,” talks about how polarized we really are as a country.

How much insight do people have into why they behave the way they do? Science journalist Shankar Vedantam, host of the Hidden Brain podcast and author of “Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain,” talks about why he is fascinated by the paradoxes of human behavior, what it takes to bring the popular podcast to life, and why it's important to show the public the challenges as well as the triumphs of science. Links The Hidden Brain Speaking of Psychology Home Page

What a year for books 2021 has been! It seems like authors, editors and publishers have all been working overtime this year to bring us some incredible new content. Books that have challenged our beliefs, calmed our anxieties and transformed our habits.  To help us with the mammoth job of summarizing the best behavioral science books from 2021, we are joined by the incredible Louise Ward, who has read over 100 books this year! Louise is the co-host of the Behavioural Science Club, a LinkedIn group established in June 2020 now with over 5,000 members. If you haven't yet joined the club, you definitely should. Today. Alongside co-host Prakash Sharma, the Behavioural Science Club interviews top authors each week about fascinating new insights in human behavior. In our discussion with Louise, we noticed some trends among our favorite books. One is that we are moving past the presumption that humans are flawed and irrational. Books such as Useful Delusions and Nudge focus instead on the evolutionary usefulness of our biases and heuristics. In addition, we loved that after reading books on heavy topics such as suffering (The Sweet Spot), racial inequalities (The Person You Mean to Be) or conspiracy theories (How to Talk to a Science Denier), we were still left with a feeling of hope and optimism. And if you're new to behavioral science and wondering how to get started or underestimating the impact you can make as an individual, there was an empowering theme to this year's books too. Dive into You Have More Influence Than You Think to recognize how you can make an impact on people, You're Invited to reflect on the connections you make in your life or Non Obvious Megatrends to start noticing more of the world around you.  We would LOVE to hear your favorite books of 2021. Did your favorites overlap with ours? Please send us an email at info@behavioralgrooves.com, or connect with us on social media with your top reads of the year. Twitter: @behavioralgroov LinkedIn: Behavioral Grooves Instagram: @behavioralgrooves  Facebook: Behavioral Grooves Behavioural Science Club Links Join over 5000 members in the LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13871707/  More group info: https://lnkd.in/grjWMrQ  Twitter: @BehSciClub  Our Favorite Books of 2021 Louise Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know, by Adam Grant: https://amzn.to/3pNXdvE Brandsplaining: Why Marketing is (Still) Sexist and How to Fix It, by Jane Cunningham and Philippa Roberts: https://amzn.to/33Fltsu Think Big: Take Small Steps and Build the Future You Want, by Grace Lordan: https://amzn.to/3mo3JZ6 What We Owe Each Other: A New Social Contract for a Better Society, by Minouche Shafik: https://amzn.to/3eiJOXj Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less, by Leidy Klotz: https://amzn.to/3JaOqwY The Sleeping Beauties: And Other Stories of Mystery Illness, Suzanne O'Sullivan: https://amzn.to/3IHnuV5 Noise: A Flaw In Human Judgement, by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony and Cass Sunstein: https://amzn.to/3eiHgZf This is Your Mind On Plants, by Michael Pollan: https://amzn.to/3Ekqd3p Nudge: The Final Edition, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein: https://amzn.to/3edkHFe Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, by Oliver Burkeman: https://amzn.to/3qiyFv9 Tim The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias, by Dolly Chugh: https://amzn.to/3rSsEHQ Anxiety at Work: 8 Strategies to Help Teams Build Resilience, Handle Uncertainty, and Get Stuff Done, by Chester Elton And Adrian Gostick: https://amzn.to/3EMgofA Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain, by Shankar Vedantam and Bill Mesler: https://amzn.to/3rVh8Ma The Unconscious: Theory, Research, and Clinical Implications, by Joel Weinberger: https://amzn.to/3H5P5xA  How to Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love, by Logan Ury: https://amzn.to/3GC8VR3 Non Obvious Megatrends: How to See What Others Miss and Predict the Future, by Rohit Bhargava: https://amzn.to/3phL4jv  Kurt You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters, by Vanessa Bohns: https://amzn.to/3dCEKgb You're Invited: The Art and Science of Cultivating Influence, by Jon Levy: https://amzn.to/3ydBtgF How To Talk To a Science Denier, by Lee McIntyre: https://amzn.to/3lVT4Vk  Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less, by Leidy Klotz: https://amzn.to/3JaOqwY  The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning, by Paul Bloom: https://amzn.to/3piFKwr   A couple of non-2021 favorites:  Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, by Robert Sapolsky: https://amzn.to/3H5ALp6 (Kurt) The Hype Machine: How Social Media Disrupts Our Elections, Our Economy, and Our Health--and How We Must Adapt, by Sinan Aral: https://amzn.to/3EgsSLv (Louise)  © 2021 Behavioral Grooves

Host of Hidden Brain podcast, Shankar Vedantam talks with us about the powers: both useful and harmful, of our delusional thinking. Nations are an example of useful delusions; they are an entirely human-made construct, yet they can present us with a unifying, shared identity.  There is a tipping point, however, at which our beliefs can become harmful to someone else. Shankar defines conspiracy theories as a particular type of self deception which can easily escalate into harmful behavior. Our conversation with Shankar touches on the Capitol Riots in Washington DC on January 6th 2021, and how conspiracy theories influenced the behavior of the rioters. “Conspiracy theories, I think are a sort of special case of self deception, which...can easily take over into things that are deeply harmful.” The challenge most of us face though, is how to talk to our friends and family who believe in conspiracy theories. And on that point, Shankar explains the Illusion Of Explanatory Depth and how conversations with our loved ones need to start with an air of empathy and compassion. You can listen to our full interview with Shankar Vedantam in Episode 222: How Delusions Can Actually Be Useful: Shankar Vedantam Reveals How: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/shankar-vedantam-useful-delusions/.  This bitesize episode is the introduction to our Conspiracy Theories Series, which will run through the month of November 2021. Over the next few weeks, you will hear from some of the brightest minds in the field of conspiracy theories and science denial. Here is our line up for the month: Nov 7th, 2021: Lee McIntyre discussing his new book, “How To Talk to A Science Denier.”  Nov 14th, 2021: Andy Norman talking about his new book “Mental Immunity”. Nov 21st, 2021: Eric Oliver, a political science professor at the University of Chicago who has studied conspiracy theorists for over 20 years.  Nov 28th, 2021: Howard Rankin, describing his new book “I Think Therefore I Am Wrong.”  Subscribe or follow Behavioral Grooves on your podcast player so you don't miss out on this fascinating series about conspiracy theories. © 2021 Behavioral Grooves Links Subscribe to the Behavioral Grooves Newsletter: https://behavioralgrooves.com/  Write a review of Behavioral Grooves podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/behavioral-grooves-podcast/id1303870112  Behavioral Grooves Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves  Shankar Vedantam, Episode 222. How Delusions Can Actually Be Useful: Shankar Vedantam Reveals How: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/shankar-vedantam-useful-delusions/ Shankar Vedantam of Hidden Brain: https://hiddenbrain.org/  Shankar Vedantam, “Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain”: https://amzn.to/2PUkzlv

I share a number of different book, podcast, and video recommendations for placebo mages. Books Religion for Atheists: A Non-believers Guide to the Uses of Religion by Alain de Botton Atheopaganism by Mark Green Godless Paganism: Voices of Non-Theistic Paganism edited by John Halstead DIY Magic: A Strange & Whimsical Guide to Creativity by Anthony Alvarado Postmodern Magic: The Art of Magic in the Information Age by Patrick Dunn The 7 Laws of Magical Thinking: How Irrational Beliefs Keep Us Happy, Healthy, and Sane by Matthew Hutson Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain by Shankar Vedantam and Bill Mesler Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics by Dan Harris and Jeff Warren Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi Videos Sedna Woo The Skeptical Witch Podcasts THE WONDER: Science-Based Paganism Re-Enchantment Open Div Summit See also: OpenDiv organization Hidden Brain: "Secret Friends" "What are the Odds?" "Creating God" "Useful Delusions" Radiolab Invisibilia: "How to Become Batman" "The Secret Emotional Life of Clothes" "Outside In" The Happiness Lab: "The Power of a Made-Up Ritual" "Boldly Go like Yuri Gagarin" "Wisdom of the Ancients" series (particularly the episodes on Plato, Aristotle, and Confucius) Support the show on Patreon to gain access to our Patreon-Exclusive Bonus Show! Join the discussion on Discord! Music from https://filmmusic.io: Frost Waltz by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3781-frost-waltzLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Arcadia by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3377-arcadiaLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/placebo-magick/message

(Note: This interview first aired earlier this year.) Our guest is Shankar Vedantam, the bestselling author and host of the popular "Hidden Brain" podcast and public-radio show. He joins us to discuss his book, "Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain." This book takes a detailed, research-driven look at the fundamental role of self-deception in human life -- that is, its positive as well as its negative aspects. As was noted by The Washington Post: "Powerful.... [Vedantam] explains the phenomenon of deceit in general, and self-deception in particular, with the same plain language and gentle authority that his listeners have come to rely on."

The truth is we divulge more information to Google that we do to our friends, our family or even our doctors. Our social media persona can paint a very different picture to what we secretly search for on Google. So what do search trends in Google tell us about ourselves and our society? Does it matter that we are different on Google than in person? Author of bestseller Everybody Lies (https://amzn.to/32ULlgD), Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, tells us how data can unlock the keys to happier relationships and even how to better parent our children. Topics We Discuss with Seth: (3:15) Welcome and speed round questions. (12:53) Are people more honest with Google or with their friends?  (16:01) The juxtaposition between our social media presence and our Google searches. (21:03) Does everybody really lie?  (26:06) Why people lie about sex. (30:00) Why your children's outcome is affected by your location.  (36:37) Using more data and less intuition to make decisions.  (44:28) The data to use and not to use for successful dating. (47:57) What age do we get hooked on music? (54:10) Do people lie about music? Join us for our follow-on discussion in Episode 245 where Kurt and Tim have a Grooving Session on what they have talked about with Seth: the effect of context with honesty, tips for successful dating and the influences surrounding our children. If you are a regular listener to Behavioral Grooves, please consider donating to our work through Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves). We also love reading your reviews on the podcast, which gives other listeners social proof that we're worth listening to! © 2021 Behavioral Grooves Links Behavioral Grooves new website: www.behavioralgrooves.com  Seth Stephens-Davidowitz: http://sethsd.com/  Seth Stephens-Davidowitz: “Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are”: https://amzn.to/32ULlgD  The Myth of the “Relationship Spark” with Logan Ury (featuring a guest appearance by Christina Gravert, PhD): https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/relationship-spark-logan-ury/  Dan Ariely, “Let Me Come Right Out and Say It: You Cheat”: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/let-me-come-right-out-and-say-it-you-cheat/  Bernie Madoff: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Madoff Shankar Vedantam, “Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain”: https://amzn.to/2PUkzlv  Raj Chetty: http://www.rajchetty.com/  Dan Levitin, “This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession”: https://amzn.to/3C45iSh  Episode 171: Self Control, Belonging, and Why Your Most Dedicated Employees Are the Ones To Watch Out For with Roy Baumeister https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/self-control-belonging-and-why-your-most-dedicated-employees-are-the-ones-to-watch-out-for-with-roy-baumeister/ Episode 220: How Do You Become Influential? Jon Levy Reveals His Surprising Secrets:  https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/how-to-be-influential-jon-levy/ Moneyball movie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moneyball_(film)  Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, “The Songs That Bind”: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/10/opinion/sunday/favorite-songs.html  Episode 219: Why Music Makes You Feel Better with Pablo Ripollés and Ernest Mas Herrero: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/why-music-makes-you-feel-better/ Elizabeth Ki, Behavioral Scientist at Spotify: http://elizabethdkim.com/  Episode 218: Share, Like, Comment: Sandra Matz PhD Exposes The Truth Behind your Digital Footprint: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/your-digital-footprint/ Musical Links Leonard Cohen “Famous Blue Raincoat”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohk3DP5fMCg  Leonard Cohen “Alexandra Leaving”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELGaHaZzwjU Leonard Cohen “Suzanne”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svitEEpI07E Bruce Springsteen “Dancing in the Dark”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129kuDCQtHs  Bob Dylan “Too Late”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUT7N8RYgSI  Paul Simon “Late in The Evening”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K5qIA1IVIA  Crosby, Stills and Nash “Just a Song Before I Go”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UoneXjfBC0  Dave Matthews Band “Funny The Way it Is”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNiS9T-I2Eg&pp=sAQA  Katy Perry “Smile”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZA5heWazIQ  Duran Duran “Invisible”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMCd5zrsFpE  Justin Bieber “Intentions”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AyMjyHu1bA  The Beatles “Come Together”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45cYwDMibGo 

Is it really so bad to be a little bit delusional? Not according to Shankar Vedantam. In his new book, “Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain,” he argues that we tell ourselves lies in order to live. We believe our marriages will last, even though there's a fifty-fifty chance we're headed for divorce. We trick ourselves into thinking our children are extraordinary because if we saw them for who they really are — average, disobedient, smelly — the body blows of parenting would be more than we could bear. In this candid conversation with Next Big Idea Club curator Daniel Pink, Shankar says wide-eyed delusions aren't all bad for us. In fact, self-deception is part of being a well-adjusted human being.Join The Next Big Idea Club today at nextbigideaclub.com/podcast and get a free copy of Adam Grant's new book!Listen ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad-free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/thenextbigidea.Support us by supporting our sponsors!NetSuite — Head to NetSuite.com/BigIdeaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is it really so bad to be a little bit delusional? Not according to Shankar Vedantam. In his new book, “Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain,” he argues that we tell ourselves lies in order to live. We believe our marriages will last, even though there's a fifty-fifty chance we're headed for divorce. We trick ourselves into thinking our children are extraordinary because if we saw them for who they really are — average, disobedient, smelly — the body blows of parenting would be more than we could bear. In this candid conversation with Next Big Idea Club curator Daniel Pink, Shankar says wide-eyed delusions aren't bad for us. In fact, self-deception is part of being a well-adjusted human being.

In the Moment, June 11, 2021 Show 1068. On Thursday, Governor Kristi Noem announced that the state has entered the Cooperative Interstate Shipping agreement. This program gives South Dakota meat processors the ability to sell their products across state lines. Dustin Oedekoven is the state veterinarian, he joins us with more. Remembering Leonard Crow Dog. SDPB's Lee Strubinger reports on the legacy of a Lakota medicine man who recently passed away. The human brain has an astounding ability for self-deception. That's not always a bad thing. Hidden Brain host Shankar Vedantam joins us to talk about his latest book Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain . Poetry from Studio 47 features the work of 2-term U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins Wayne Gilbert is a local historian. June 18 he gives a presentation at the Historic Adams House in Deadwood called "Horse Thieves and Cattle Rustlers: Vigilante 'Justice' in the Black Hills." Chaya Gordon-Bland, managing

Remember when we all started using reusable grocery bags and there was a big concern about germs and bacteria in those bags? You don't hear so much about this anymore - so is it still a big concern? This episode begins with a discussion on just how clean those bags are and how clean they should be. https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-clean-are-your-reusable-shopping-bags-the-truth-will-shock-you/ We all deceive ourselves all the time. We tell ourselves stories about how great we are or how great are children are, how skilled or smart we are. It turns out that self-deception serves a very important purpose in our ability to navigate and negotiate through life according to Shankar Vadantam author of the book Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain (https://amzn.to/3gfTNgI). Listen as Shankar explains this fascinating quirk of human behavior and how to make the most of our own self-deception. Shankar's podcast Hidden Brain can be found here: https://hiddenbrain.org/ Flirting is something many people like to do. It can be fun. It might even lead to romance. On the other hand, it could get you in trouble depending on who you flirt with and where. Jean Smith is a social and cultural anthropologist who has studied flirting and written a book called Flirtology (https://amzn.to/3pzec4u). Listen as she explains what flirting is exactly and most importantly, how to do it well. Her website is www.Flirtology.com A lot of people voluntarily refuse to take a vacation. Yet, the benefits of taking a vacation are numerous. Listen as I explain how “all work and no play” is a bad for your mental and physical health and why you should take your summer vacation this year and have a good time. https://www.takebackyourtime.org/why-vacations-matter/10-reasons-to-vacation/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! We really enjoy The Jordan Harbinger Show and we think you will as well! There's just SO much here. Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start for some episode recommendations, OR search for The Jordan Harbinger Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Save time, money, and stress with Firstleaf – the wine club designed with you in mind! Join today and you'll get 6 bottles of wine for $29.95 and free shipping! Just go to https://tryfirstleaf.com/SOMETHING Backcountry.com is the BEST place for outdoor gear and apparel. Go to https://backcountry.com/sysk and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first full price purchase! Hims is helping guys be the best version of themselves with licensed medical providers and FDA approved products to help treat hair loss. Go to https://forhims.com/something Go Daddy lets you create your website or store for FREE right now at https://godaddy.com Download the five star-rated puzzle game Best Fiends FREE today on the Apple App Store or Google Play! https://bestfiends.com Discover matches all the cash back you earn on your credit card at the end of your first year automatically and is accepted at 99% of places in the U.S. that take credit cards! Learn more at https://discover.com/yes https://www.geico.com Bundle your policies and save! It's Geico easy! Look before you lock! Leaving a child in a hot vehicle can lead to their death very quickly. Set cellphone reminders or place something you'll need in the back seat, so you don't forget your child is in the car. Paid for by NHTSA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone with a passing familiarity with Buddhism will know that “delusion” is rarely, if ever, mentioned in a positive way. In fact, the Buddha included delusion (aka: confusion about the way things really are) on his list of “the three poisons.” The whole point of meditation, per the Buddha, is to uproot delusion -- along with greed and hatred. Only then can you be enlightened.  My guest today is here to valiantly make the case that delusion -- or self-deception -- has an upside. Many upsides, in fact. While he concedes that self-deception can, of course, be massively harmful, he argues that it also plays a vital role in our success and wellbeing, and that it holds together friendships, marriages, and nations. Understanding this, he says, can make you happier, more effective, and -- crucially -- more empathetic with people with whom you disagree. Shankar Vedantam is the host of the popular podcast and radio show Hidden Brain. His new book is called Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain. In this conversation, we talk about: the many ways our brains filter and alter our perception of reality; why we evolved for a robust capacity to lie to ourselves; and how his research on delusions has colored his view of the chaos and confusion of our modern world. Are you excited about the upcoming Taming Anxiety Challenge? If so, you can download the Ten Percent Happier app today to get ready: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/shankar-vedantam-354

Anyone with a passing familiarity with Buddhism will know that “delusion” is rarely, if ever, mentioned in a positive way. In fact, the Buddha included delusion (aka: confusion about the way things really are) on his list of “the three poisons.” The whole point of meditation, per the Buddha, is to uproot delusion -- along with greed and hatred. Only then can you be enlightened.  My guest today is here to valiantly make the case that delusion -- or self-deception -- has an upside. Many upsides, in fact. While he concedes that self-deception can, of course, be massively harmful, he argues that it also plays a vital role in our success and wellbeing, and that it holds together friendships, marriages, and nations. Understanding this, he says, can make you happier, more effective, and -- crucially -- more empathetic with people with whom you disagree. Shankar Vedantam is the host of the popular podcast and radio show Hidden Brain. His new book is called Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain. In this conversation, we talk about: the many ways our brains filter and alter our perception of reality; why we evolved for a robust capacity to lie to ourselves; and how his research on delusions has colored his view of the chaos and confusion of our modern world. Are you excited about the upcoming Taming Anxiety Challenge? If so, you can download the Ten Percent Happier app today to get ready: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/shankar-vedantam-354

Have you ever asked someone, “How are you?” while not really caring about their actual response? And why would you need to, when we are conditioned to rarely respond to this question honestly? This is an example of deception and self-deception, and it happens in little and big ways around the world every single day. While this example may seem innocuous, self-deception has caused harm—to us, to our communities, to the planet. But if it is so bad for us, why is it so ubiquitous? The Hidden Brain's Shankar Vedantam argues that, paradoxically, self-deception can also play a vital role in our success and well-being. Vedantam joined us in conversation with KUOW's Ross Reynolds to explore how the lies we tell ourselves sustain our daily interactions with friends, lovers, and coworkers. On the Hidden Brain podcast, Vedantam peels back the layers of lies that keep us from seeing reality clearly and from becoming our best selves, which led to him uncovering and exploring this dichotomous impact of self-deception specifically. Drawing on powerful personal stories contained in his book Useful Delusions: The Power & Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain, he presented a correlation from self-deception to why some people live longer than others, why some couples remain in love and others don't, why some nations hold together while others splinter. But how do we find the line between those lies we tell ourselves that are helpful and those that are harmful? Coupled with new insights in psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy, Vedantam offered a fascinating tour of what it really means to be human. Shankar Vedantam is host of the Hidden Brain podcast and public radio show and the author of The Hidden Brain, a New York Times national bestseller. He lives in Washington, DC. Ross Reynolds is KUOW's Executive Producer for Community Engagement. Before that he was a KUOW program host for 16 years and has also been KUOW's News Director, Program Director, and hosted the weekly KCTS-TV interview program Upon Reflection. Reynolds was previously news director at KBOO Radio in Portland, Oregon and News/Public Affairs Director at WCUW Radio in Worcester, Massachusetts. Buy the Book: https://www.elliottbaybook.com/book/9780393652208  Presented by Town Hall Seattle and KUOW. 

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Shankar Vedantam, host of the wildly popular podcast, Hidden Brain and esteemed author of the new book Useful Delusions (https://amzn.to/2PUkzlv).  Before reading Shankar’s book and interviewing him for this podcast we were, as Shankar describes himself, card-carrying rationalists. We were firmly in the camp of believing rational, scientific findings and believing that lies and deception are harmful to ourselves and to our communities. However, Shankar walks us through a compelling argument, that paradoxically, self-deception actually plays a pivotal role in our happiness and well-being. In our discussion with Shankar we cover: (6:38) Speed round questions. (11:04) The difference between self delusions being useful and being harmful. (16:23) How nations are a delusional construct. (23:00) Awareness of self-delusions and how daily gratitudes can shift our perspective of the world.  (25:56) Shankar’s personal story of delusional thinking.  (29:58) The role emotions play in our mood and delusions. (35:23) How avoidance of delusional thinking is a sign of privilege. (37:30) Why our perceptions play an important role in understanding delusions. (44:36) Shankar’s unique approach to conspiracy theories. (52:28) What music Shankar has been listening to during COVID. (52:15) Grooving Session and Bonus Track with Kurt and Tim. We really hope you find Shankar’s unique insight on how delusions are useful as compelling as we did. If you’re a regular Behavioral Grooves listener, please consider supporting us through Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves). Thank you!  © 2021 Behavioral Grooves   Books  Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain https://amzn.to/2PUkzlv  The Hidden Brain: How Our Unconscious Minds Elect Presidents, Control Markets, Wage Wars and Save Our Lives https://amzn.to/3e1qgWY Links Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment by Kahneman, Sibony and Sunstein, 2021 https://amzn.to/3heyr5r  Richard Dawkins https://richarddawkins.net/  Mahabharata https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata  Lake Wobegon Effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Wobegon    Other Episodes We Talk About The Myth of the “Relationship Spark” with Logan Ury (featuring a guest appearance by Christina Gravert, PhD): https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/the-myth-of-the-relationship-spark-with-logan-ury-featuring-a-guest-appearance-by-christina-gravert-phd/ Robert Cialdini, PhD: Littering, Egoism and Aretha Franklin: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/robert-cialdini-phd-littering-egoism-and-aretha-franklin/  Self Control, Belonging, and Why Your Most Dedicated Employees Are the Ones To Watch Out For with Roy Baumeister: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/self-control-belonging-and-why-your-most-dedicated-employees-are-the-ones-to-watch-out-for-with-roy-baumeister/ George Loewenstein: On a Functional Theory of Boredom: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/george-loewenstein-on-a-functional-theory-of-boredom/ Gary Latham, PhD: Goal Setting, Prompts, Priming, and Skepticism: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/gary-latham-phd-goal-setting-prompts-priming-and-skepticism/ John Bargh: Dante, Coffee and the Unconscious Mind: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/john-bargh-dante-coffee-and-the-unconscious-mind/ Linda Thunstrom: Are Thoughts and Prayers Empty Gestures to Suffering Disaster Victims? https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/linda-thunstrom-are-thoughts-and-prayers-empty-gestures-to-suffering-disaster-victims/ 

We talk with "Hidden Brain" host Shankar Vedantam, His new book is "Useful Delusions: The Power & Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain."

Our guest is Shankar Vedantam, the bestselling author and host of the popular "Hidden Brain" podcast and public-radio show. He joins us to discuss his new book, "Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain." This book takes a detailed, research-driven look at the fundamental role of self-deception in human life -- that is, its positive as well as its negative aspects. As was noted of this work by The Washington Post: "Powerful.... [Vedantam] explains the phenomenon of deceit in general, and self-deception in particular, with the same plain language and gentle authority that his listeners have come to rely on."

Countdown to Sacramento Beer Week; we explain what’s different and the challenges local craft breweries face. Plus, employment opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum are few and far between. Meristem, a Sacramento-based program, is looking to close that gap by training employers to see the value in hiring adults on the spectrum. And a familiar voice to NPR —  ‘Hidden Brain’ host Shankar Vendantam discusses his new book “Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain,” arguing the lies we tell each other, and even ourselves, are actually useful in strengthening relationships. Today's Guests Sacramento Area Brewers Guild President and Flatland Brewing Co. Owner Andrew Mohsen discusses Sacramento Beer Week and explains what to expect this year and how the pandemic has impacted the industry Brandon Mark describes his strengths and challenges in gaining employment as an adult on the autism spectrum. Edmund Knighton with Meristem talks about its Sacramento-based program dedicated to preparing young adults on the autism spectrum for a life of greater independence and fulfillment. Also, Maurice Thomas shares his experience as an employer hiring adults with autism as part of the Breaking Barriers Meristem program. Host of the ‘Hidden Brain’ podcast Shankar Vedantam on his new book “Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain,” arguing that deceiving ourselves and others can also play a vital role in human success and well-being. The lies we tell each other and the lies that we tell ourselves sustain our daily interactions with friends, lovers, and coworkers

Shankar Vedantam, the host of the Hidden Brain podcast, explains how the deception of oneself and others can paradoxically play a vital role in human success and well-being.

Can self-deception be useful? During the pandemic, it has been fashionable to say that we're “following the science,” and that our behavior is determined by verifiable facts. We are, after all, self-declared rational beings, and that's clearly useful in guiding our reaction to a pandemic. It's true that fear and suspicion have caused some to make contrary choices such as declining vaccines, but that behavior is considered irrational. But are there situations when delusional thinking can help you thrive? Why are we not as rational as we think? Guests:  Steven Novella – Neurologist and professor at Yale University School of Medicine. Host of the Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast. Shankar Vedantam – Host of the Hidden Brain podcast and radio show, and co-author of “Useful Delusions: The Power & Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain.”   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shankar Vedantam, host of the Hidden Brain podcast and public radio show, discusses how we can bring our country together in these divisive times, why it's good to think our children are exceptional, and why we need to feel like our lives have meaning. His new book is Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain.