About Thinking

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How to Stop the Pandemic From Infecting Your Thinking

Guy P. Harrison on April 17, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is generating waves of fantasies and fraud that are sweeping the globe. Our only defense is to practice good mental hygiene in the form of critical thinking.

The COVID-19 pandemic is generating waves of fantasies and fraud that are sweeping the globe. Our only defense is to practice good mental hygiene in the form of critical thinking.

Cognition

Why Won’t UFOs Go Away?

Guy P. Harrison on February 6, 2020

Interest in space, including the possibility of extraterrestrial life, should be encouraged. But we don’t have to surrender our critical thinking to pursue these ideas.

Interest in space, including the possibility of extraterrestrial life, should be encouraged. But we don’t have to surrender our critical thinking to pursue these ideas.

Heuristics

How Anchoring Bias Makes You Dumb

Guy P. Harrison on January 13, 2020

Improve your decision-making skills by paying attention to the troublesome anchoring bias.

Improve your decision-making skills by paying attention to the troublesome anchoring bias.

Memory

What You Need to Remember About Your Memory

Guy P. Harrison on January 3, 2020

Knowing these simple facts about how human memory works can help you avoid many problems over a lifetime.

Knowing these simple facts about how human memory works can help you avoid many problems over a lifetime.

Gratitude

What Is Life?

Guy P. Harrison on September 27, 2019

When it comes to defining life, gray zones and blurry boundaries abound.

When it comes to defining life, gray zones and blurry boundaries abound.

Intelligence

First Contact or First Murder?

Guy P. Harrison on July 31, 2019

Would it be morally justifiable to kill alien life in order to learn more about it?

Would it be morally justifiable to kill alien life in order to learn more about it?

Media

How to Keep Fake News Out of Your Head

Guy P. Harrison on July 18, 2019

Is fake news only a problem for the clinically stupid? Think again. Here are some ways to prevent yourself from falling victim to digital delusions and frauds.

Is fake news only a problem for the clinically stupid? Think again. Here are some ways to prevent yourself from falling victim to digital delusions and frauds.

Genetics

Six Misconceptions About Evolution That Deserve Extinction

Guy P. Harrison on March 9, 2019

Don't fall for these unscientific claims about the theory of evolution

Don't fall for these unscientific claims about the theory of evolution

Intelligence

When Worlds Collide

Guy P. Harrison on February 7, 2019

Should the outside world share at least some knowledge of prehistory, history, and science with secluded pockets of humanity?

Should the outside world share at least some knowledge of prehistory, history, and science with secluded pockets of humanity?

Attention

We Need to Think More about Viruses

Guy P. Harrison on November 16, 2018

What if I were to suggest that viruses run this planet? Would you believe me?

What if I were to suggest that viruses run this planet? Would you believe me?

Creativity

Want to Be More Creative? Walk Like a Caveman

Guy P. Harrison on July 9, 2018

Want to be more creative? Start walking like a caveman.

Want to be more creative? Start walking like a caveman.

Cognitive Dissonance

Guns Versus American Exceptionalism

Guy P. Harrison on February 25, 2018

The great contradiction in the gun debate that no one is talking about.

The great contradiction in the gun debate that no one is talking about.

Cognition

Your Seven Keys to Good Thinking

Guy P. Harrison on August 31, 2017

These seven keys to good thinking will serve you well over your lifetime.

These seven keys to good thinking will serve you well over your lifetime.

Attention

Confronting the Dirty Dozen in Your Head

Guy P. Harrison on December 28, 2016

You will never be at your intellectual best without paying attention to this Dirty Dozen of cognitive traps.

You will never be at your intellectual best without paying attention to this Dirty Dozen of cognitive traps.

President Donald Trump

Trump Is Only the Symptom

Guy P. Harrison on October 2, 2016

Donald Trump is not the problem. He's a symptom of the problem.

Donald Trump is not the problem. He's a symptom of the problem.

If "cult" is a sleazy, illogical slur word, why does everyone use it?

Race and Ethnicity

The American Race Problem

Guy P. Harrison on July 12, 2016

America is again focusing on its race problem and, once again, ignoring the past

America is again focusing on its race problem and, once again, ignoring the past

Attention

The Greatest Conspiracy Theory of All Time

Guy P. Harrison on July 10, 2016

What do you say to people who claim nobody ever walked on the Moon?

What do you say to people who claim nobody ever walked on the Moon?

Unconscious

I Order You to Stop Following Orders!

Guy P. Harrison on May 3, 2016

We all have a natural weakness for authority figures. To be safer, question everything and think twice before following orders.

We all have a natural weakness for authority figures. To be safer, question everything and think twice before following orders.

Religion

Exploring Our Endless Obsession With the End

Guy P. Harrison on February 17, 2016

Explore the rational and irrational sides of doomsday.

Explore the rational and irrational sides of doomsday.