A Hovercraft Full of Eels

Artificial Intelligence

Are AI Outputs Rational or Not?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on March 3, 2025

AI can generate creative ideas, but can it make rational decisions? This post explores AI's strengths, limitations, and the role of human oversight in decision-making.

AI can generate creative ideas, but can it make rational decisions? This post explores AI's strengths, limitations, and the role of human oversight in decision-making.

Artificial Intelligence

The Double-Edged Sword of Artificial Intelligence

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on February 10, 2025

As large language models become more advanced, it becomes harder to differentiate quality responses from artful bullsh*t.

As large language models become more advanced, it becomes harder to differentiate quality responses from artful bullsh*t.

Decision-Making

Are Your Beliefs Genuine or Bullsh*t?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on January 6, 2025

We possess a variety of beliefs, but they aren't all the same. What differentiates them, and how genuine they are?

We possess a variety of beliefs, but they aren't all the same. What differentiates them, and how genuine they are?

Bias

Confirmation May Be the Root of Most Biases

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on December 2, 2024

Biases stem from fundamental beliefs and context. Learn how these beliefs shape reasoning, why debiasing fails, and what it takes to challenge them effectively.

Biases stem from fundamental beliefs and context. Learn how these beliefs shape reasoning, why debiasing fails, and what it takes to challenge them effectively.

Heuristics

Yes, It Really Does Hurt to Think

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on November 4, 2024

Be strategic about when you can settle for good enough.

Be strategic about when you can settle for good enough.

Artificial Intelligence

Integrating AI Into Work: Start-Ups May Have an Advantage

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on October 1, 2024

AI offers potential value for organizations. But might start-ups be in the best position to capitalize on this new technology?

AI offers potential value for organizations. But might start-ups be in the best position to capitalize on this new technology?

Bias

Why Science Needs Human Experience

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on September 2, 2024

Without human experience, there is no science. Acknowledging the interplay between the two is essential to benefitting from scientific evidence.

Without human experience, there is no science. Acknowledging the interplay between the two is essential to benefitting from scientific evidence.

Workplace Dynamics

Managing Demand for Remote Work: Shadow Policies in 2024

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on August 5, 2024

Many companies have instituted in-office requirements. But might managers and employees find workarounds to these?

Many companies have instituted in-office requirements. But might managers and employees find workarounds to these?

Decision-Making

Navigating the Landscape of Unintended Consequences

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on July 8, 2024

Many decisions we make come with unintended consequences. But some may be more knowable and avoidable than others.

Many decisions we make come with unintended consequences. But some may be more knowable and avoidable than others.

Time Management

Time Poverty: Myths, Facts, and Solutions

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on June 3, 2024

Explore the myths and facts of time poverty. Discover practical tips to manage time effectively and reduce stress in our busy modern lives.

Explore the myths and facts of time poverty. Discover practical tips to manage time effectively and reduce stress in our busy modern lives.

Ethics and Morality

Scientists Possess Inflated Views of Their Own Ethics

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on May 6, 2024

How well do scientists know how effectively they apply research ethics? Probably not so well, but that should come as no surprise.

How well do scientists know how effectively they apply research ethics? Probably not so well, but that should come as no surprise.

Confidence

The Hidden Dangers of Expert Overconfidence

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on April 1, 2024

Are experts more confident in what they know than what they don't? Yes, but it's not so clear-cut.

Are experts more confident in what they know than what they don't? Yes, but it's not so clear-cut.

Happiness

Fake It Til You Make It: The Overhyped World of Happiness

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on March 4, 2024

There are lots of ways to purportedly improve one's happiness. But do any of them actually work?

There are lots of ways to purportedly improve one's happiness. But do any of them actually work?

Bias

Is Bias in AI Necessarily a Problem?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on February 5, 2024

The answer largely depends on the source of the bias and its impact on accuracy.

The answer largely depends on the source of the bias and its impact on accuracy.

Artificial Intelligence

Should We Use AI to Personalize Our Options?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on January 8, 2024

Using artificial intelligence to serve consumers with perfectly personalized options sounds great, but there may be some unexpected downsides.

Using artificial intelligence to serve consumers with perfectly personalized options sounds great, but there may be some unexpected downsides.

Artificial Intelligence

Prediction Based on Past Data Has Its Limits

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on December 12, 2023

Artificial intelligence relies on past data to predict future outcomes, but if parameters change, so does prediction accuracy.

Artificial intelligence relies on past data to predict future outcomes, but if parameters change, so does prediction accuracy.

Unconscious

Is Intuition Actually Unconscious?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on November 6, 2023

Is all decision-making conscious? A recent article claims yes, but the evidence is less overwhelming.

Is all decision-making conscious? A recent article claims yes, but the evidence is less overwhelming.

Bias

Action vs. Status Quo: Which Is More Problematic?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on October 3, 2023

The action and status quo biases can both affect our decision-making. Each offers benefits in some situations, but both come with tradeoffs.

The action and status quo biases can both affect our decision-making. Each offers benefits in some situations, but both come with tradeoffs.

Happiness

Is There More to a "Good Life" Than Happiness and Meaning?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on September 5, 2023

Recent articles have argued that we can obtain a good life without happiness and meaning. But does the evidence actually suggest this?

Recent articles have argued that we can obtain a good life without happiness and meaning. But does the evidence actually suggest this?

Career

Pay vs. Flexibility: The Decision-Making Conundrum

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on August 3, 2023

Many articles pit flexibility against pay and claim the former is more important to workers than the latter. But that likely isn't the case because both can be valued.

Many articles pit flexibility against pay and claim the former is more important to workers than the latter. But that likely isn't the case because both can be valued.