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It’s so easy to dismiss people who act or think differently than you. But my favourite stories to read are always the ones that ask why things or people are the way they are with a genuine curiosity. Conspiracy theories expert Darel Cookson has spent much of her career trying to understand the psychology behind them. And she’s found that it has a lot to do with people’s thinking style.
What’s known as intuitive thinking is closely linked to creativity and can be useful in crisis situations. But it can also make you more prone to thinking errors, and a preference for this style can make people more susceptible to conspiracy theories. This means understanding different thinking styles could be useful in helping combat the spread of such theories.
Also today, we hear about research into floating cities that are being built for tourists and the super rich while rising sea levels are flooding the homes of the less well off. And if you find yourself struck with envy when you see photos of friends or neighbours relaxing in hot tubs, here’s one reason to stop feeling jealous: they are breeding grounds for some really nasty germs.
If you’re a fan of cutting-edge debate and putting ideas at the centre of public life then you won’t want to miss HowTheLightGetsIn, the world’s largest ideas and music festival this spring. Returning to Hay-on-Wye from 24-27 May, the event will convene world-leading thinkers and Nobel Prize winners, including David Petraeus, Gillian Tett, Roger Penrose, Daniel Dennett, Peter Singer and Sophie Scott-Brown.
A remedy to online echo-chambers, the festival unites speakers across disciplines to chart tangible solutions to the crises of our era. And don’t miss The Conversation’s event at the festival on Sunday 26th May, with our very own commissioning editor Avery Anapol delving into whether “meaningful work” exists in today’s age. We’re delighted to offer 20% off tickets with code CONVO24. Get discounted tickets here.
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