Truth is a double edged sword

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854754330601458165.post-72088840200577538022008-06-30T01:59:00.003+08:002008-06-30T02:21:16.964+08:00Truth is a double edged swordAs I continue my search for reasons and truth, perhaps not by coincidence, I stumbled upon an article from the NY Times 27th June, posted on one of my favourite website, <a href="http://richarddawkins.net/">Richard Dawkins</a>. In accordance with my worldview, my conclusion after a brief reading of this article - don't trust anyone - especially be careful trusting yourself and your own enigmatic brain. Entitled <a href="http://richarddawkins.net/articleComments,2792,Your-Brain-Lies-to-You,New-York-Times,page2#201174">"Your Brain Lies to You"</a> "Even if they do not understand the neuroscience behind source amnesia, campaign strategists can exploit it to spread misinformation. They know that if their message is initially memorable, its impression will persist long after it is debunked. In repeating a falsehood, someone may back it up with an opening line like "I think I read somewhere" or even with a reference to a specific source. Adding to this innate tendency to mold information we recall is the way our brains fit facts into established mental frameworks. We tend to remember news that accords with our worldview, and discount statements that contradict it. " ....."Consumers of news, for their part, are prone to selectively accept and remember statements that reinforce beliefs they already hold. In a replication of the study of students' impressions of evidence about the death penalty, researchers found that even when subjects were given a specific instruction to be objective, they were still inclined to reject evidence that disagreed with their beliefs. In the same study, however, when subjects were asked to imagine their reaction if the evidence had pointed to the opposite conclusion, they were more open-minded to information that contradicted their beliefs. Apparently, it pays for consumers of controversial news to take a moment and consider that the opposite interpretation may be true. " Monsoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934267908617858892noreply@blogger.com