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Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin on Why We're Hard Wired to Believe Lies

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 (Photo: Peter Prato)

Facebook came under fire last month when critics claimed that fake news circulating on its site may have tipped the election in favor of Donald Trump. But neuroscientist Daniel Levitin says it’s easy to fall for falsehoods because our brains are hard wired to cling to past beliefs, even in the face of overwhelming proof to the contrary. “We can reform the way we think, but we have to want to,” he said. In his new book, “A Field Guide to Lies,” Levitin talks about the crucial role of critical thinking and seeking out the truth in today’s media landscape.

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Guests:

Daniel Levitin, author, "A Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking in the Information Age"; dean of social sciences, Minerva Schools in San Francisco

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