Are people too quick to jump too conclusions?

[stan1980]

I was watching this TV programme the other day:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=derren+brown+messiah&emb=0&aq=0&oq=derren+brown+m#

Probably some of you have seen it already, it's in 8 parts but very interesting.

I think it really does highlight the fact that a lot of us will believe something we see and jump to a conclusion without questioning it. Every single person in the video who was asked for a recommendation, saw something and jumped to a conclusion (the wrong conclusion), and didn't even question it or ask if it was for real. They were too willing to believe.

Is that one of human's greatest flaws? Are we too easily fooled? Do we not ask enough questions?

 

[kellyc]

i watched the first video, but i don't have time to watch them all. which one is where 'he converts people to christianity with a touch' which doesn't really make any sense to me at all.

 

[Belk]

I didn't read the OP, but yes.

 

[pgp_protector]

He's a cool Magician

 

[kellyc]

he looks pretty cool and he fooled the psychics.

 

[cantata]

I saw him live! He was amazing.

/fangirl

 

[jayem]

I couldn't watch it all, but most of this illustrates confirmation bias. Many, probably most people easily accept explanations or phenomena that are in accord with their preconceived notions. It can be a real problem is scientific studies. The famous Piltdown Man hoax was accepted because it confirmed the conventional wisdom held by many anthropologists of the day. And we see this constantly in the CF political forums. Those having strong partisan leanings towards one candidate will latch on tenaciously to any remark, any action, even any rumor or hearsay--whether true or not--which might portray the opposing candidate unfavorably. The absurdly silly things people will believe about the candidate they don't like becomes ludicrous at times. But it shows how powerful is our tendency to believe what we want to believe.

 

[DarkCoffeeJazz]

I couldn't watch it all, but most of this illustrates confirmation bias. Many, probably most people easily accept explanations or phenomena that are in accord with their preconceived notions. It can be a real problem is scientific studies. The famous Piltdown Man hoax was accepted because it confirmed the conventional wisdom held by many anthropologists of the day. And we see this constantly in the CF political forums. Those having strong partisan leanings towards one candidate will latch on tenaciously to any remark, any action, even any rumor or hearsay--whether true or not--which might portray the opposing candidate unfavorably. The absurdly silly things people will believe about the candidate they don't like becomes ludicrous at times. But it shows how powerful is our tendency to believe what we want to believe.

Terry Goodkind said it simpler in "Wizard's First Rule"...
"People are stupid. They will believe anything either because they want to, or they fear it may be true."

Best paraphrase, anyway. Yes it's a fiction book, but I find that one quote to have some truth to it.