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Why Myths Persist

Posted by kdawson on from the say-it-first-and-say-it-loud dept.

lottameez recommends an article in the Washington Post about recent research into the persistence of myths. In short: once a myth has been put out there (e.g., "Saddam Hussein plotted the 9/11 attacks"), denying it can paradoxically reinforce its staying power. Ignoring it doesn't work either — a claim that is unchallenged gains the ring of truth. Over time, "negation tags" fall out of memory: "Saddam didn't plan 9/11" becomes "Saddam planned 9/11." From the article: "The conventional response to myths and urban legends is to counter bad information with accurate information. But the new psychological studies show that denials and clarifications, for all their intuitive appeal, can paradoxically contribute to the resiliency of popular myths... The research is painting a broad new understanding of how the mind works. Contrary to the conventional notion that people absorb information in a deliberate manner, the studies show that the brain uses subconscious 'rules of thumb' that can bias it into thinking that false information is true. Clever manipulators can take advantage of this tendency."

7 of 988 comments (clear)

  1. Astounding! by vrmlguy · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is the most amazing thing I've seen since I founded Slashdot.

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    Nothing for 6-digit uids?
  2. Saddam by iogan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wait, you mean Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11? Then why did you guys invade Iraq?

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    Nyhetsankaret.com -- det bÃsta av Sveriges Nyhetssido
  3. A rather appropriate XKCD... by SEMW · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Conspiracy Theories"

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    What's purple and commutes? An Abelian grape.
  4. So instead of by moshennik · · Score: 3, Funny

    "I have never had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. I've never had an affair with her." He should have just said "I went to lunch with my wife.. we had a cigar".

  5. Re:Some unexpected examples.... by 0123456789 · · Score: 5, Funny

    We haven't fought a victorious full-scale battle on our own since the Civil War.


    Kind of hard to lose that one, don't you think?

  6. Re:Biggest myths of all have been around for ages. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny


    There are many decent arguments both for and against the veracity of religion

    Please list your arguments for religion. I'll start for you:

    1 The Bible says so!

  7. Our credulity is not surprising... by Peter+Trepan · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...given the fact that we only use ten percent of our brains. :)

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    Step into a huge movement. Don't Tread In Me.