the science of thinking

 https://youtu.be/UBVV8pch1dM?si=tr6GH8NxsDYegwRi

This video talks about how our brains think and why we sometimes make mistakes. The video introduces two characters, System 1 and System 2, to illustrate two different thinking modes.

System 1 is called Gun. It is fast, automatic, and effortless. It makes most of our decisions without us even realizing it. For example, when you read a sentence, Gun automatically fills in the gaps and corrects any errors so that you can understand the meaning.

System 2 is called Drew. It is slow, deliberate, and effortful. It is responsible for complex thinking and reasoning. For example, solving a math problem or making a difficult decision requires Drew's involvement.

The video argues that most of the time, our brains rely on Gun for thinking, which is why we sometimes make mistakes. Gun makes decisions based on shortcuts and heuristics, which can lead to errors. For example, the video mentions a common trick question: a bat and a ball cost $1.10 together, and the bat costs $1 more than the ball. What does the ball cost? Most people will blurt out 10 cents, but the correct answer is 5 cents. Gun jumps to the answer without carefully considering all the information.

The video also explains that Drew is lazy and doesn't like to work hard. So how can we get Drew to work harder? The video suggests a few ways, such as making things difficult to understand. For example, presenting information in a confusing way or using a difficult-to-read font can force Drew to pay more attention and think more carefully. This can lead to better learning and fewer mistakes.

Overall, the video highlights the importance of both Gun and Drew in our thinking process. While Gun's fast and automatic thinking is essential for many everyday tasks, Drew's slow and deliberate thinking is necessary for complex problem-solving and avoiding mistakes.