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I recently read a thought-provoking quote by science fiction author Isaac Asimov. He said, "There's a long history of people in the United States valuing ignorance. This distrust of experts and knowledge has always been present in our politics and culture. It's fueled by the misconception that democracy means everyone's opinion is equally valid, regardless of their knowledge."

This resonated with me, but maybe not for the reasons you might expect. Even though it's 40 years old, it feels relevant today. Do you think there has always been a distrust of expertise, or is it truly worse now? If it is worse, what factors are driving this trend, and how does it impact our society?

Thanks for reading!

📰 News & Notes

Behavioral Scientist’s Summer Book List 2024

The Behavioral Scientist’s Summer Book List 2024 showcases diverse titles exploring AI's potential, economic justice, mental health, AI collaboration, growth mindsets, Bayesian statistics, and more. Themes include technology's impact on society, the importance of growth cultures, and understanding random events. Educators and L&D professionals can find actionable insights on fostering innovation, improving mental health, and enhancing decision-making.

🎯 Take away: Discover new ideas to enrich your teaching and professional L&D practices.

We Learn Faster When We Aren’t Told What Choices to Make

A study by the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research reveals that we learn faster when not directed on what choices to make. This is due to our brain’s inherent biases, such as positivity bias and confirmation bias, which influence learning more from rewards and familiar outcomes. Allowing freedom of choice enhances learning by mitigating these biases, suggesting that autonomy in decision-making is crucial for effective learning experiences.

🎯 Take away: Autonomy in decision-making boosts learning efficiency by reducing cognitive biases.

Everyone is totally just winging it

Oliver Burkeman emphasizes embracing the finite nature of life to enhance productivity and personal growth. Key themes include the power of tolerating discomfort, the importance of prioritizing enlargement over happiness, and recognizing that everyone is improvising in life. Burkeman advises focusing on meaningful activities, accepting time's limitations, and understanding that no one has everything figured out.

🎯 Take away: Embrace life's limits to find true productivity and growth.

🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

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🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

🧳 Where’s Mike?

• Canadian eLearning Conference, Toronto, June 13-14

• Human Risk Management Conference, Online, June 20

• SANS Security Awareness: Managing Human Risk Summit 2024, Online, August 1

• Greater Cincinnati ATD, Online, September 4

• DevLearn, Las Vegas, November 6-8

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