YANSS 136 – Why solving problems can make those problems seem impossible to solve

In this episode we explore prevalence induced concept change with psychologist David Levari.

In a nutshell, when we set out to change the world by reducing examples of something we have deemed problematic, and we succeed, a host of psychological phenomena can mask our progress and make those problems seem intractable — as if we are only treading water when, in fact, we’ve created the change we set out to make.

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Links and Sources

Download – iTunes – Stitcher – RSS – Soundcloud

Previous Episodes

David Levari’s website

Why The World Is Getting Better And Why Hardly Anyone Knows It

John Gray: Steven Pinker is wrong about violence and war

Poll about the world getting better

The problem with solving problems

Papers mentioned: