In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Dr. Andy Norman, researcher, public philosopher, and author of “Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think” and one of the founders of the Mental Immunity Project on how to boost your mental immunity by protecting yourself and guarding against infectious ideas and mind parasites.
Dr. Norman explains how the mind like the body has an immune system and how we can immunize ourselves against flawed thinking, biases, and conspiracy theories. Through mind inoculation, we can also prepare for upcoming or anticipated false narratives and prebunk them (i.e. debunk them in advance) so we have better protection and guardrails against disinformation and misinformation as demonstrated in the case of the Biden administration and the invasion of Ukraine.
Since the advent of the European enlightenment, we have become somewhat more rational in our outlook and have been less prone to fall for dangerous superstitions like witchcraft, while also being a bit more able to modify and regulate emotions via our reflective and thoughtful selves. In addition, we need to have intellectual humility, open-mindedness, and curiosity and not be overconfident as this could comprise our ability to separate fact from fiction. In such cases, doubts are our mind’s antibodies, but if they are prevalent, they can derail us by making us too rigid and biased in our thinking.
Finally, we also discuss the inherent dangers of generative AI with deep fakes that could mislead many users and viewers and also how technology with its algorithm of increased engagement and profiteering may contribute to more extreme and radical thinking. Yet, if we immerse ourselves in healthy practices, infuse our thinking with reasonable doubt, and take advantage of projects like mental immunity, we can come out stronger and more resilient.
Going with the Flow: Sheila Winter Wallace on Connecting and Integrating the Body with the Spirit
Gary Laney on How to Become a Super Leader with Many Hats through Mindset, Practice, Hard Work, and Dedication
Timeless Presidential Leadership Advice: Lessons We Can Learn From Top American Presidents with Talmage Boston
The Corky Lee Story: The Art of Photography, Photographic Justice & Social Change with Documentary Filmmaker Jennifer Takaki
Keys to Fulfillment and Happiness: Rabbi Jeffrey Katz on Divine Overflow and Transformational Rules for Living According to Maimonides
You Being You: Fostering Healthy Relationships and The Joy of Imperfect Love with Dr. Carla Marie Manly
The Interconnected Intricacies of History: James Swanson on the Historical Details of the Deerfield Massacre
People Making History: Lord Conrad Black on Leaders and Political and Strategic World History
Finding Healing and Alignment across Mind, Heart and Spirit with Spiritual Healing Coach Alison Davies
The Instant Anxiety Solution: Simple and Practical Tips and Strategies to Deal with Anxiety with Michelle Biton
Happy Children Don’t Make Wars: Dreamlike Consciousness of Birth Trauma, the Prenatal Experience, Psychoanalysis and Lived Life with Dr. Ludwig Janus
Circles of Healing and Hope for Peace in the Middle East with Therapist and Author Nitsan Joy Gordon
Lift Yourself Up to Draw All Things Toward You: Reverend James Parker on Visualizing and Igniting the Wealth Spark for Personal and Professional Abundance and Success
You Just Had To Be There: Radhia Gleis on Cults and Cult Leaders, the ”Holy Hell” Documentary and the Netflix Series
Come Forth like Lazarus and Embrace the Miracle of Life with Reverend James Martin
Psychoanalysis as a Playground for Healing: Working with Children, Adolescents, and Technology with Sigourney Award Recipient Virginia Ungar
Alienation and Lingering Effects and Trauma that Bad Parenting Can Cause in Children with Lisa Goodpaster
Be Different and Think for Yourself: On Psychoanalysis, the History of Brainwashing and Thought Control with Sigourney Award Winner Daniel Pick
Attaining Optimal Health, Maximising our Potential and Unleashing our Superpower with Biohacker and Coach Dr. Mike Van Thielen
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Good Mood Revolution
Your Sleep Guru Podcast
Anxiety Slayer™ with Shann and Ananga
Men Do Talk Podcast
The Dr. John Delony Show
On Purpose with Jay Shetty