Deliberate ignorance or when we (should) choose not to know
We may not always be aware of it, but we all practice deliberate ignorance. In other words, we consciously choose not to seek or use information. This is as true for individuals as it is, for example, for organizations, welfare economics, and law. But where exactly does deliberate ignorance play a role? And when is it a blessing, when a curse? In our feature, we present examples and consider possible implications.
Polarization and mobilization on social media affect infection figures
Measures to contain the Corona pandemic are the subject of politically charged debate and tend to polarize segments of the population. But how exactly do politicization and social mobilization affect the incidence of infection? Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development have examined this question using the USA as an example. The findings were published in Applied Network Science.
How does the brain flexibly process complex information?
Human decision-making depends on the flexible processing of complex information, but how the brain may adapt processing to momentary task demands has remained unclear.
In a new study researchers have now outlined several crucial neural processes revealing that our brain networks may rapidly and flexibly shift from a rhythmic to a “noisy” state when the need to process more information increases.
Feeling Time - How the GDR Sang its Future. A History of Emotions
Citizens of East Germany wanted to use music and lyrical forms to propagate hopes, desires, and visions of socialist Germany’s future and to influence the coming generation on an emotional level. Writing of the GDR as a “modern time regime”, Juliane Brauer tells the story of a promised future and the results of its failure to be realized. The certainty and belief in progress that characterized the beginnings were replaced with mistrust and disappointment over shattered dreams.
Caution – toxic green!
Some plants produce toxins that can make us sick – or even kill us. Thus, a wariness of plants makes sense from an evolutionary point of view, especially for infants and toddlers. Annie Wertz is investigating which behaviors protect children from dangerous plants and how they learn from adults which plants are safe to eat. Read more about this in the current MaxPlanckResearch.
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May 21, 2021
SWR2 Wissen | Das Gehirn altert unabhängig von der Bildung eines Menschen
May 7, 2021
Spiegel online | Bildung schützt nicht vor Schrumpfung des Gehirns
May 6, 2021
heise online | Forscher sehen Zusammenhang zwischen SARS-CoV-2-Infektionen und sozialen Medien
May 3, 2021
Spektrum | Wer traut wem?
April 25, 2021
Zeit online | "Wir Menschen müssen lernen, mit Unsicherheit zu leben"
April 15, 2021