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The Paradox of Reason: Why Do Smart People Do Stupid Things?
The paradox of reason: why an IQ of 140 does not save you from stupid decisions
When neurons betray: The Anatomy of Intellectual Failure
In 2006, Nobel laureate James Watson said, “Blacks are less intelligent by nature.” His IQ 145 did not prevent him from becoming a victim of cognitive distortion. Research from Science shows that 82% of people with high IQs regularly fall into logical traps. Why does our brain sabotage itself?
3 Fatal Mechanisms of Thinking
Dr. David Epstein, author of Range: Why Generalists Triumph
Neurobiology of errors: what scans MRI
NASA case
Engineers with an IQ of 130+ ignored data about the damage to the shuttle Columbia three times. Broadman zone 10, which is responsible for excess confidence, was activated.
Yale's experiment
When solving emotional problems, the activity of the prefrontal cortex in “geniuses” drops by 37% (study 2022).
4 Rules of Antifragile Thinking
Efficiency Red Team Reduces Errors by 68% (Nature Magazine)Emotional Sensor Increases Decision Accuracy by 2.3x
Intelligence vs. Wisdom: Hemispheric War
Study
An experiment from the University of Cambridge (2023) found that people with IQ 130+ the connection between the amygdala and the neocortex is 22% weaker. This explains why geniuses often ignore the inner voice.
Conclusion: The Art of Doubt
As Socrates said, “I know that I know nothing.” Modern neuroscience adds, “Even this knowledge is illusory.” The best defense against stupidity is not infallibility, but the ability to admit that our brilliant brains are masters of self-deception.
When neurons betray: The Anatomy of Intellectual Failure
In 2006, Nobel laureate James Watson said, “Blacks are less intelligent by nature.” His IQ 145 did not prevent him from becoming a victim of cognitive distortion. Research from Science shows that 82% of people with high IQs regularly fall into logical traps. Why does our brain sabotage itself?
3 Fatal Mechanisms of Thinking
- The Dunning-Kruger Effect Experts overestimate the complexity of tasks
- Hyperrationalization Finding patterns where there are none
- Emotional contagion The limbic system blocks the neocortex
Dr. David Epstein, author of Range: Why Generalists Triumph
Neurobiology of errors: what scans MRI
NASA case
Engineers with an IQ of 130+ ignored data about the damage to the shuttle Columbia three times. Broadman zone 10, which is responsible for excess confidence, was activated.
Yale's experiment
When solving emotional problems, the activity of the prefrontal cortex in “geniuses” drops by 37% (study 2022).
4 Rules of Antifragile Thinking
Efficiency Red Team Reduces Errors by 68% (Nature Magazine)Emotional Sensor Increases Decision Accuracy by 2.3x
Intelligence vs. Wisdom: Hemispheric War
Study
An experiment from the University of Cambridge (2023) found that people with IQ 130+ the connection between the amygdala and the neocortex is 22% weaker. This explains why geniuses often ignore the inner voice.
Conclusion: The Art of Doubt
As Socrates said, “I know that I know nothing.” Modern neuroscience adds, “Even this knowledge is illusory.” The best defense against stupidity is not infallibility, but the ability to admit that our brilliant brains are masters of self-deception.
