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See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

Criticizing is easy and pleasant, especially when a person is wrong. Angry condemnation, public ridicule, and debunking propaganda, conspiracy theories, incorrect treatment methods, and misconceptions seem important and useful.  But is that really so? Real facts and observations suggest the opposite. By ridiculing and criticizing, we spread harmful ideas and memes and make their supporters even more convinced of them.   1. Reinforcing misconceptions.   Research shows that after people encounter opposing views, opponents often become even more firmly entrenched in their original views. Especially if it happened publicly, confrontationally, and with ridicule. As Juvenal correctly noted long ago, “opinions are like nails: the more you hammer them, the deeper they sink.” Therefore, you did not ridicule the lie—you only convinced the other person even more that they are right. 2. Spreading lies.   The more often you reproduce lying memes, the more widely they spread. Tha...
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How social status affects health and longevity

Social Status: The Numbers Tell the Story Social status — a person’s position in society — is one of the most powerful and least discussed determinants of health and lifespan. The data are unambiguous and span every domain of achievement: Olympic champions live 2.8–3 years longer than other Olympic participants. Nobel laureates live 1.4–2 years longer than scientists who were merely nominated but did not receive the prize, and 6–8 years longer than the average scientist. Academy Award winners live 4 years longer than other professional actors. Among academics, holders of doctoral degrees outlive candidates, and candidates outlive those without advanced degrees.  These are not comparisons between healthy and unhealthy people, or between rich and poor people. They are comparisons within elite populations — people with access, education, and resources — where the single varying factor is rank . The conclusion is unavoidable: status itself changes biology. Status Anxiety...
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