In the book, Loserthink: How Untrained Brains Are Ruining America, Scott Adams analyzed and discussed ways to teach us how to eliminate our biases and to sharpen our ability to think critically.

These are some of my favorite quotes and takeaways from reading the book.

Here are tips on how we can help others break out of their mental prison.

What to watch out for: The Magic Question

“State ONE thing you believe on this topic that you think I do NOT believe.”

“Don’t play Whack-A-Mole with people who have laundry lists of reasons supporting their hallucinations. Ask for their strongest point only, and debunk it if you can. Target their undue confidence, not their entire laundry list.”

What to watch out for: Pacing

“Agree with people as much as you can without lying, and you will be in a better position to persuade.”

What to watch out for: Define the Weeds

“Don’t argue in the weeds of a debate. Dismiss the trivial stuff and concentrate on the variables that matter. That gives you the high ground.”

What to watch out for: Describe the Long Term

“Ask people with opposing opinions to describe what the future would look like if their view of the world were to play out. Does it sound reasonable?”

What to watch out for: Calling Out the Mind Reading

“The best way to avoid the mind reading illusion is to look for it in others. That will prime you to better catch yourself when you do your own mind reading.”

What to watch out for: Framing Issues

“You can’t get the right answer until you frame the question correctly. And partisans rarely do.”

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