The big idea: the simple trick that can sabotage your critical thinking

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the concept of "thought-terminating cliches" - catchy platitudes that are used to shut down independent thinking and questioning. It explores how these cliches are weaponized by various groups, from politicians to wellness influencers, to dismiss dissent and rationalize flawed arguments. The article also delves into the psychological and cognitive biases that make these cliches effective, such as the illusory truth effect, and provides strategies for combating their influence.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Concept of Thought-Terminating Cliches

1. What is the definition of a "thought-terminating cliche" according to the article?

• A thought-terminating cliche is a catchy platitude aimed at shutting down or bypassing independent thinking and questioning, as defined by psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton.

2. What are some examples of thought-terminating cliches provided in the article?

• Examples include "It is what it is", "Boys will be boys", "Everything happens for a reason", "Don't overthink it", "Reality is subjective", "Don't let yourself be ruled by fear", and "Truth is a construct".

3. How do thought-terminating cliches function, according to the article?

• Thought-terminating cliches compress complex human problems into "brief, highly selective, definitive-sounding phrases, easily memorized and easily expressed", which can then be used to dismiss dissent or rationalize flawed arguments.

[02] The Prevalence and Use of Thought-Terminating Cliches

1. Where do the author claim thought-terminating cliches are commonly found?

• The author states that thought-terminating cliches are found in televised political debates, motivational posters, social media posts, and everyday conversations.

2. How do different groups use thought-terminating cliches, according to the article?

• The article states that populist politicians, holistic wellness influencers, and online conspiracy theorists all use thought-terminating cliches to dismiss followers' dissent or rationalize flawed arguments.

3. What examples of thought-terminating cliches are provided from other languages and cultures?

• The article mentions the Chinese phrase "Mei banfa" (meaning "No solution" or "There's nothing to be done"), the Japanese phrase "Shouganai" (similar to "It is what it is"), and the Polish idiom "Co wolno wojewodzie, to nie tobie, smrodzie" (roughly meaning "People in positions of power can get away with anything").

[03] The Psychology and Cognitive Biases Behind Thought-Terminating Cliches

1. What is the "illusory truth effect" and how does it contribute to the effectiveness of thought-terminating cliches?

• The illusory truth effect is a cognitive bias that causes people to unconsciously trust a statement simply because they have heard it multiple times, even when they are warned about the bias or told the source is untrustworthy.

2. How do factors like repetition, font, and rhyme affect the perceived truthfulness of a statement, according to the article?

• The article states that people perceive statements as more believable when they are presented in easy-to-read fonts, easy-to-understand speech styles (like rhyme), and when they are repeated multiple times.

3. What strategies does the article suggest for combating the influence of thought-terminating cliches?

• The article suggests that we can harness the power of repetition, rhyme, pleasing graphics, and humor to spread accurate information and create our own "catchy phrases" to compete with thought-terminating cliches.