This week’s must-reads: Feeling Unproductive? This Brain Bias Could Be To Blame

Hi Andrea,

In my work as a behavioral designer, I come across important stories on how psychology influences our behavior. Every week, I share my round-up of the most important stories at the intersection of psychology, technology and business. I hope you enjoy them!

When Proof Is Not Enough (FiveThirtyEight) The idea that structural racism can be proven and overcome by gathering just enough or the right kind of evidence is nothing more than a myth.

Why Are Rich People So Mean? (Wired) What if the cold-heartedness so often associated with the upper crust isn’t the result of having been raised by a parade of resentful nannies, but by still feeling unfulfilled?

The best way to exercise self-control is not to exercise it at all (Psyche) If you overwork your self-control muscle, you’ll eventually run out of willpower, and lose the ability to exert self-control.

Feeling Unproductive? This Brain Bias Could Be to Blame (Inc) Bikeshedding is a very sneaky tool your brain uses to keep you stuck, and it’s very common during times of uncertainty.

De-Escalating Social Media (Nick Punt) As designed today, social media is out of balance. It is far easier to escalate than it is to de-escalate.

Reflections From a Token Black Friend (Human Parts) On structural racism, implicit bias, and what white people do (and don’t) say.

Happy reading!

- Nir