Shankar Vedantam

Use the subject line, breakups.

Again, that's ideas at hiddenbrain.org.

After the break, our popular segment, Your Questions Answered.

Cognitive scientist Phil Fernback returns to the show to respond to your thoughts and questions about what's known as the illusion of knowledge.

You're listening to Hidden Brain.

I'm Shankar Vedanta.

I'm Shankar Vedanta.

Our minds are complex organs that can process extraordinary amounts of information.

Using the superpower, humans have achieved incredible feats.

We've harnessed electricity, eradicated diseases, and flown to the moon.

But all these accomplishments are largely the creations of experts.

Most of us couldn't design a spaceship or a new vaccine.

In fact, how many of us even know how a light bulb produces light?

Or how music is piped into our earbuds?

Or, as we discussed in a recent episode, how a toilet works?

Put another way, we're very smart as a species, but not so smart on our own.

At the University of Colorado Boulder, cognitive scientist Phil Fernback says this paradox is at the heart of humanity.

We recently talked with Phil in an episode titled, How Much Do We Really Know?

Today, we welcome Phil back to answer your questions about knowledge, ignorance, and why the people who are least informed are often those who sound the most confident.

Phil Fernback, welcome back to Hidden Brain.