Jonas Dalege on the Physics of Attitudes & Beliefs

Explore the fascinating intersection of physics and human behavior in this 48-minute podcast episode featuring Jonas Dalege from the Santa Fe Institute. Delve into how statistical mechanics can be applied to understand the formation and evolution of beliefs and attitudes. Discover the concept of individuals as dynamic networks of opinions and values, constantly balancing internal and external influences. Learn about the role of entropy in belief formation, statistical approaches to ambivalence and cognitive dissonance, and the importance of tolerating ambiguity. Examine the social consequences of minimizing internal conflict and gain insights into the emergence of higher-level behaviors from lower-level interactions. Engage with cutting-edge research that bridges the gap between physics and social psychology, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of human thought and social dynamics.

Intro
Welcome
Backstory
Definition of Attitudes
Attitude Entropy
Icing Model
Wisdom
Social Category Boundaries
Why Persuasion Backfires
Why is this an epidemic
Awkward realities
Cognitive dissonance
A unifying framework
The social contract
The model comparison
Personal narratives