Recent political psychology research has found that people are more likely to unite around their dislike for an opposing political party than their love for their own party due to a negativity bias. This was explored in Roy Dammeister's book "The Power of Bad."
The podcast discusses the significance of considering that the concepts your brain has constructed may not be the full picture, and that rationality is not the absence of emotion.
The hosts discuss the tendency of people to focus on negative feedback they receive rather than positive, and why it's important to seek out positive feedback to foster growth.
The idea of positive thinking has become so popular that researchers and professors are now discussing the potential negative effects of this mindset on the brain, including what has been dubbed "toxic positivity". While it's important to have a positive bias, it's equally important to have accurate thinking to avoid potential negative consequences.
The podcast speakers discuss the difference between a politician changing their position on an issue for the sake of political gain versus genuinely reevaluating and evolving their beliefs. They note the value of public figures openly admitting when they've changed their minds and why it's liberating for both the individual and society as a whole.
This podcast episode discusses the practice of opposition research and how it is used as a basis for journalism, with a focus on the lack of thorough investigation it may lead to at times.