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Your Brain Lies to You
The NY Times ^ | June 27, 2008 | SAM WANG and SANDRA AAMODT

Posted on 07/01/2008 9:30:03 AM PDT by forkinsocket

FALSE beliefs are everywhere. Eighteen percent of Americans think the sun revolves around the earth, one poll has found. Thus it seems slightly less egregious that, according to another poll, 10 percent of us think that Senator Barack Obama, a Christian, is instead a Muslim. The Obama campaign has created a Web site to dispel misinformation. But this effort may be more difficult than it seems, thanks to the quirky way in which our brains store memories — and mislead us along the way.

The brain does not simply gather and stockpile information as a computer’s hard drive does. Facts are stored first in the hippocampus, a structure deep in the brain about the size and shape of a fat man’s curled pinkie finger. But the information does not rest there. Every time we recall it, our brain writes it down again, and during this re-storage, it is also reprocessed. In time, the fact is gradually transferred to the cerebral cortex and is separated from the context in which it was originally learned. For example, you know that the capital of California is Sacramento, but you probably don’t remember how you learned it.

This phenomenon, known as source amnesia, can also lead people to forget whether a statement is true. Even when a lie is presented with a disclaimer, people often later remember it as true.

With time, this misremembering only gets worse. A false statement from a noncredible source that is at first not believed can gain credibility during the months it takes to reprocess memories from short-term hippocampal storage to longer-term cortical storage. As the source is forgotten, the message and its implications gain strength.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: 2008; barackobama; brain; democrats; electionpresident; lies; nyt; obama; propaganda; propagandawingofdnc
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1 posted on 07/01/2008 9:30:04 AM PDT by forkinsocket
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To: forkinsocket

Earth ain’t round either. It’s shaped like a burrito.


2 posted on 07/01/2008 9:32:21 AM PDT by Natchez Hawk (Penguin evolution is a fib!)
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To: forkinsocket

“Your brain lies to you but the NY Times does not”

WHAT A CROCK!!! ROFL

“Do not trust your eyes, ears and experience, trust the media”

They are getting further out in left field every day.


3 posted on 07/01/2008 9:32:31 AM PDT by xDGx
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To: forkinsocket

But the NYT does not. Just ask them.


4 posted on 07/01/2008 9:32:36 AM PDT by wideawake (Why is it that those who call themselves Constitutionalists know the least about the Constitution?)
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To: forkinsocket

My brain hates me. It continually tortures me.


5 posted on 07/01/2008 9:33:18 AM PDT by wastedyears (Obama is a Texas Post Turtle.)
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To: forkinsocket

Your brain lies to you... and so does Barack Hussien Obama.


6 posted on 07/01/2008 9:33:22 AM PDT by brownsfan (Algore makes P.T. Barnum look like a piker.)
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To: forkinsocket
Even when a lie is presented with a disclaimer, people often later remember it as true.

Leave it to the NYT to tell us how it manufactures lies.

7 posted on 07/01/2008 9:33:37 AM PDT by rabscuttle385 ("Facts are stubborn things." –Ronald Reagan)
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To: forkinsocket

“..10 percent of us think that Senator Barack Obama, a Christian, is instead a Muslim...”

And 100% of Obamaniacs think Obama is the new messiah or savior.

“Father of all lies” is more like it.


8 posted on 07/01/2008 9:33:37 AM PDT by a real Sheila (Just say NObama!)
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To: forkinsocket
"Your Brain Lies to You"

Huh?

You mean when I walk into a room of 100 beautiful women they don't all feverishly want me?

9 posted on 07/01/2008 9:34:06 AM PDT by avacado
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To: forkinsocket

My brain has a much better track record than The New York Times.


10 posted on 07/01/2008 9:34:07 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: forkinsocket

I didn’t know my brain was a Democrat.


11 posted on 07/01/2008 9:35:22 AM PDT by Cyber Liberty (Who would McQueeg rather have mad at him: You or the liberals?)
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To: forkinsocket

12 posted on 07/01/2008 9:35:38 AM PDT by rabscuttle385 ("Facts are stubborn things." –Ronald Reagan)
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To: forkinsocket
Oh this is RICH coming from the NYT! Liars! :-)
13 posted on 07/01/2008 9:36:29 AM PDT by hiredhand
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To: forkinsocket
Oh this is RICH coming from the NYT! Liars! :-)
14 posted on 07/01/2008 9:36:34 AM PDT by hiredhand
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To: forkinsocket
"...Senator Barack Obama, a Christian..."

Uh huh, a "Christian" who went to hate-filled church for 20 years and didn't hear a thing the pastor said.

The New York Times...doing what it does best.

15 posted on 07/01/2008 9:36:54 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: wideawake
you know, they could have used Obama's taglines of "hope" and "change" as a good example of memory without context (or content) but they did not. Wonder why.
Sam Wang, an associate professor of molecular biology and neuroscience at Princeton, and Sandra Aamodt, a former editor in chief of Nature Neuroscience, are the authors of "Welcome to Your Brain: Why You Lose Your Car Keys but Never Forget How to Drive and Other Puzzles of Everyday Life." They wrote this article for the New York Times.
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/22123549.html?page=2&c=y
16 posted on 07/01/2008 9:38:51 AM PDT by xDGx
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To: forkinsocket
Your Brain Lies to You

My brain's democRAT?

17 posted on 07/01/2008 9:39:06 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: wastedyears

I think the PC word for torture is TOURMENT. I heard Nobama use it in a phrase referring to McCain’s experience while a POW. I wanted to throw a rock at the TV! Man this guy is way out of F#$#$ touch.


18 posted on 07/01/2008 9:41:30 AM PDT by Dadofmany
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To: forkinsocket
Hmmmm...let me see. The NYT continues to peddle the notion that Obambi is a Christian. Let's see whose misremembering:

1) Obama’s “christian” church, which he joined as an adult, is based on Black Liberation Theology, which is a racialist Marxist doctrine, with precious little to do with the Gospels;

2) Until the age of 10, Obama was raised as a Muslim - a fact that the Obama campaign continues to deny despite overwhelming evidence; and

3) Obama’s middle name is Hussein. Hussein is a name that IS ONLY ASSOCIATED WITH MUSLIMS.

Why does the NYT continue to push the falsehood that Obama is a Christian when he is nothing of the sort? And what chutzpah leads them to label as misinformed or ignorant those who have grasped this essential truth about the Democratic nominee?

19 posted on 07/01/2008 9:42:13 AM PDT by mojito
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To: forkinsocket
Eighteen percent of Americans think the sun revolves around the earth, one poll has found.

This is an interoffice poll the author did at work.

Kidding aside, I'd like to see the source for this.

20 posted on 07/01/2008 9:43:06 AM PDT by Damifino (The true measure of a man is found in what he would do if he knew no one would ever find out.)
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To: forkinsocket

There isn’t enough evidence to convict Obama of being a Christian.


21 posted on 07/01/2008 9:43:30 AM PDT by proudpapa (McCain-Pawlenty '08)
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To: forkinsocket
“Eighteen percent of Americans think the sun revolves around the earth, one poll has found.”

Another poll found those 18% were RATS that voted for Hillary. The other 82% of RATS now think it revolves around Osama Obama.

22 posted on 07/01/2008 9:45:47 AM PDT by Beagle8U (FreeRepublic -- One stop shopping ....... Its the Conservative Super WalMart for news .)
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To: forkinsocket

The megawatts of media energy pumping into the “Obama is a CHRISTIAN!” campaign could power Al Gore’s mansion for a month and half.


23 posted on 07/01/2008 9:46:21 AM PDT by Califelephant
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To: forkinsocket
Cool example of your brain lying to you.
I promise you that the 2 squares the letters A and B are on are the EXACT shade of gray.
If you have a graphic application try it for yourself.

You will be amazed.
24 posted on 07/01/2008 9:52:44 AM PDT by MaryFromMichigan
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To: forkinsocket
Even when a lie is presented with a disclaimer, people often later remember it as true.

For example: Democrats are for the little people. They care about only the little people. Disclaimer: This ad was paid for by a liar/union.

25 posted on 07/01/2008 9:55:18 AM PDT by Jaded ("I have a mustard- seed; and I am not afraid to use it."- Joseph Ratzinger)
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To: forkinsocket

All that to explain why the NYTimes is lying to you about Obama.


26 posted on 07/01/2008 9:55:46 AM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: forkinsocket

But, is Obama even a citizen???


27 posted on 07/01/2008 9:55:51 AM PDT by SMARTY ('At some point you get tired of swatting flies, and you have to go for the manure heap' Gen. LeMay)
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To: forkinsocket

This article is distilled bovine scat. Find the article about the ten seconds. That at least has some laboratory basis.


28 posted on 07/01/2008 9:57:36 AM PDT by RightWhale (I will veto each and every beer)
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To: forkinsocket

I knew this shortly after my brain first told me “She thinks your handsome...” ;-P


29 posted on 07/01/2008 9:58:40 AM PDT by MortMan (Those who stand for nothing fall for anything. - Alexander Hamilton)
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To: forkinsocket
Eighteen percent of Americans think the sun revolves around the earth, one poll has found.

Let's see, some people can not be relied on to act, vote rationally but will rather miscast their ballots based on misinformation?? Surely the only solution to such a state of affairs is to select committee of the enlightened (progressives who can see the TRUTH). This central committee, composed of college professors and New York Times writers, will establish a government that will rule the people for their own good. The leaders of this committee will be called Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSA and will save a fortune on unnecessary elections by ruling the country themselves.

30 posted on 07/01/2008 9:58:40 AM PDT by JimSEA (Kaffur and proud of it.)
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To: Natchez Hawk
Earth ain’t round either. It’s shaped like a burrito.

Is that you, Milo? ;-P

31 posted on 07/01/2008 9:59:22 AM PDT by MortMan (Those who stand for nothing fall for anything. - Alexander Hamilton)
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To: forkinsocket

Obama is either a muslim or an apostate. Muslims are telling me what he is by their attitude toward him.


32 posted on 07/01/2008 10:01:09 AM PDT by mikey_hates_everything
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To: avacado

That ain’t your brain talking...


33 posted on 07/01/2008 10:02:24 AM PDT by Hoffer Rand (0bambi: the audacity of hype)
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To: MortMan
I knew this shortly after my brain first told me “She thinks you're handsome...” ;-P

Ugh...

34 posted on 07/01/2008 10:03:31 AM PDT by MortMan (Those who stand for nothing fall for anything. - Alexander Hamilton)
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To: forkinsocket

What won’t the NY Times do to push Obama on us?


35 posted on 07/01/2008 10:03:36 AM PDT by kenth (Just think, .000001783% of the population is screwing it all up for the rest of us.)
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To: Hoffer Rand
"That ain’t your brain talking..."

Oooh you're right! For a minute there I thought I was lying to myself. All is fine now.

36 posted on 07/01/2008 10:05:52 AM PDT by avacado
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To: MortMan

Sadly, a little more Binkley than Milo, but 100% Steve Dallas.


37 posted on 07/01/2008 10:06:36 AM PDT by Natchez Hawk (Penguin evolution is a fib!)
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To: forkinsocket
Where would anyone get the idea that Obama is a Muslim???? Well, from the New York Times.

“I was a little Jakarta street kid,” he said in a wide-ranging interview in his office (excerpts are on my blog, www.nytimes.com/ontheground). He once got in trouble for making faces during Koran study classes in his elementary school, but a president is less likely to stereotype Muslims as fanatics — and more likely to be aware of their nationalism — if he once studied the Koran with them. Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it’ll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as “one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.” Moreover, Mr. Obama’s own grandfather in Kenya was a Muslim. Mr. Obama never met his grandfather and says he isn’t sure if his grandfather’s two wives were simultaneous or consecutive, or even if he was Sunni or Shiite. (O.K., maybe Mr. Obama should just give up on Alabama.)

http://select.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/opinion/06kristof.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

38 posted on 07/01/2008 10:11:01 AM PDT by camerakid400 (Oy Gevalt)
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To: MaryFromMichigan

Cool!

But it’s not really your brain lying to you — your brain is filling in additional context that it is hardwired to believe is more relevant, i.e., that the “B” square is a lighter shade than the squares around it, despite the shadow cast by the cylinder.

The human eye-brain connection is optimized for recognizing patterns and edges rather than internal details.


39 posted on 07/01/2008 10:15:46 AM PDT by kevkrom (2-D fantasy artists wanted: http://faxcelestis.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=213)
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To: Damifino
Eighteen percent of Americans think the sun revolves around the earth, one poll has found.

I know of one Freeper who believes this.

40 posted on 07/01/2008 10:16:18 AM PDT by GunRunner
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To: forkinsocket
A false statement from a noncredible source that is at first not believed can gain credibility during the months it takes to reprocess memories from short-term hippocampal storage to longer-term cortical storage. As the source is forgotten, the message and its implications gain strength.

In Nytimese that means, we print it and other newspapers pick it up and print it .. and the dummies out there start to believe it -- even though we were the source!

41 posted on 07/01/2008 10:17:19 AM PDT by WilliamofCarmichael (If modern America's Man on Horseback is out there, Get on the damn horse already!)
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Comment #42 Removed by Moderator

To: MaryFromMichigan

Just ran that through photoshop. Very interesting and yes it is true oddly enough.


43 posted on 07/01/2008 10:22:05 AM PDT by Centurion2000 (Beware the fury of the man that cannot find hope or justice.)
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To: Centurion2000

I’ve showed it to some people, slowly dragging the two squares together and they still find it hard to believe!


44 posted on 07/01/2008 10:27:10 AM PDT by MaryFromMichigan
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To: Centurion2000

A quicker way is to just squint. Diminish the surrounding visual cues/context and you can see that they are, in fact the same shade. Very cool visual example.


45 posted on 07/01/2008 10:28:02 AM PDT by rpierce (We have taglines now? :)
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To: forkinsocket

“Are You Going To Believe Your Lying Eyes Or Will You Believe ME!”

Sheesh!!When will they either get over or succumb to their Ivy League delusions!!?


46 posted on 07/01/2008 10:35:53 AM PDT by mo
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To: forkinsocket
Eighteen percent of Americans think the sun revolves around the earth, one poll has found.

I wonder how many of the "enlightened" 82% who knew the earth orbits the sun believe that the sun is at a fixed point in space and never moves. Since everything in the universe is moving, why not have your frame of reference on earth, rather than the nearest star? That would make the statement true.

While I'm poking holes in common science "wisdom", it turns out that lightning bolts are indeed hurled from deep space similar to what the Greeks thought of Zeus doing, and not caused by clouds bumping together as commonly taught.

47 posted on 07/01/2008 10:41:03 AM PDT by dan1123 (If you want to find a person's true religion, ask them what makes them a "good person".)
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To: april15Bendovr
I need to pull that, because its original source, the Detroit News, is a Gannett publication.

Reference.

48 posted on 07/01/2008 10:42:24 AM PDT by Admin Moderator
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To: forkinsocket

Big Brother and the occupation is working overtime.


49 posted on 07/01/2008 10:48:30 AM PDT by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the occupation media.)
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To: forkinsocket

Wow! This reminds me of the “Telling lies is sometimes good” stories in the MSM after Bill Clinton was caught lying about Monica.


50 posted on 07/01/2008 10:57:34 AM PDT by willk
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