is pretty much available at the click of a button.

是幾乎可以一鍵搞定的。

We've never had access to so much information.

我們從來沒有接觸過這麼多的資訊。

But not all of what's out there is quite what it seems.

但並不是所有的東西都像它看起來那樣。

So here's a few strategies to navigate your way through.

所以，這裡有幾個策略可以為你導航。

And avoid falling out with people along the way.

並避免與沿途的人鬧翻。

We all enjoy that sweet dopamine hit of feeling like we're right.

我們都很享受那種甜蜜的多巴胺衝擊，感覺自己是對的。

In repeated experiments, psychologists have shown

在反覆的實驗中，心理學家表明

we're much more likely to accept something as evidence

人云亦云

if it confirms what we already think we know.

如果它證實了我們已經認為我們知道的東西。

And much more likely to discount information

而且更容易對資訊打折扣

if it contradicts our views.

如果它與我們的觀點相悖。

It's what's known as “confirmation bias”.

這就是所謂的 "確認偏差"。

It's one of the key “cognitive biases” that humans have,

這是人類重要的 "認知偏差 "之一。

and it operates at an unconscious level -

而且它是在無意識的層面上運作的------------------------。

affecting our ability to process information.

影響我們處理資訊的能力。

This is especially true for issues which are emotionally charged,

尤其是對於那些情緒化的問題，更是如此。

or where our views are deeply held.

或我們的觀點深入人心的地方。

But it can come into play at any time.

但它可以隨時發揮作用。

So don't rush to decide,

所以不要急於決定。

and be actively prepared to change your mind.

並積極準備改變自己的想法。

So many of our discussions take place on social media platforms

我們的許多討論都是在社交媒體平臺上進行的。

where algorithms reward our desire to see and hear our views confirmed.

其中，算法獎勵我們希望看到和聽到我們的觀點得到證實的願望。

But in life, most situations are nuanced and complicated –

但在生活中，大多數情況都是細微而複雜的--------。

acknowledging that can enrich the way that we view the world.

承認這一點可以豐富我們看待世界的方式。

For example, what colour is the sky? Well, the obvious answer is blue.

比如說，天空是什麼顏色？嗯，答案很明顯是藍色。

But at sunrise or sunset, it can be red.

但在日出或日落時，它可以是紅色的。

On a cold misty morning, white or grey.

在一個寒冷的霧霾的早晨，白色或灰色。

At night, midnight blue or black.

夜晚，午夜的藍色或黑色。

But imagine for a moment the blue of the sky on a sunny day.

但想象一下晴天的天空的藍色。

Is it really blue?

真的是藍色的嗎？

The colour blue has a short wavelength,

藍色的波長很短。

meaning it scatters more than other colours -

意味著它比其他顏色更容易散射--

making it more visible to the human eye.

使人的眼睛更容易看到。

So the sky looks blue to us humans,

所以在我們人類看來，天空是藍色的。

even though there's a whole spectrum of colours out there.

即使有一個完整的光譜的顏色在那裡。

Even something that seems totally self-evident

即使是一些看起來完全不言自明的事情

can be more nuanced than you think.

可以比你想象的更細微。

One approach to, well, arguing,

一種方法，就是爭論。

is to let go of the idea of being “right”.

就是要放下 "對 "的想法。

Or at least seriously consider that you might actually be wrong.

或者至少認真考慮一下，你可能真的錯了。

Putting yourself in the other person's shoes

設身處地為對方著想。

can lead to much more productive outcomes.

可以帶來更多的成果。

Really try to understand where the other person is coming from.

真正試著去了解對方的來歷。

It's what's called “intellectual empathy”.

這就是所謂的 "智力共鳴"。

It can be challenging, but that's the point.

這可能是一個挑戰，但這是重點。

This can only work when both parties are engaging in good faith.

只有在雙方都是善意參與的情況下，這種做法才能奏效。

Arguing just to waste somebody's time,

爭論只是為了浪費別人的時間。

known online as “sea lioning”,

網上稱為 "海獅"。

not only makes you that guy or girl people avoid at parties,

不僅讓你成為人們在聚會上避開的那個男人或女孩。

but we are intellectually, socially and politically worse off for it.

但我們在智力上、社會上和政治上都是以而變得更糟。

It's more important than ever

現在比以前更重要

to know where your information is coming from.

以瞭解您的資訊來自哪裡。

That sciency-looking graph about the dangers of feral Dalmatian puppies

那張看起來很科學的圖，是關於野狗達爾馬提亞犬的危害的

might look very convincing, until you dig a little deeper

貌似很有說服力，但如果你不深入瞭解，就不會有這種感覺

and find it was commissioned by fur-coat-coveting

發現是貪戀皮草大衣的人所為。

Disney villain, Cruella de Vil.

迪士尼反派，克魯拉-德-維爾。

Be on the lookout for ulterior motives and vested interests.

要警惕別有用心的人和既得利益者。

Becoming literate in the basics of scientific methodology,

掌握科學方法的基本知識；

the use of data and the way it's presented

數據的使用和數據的呈現方式；

are all weapons in your arsenal when it comes to critical thinking.

在批判性思維方面，都是你武器庫裡的武器。

Whether engaging in online debates or arguing with Uncle Frank,

不管是參與網上辯論，還是和弗蘭克叔叔爭論。

it's very easy to lose our cool and resort to some

很容易失去理智而採取一些

less-than-sound tactics.

不太好的策略。

One common tactic is what philosophers call,

一種常見的策略就是哲學家所說的。

“The Straw Man” fallacy.

"稻草人 "謬論。

Instead of engaging with the actual belief,

而不是參與實際的信仰。

you engage with a caricature.

你從事的是漫畫。

For example, if I said, “I prefer hamsters to gerbils,”

例如，如果我說，"比起沙鼠，我更喜歡倉鼠"

you might respond, “Oh, so you want to drown all gerbils?”

你可能會回答，"哦，所以你想淹死所有沙鼠？"

A viewpoint that's much easier to take down.

一個觀點，更容易被拿下。

Another fallacy is the “ad hominem fallacy”,

另一個謬誤是 "ad hominem謬誤"。

where you discount an argument

貶低論點

because of your opinion of the person making it.

因為你對製作人的看法。

This can lead to ad hominem attacks,

這可能會導致自相殘殺的攻擊。

which is basically Latin for name-calling.

基本上是拉丁文的稱呼。

In that situation, it's fair to say that everybody loses.

在這種情況下，可以說是大家都輸了。

Engaging in critical thinking isn't as fun as picking up a pitchfork,

從事批判性思維並不像拿起叉子那樣有趣。

or feeling like you're fundamentally right.

或覺得自己根本上是對的。

But in the long run, it leads to a more curious,

但從長遠來看，會導致更多的好奇心。

educated and harmonious society,

受教育的和諧社會。

which ultimately is the biggest win of all.

這最終是最大的勝利。