When you don’t know the actual, statistical likelihood of something, the brain uses the most readily surfaceable image. This is known as the availability heuristic, and it has been used by politicians to create unrealistic concepts that stick for decades. In light of the current political climate, Anthony and Jeff discuss this phenomenon, and how we can protect ourselves against it.

GET BONUS EPISODES, VIDEO HANGOUTS AND MORE. VISIT: http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns

Get all your sweet We Have Concerns merch by swinging by http://wehaveconcerns.com/shop

Hey! If you’re enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen.

Here’s the iTunes link: http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns And here’s the Stitcher link: http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc

Jeff on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jeffcannata

Anthony on Twitter: http://twitter.com/acarboni

Today’s story: http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2017/02/the-bias-that-trump-like-reagan-uses-to-fool-america.html

If you’ve seen a story you think belongs on the show, send it to [email protected] or leave it on the subreddit:http://reddit.com/r/wehaveconcern

Support the show and get bonus episodes, videos, Discord community access and more! http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns

Jeff on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcannata.bsky.social
Anthony on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/acarboni.bsky.social