Dec. 8, 2025

The Illusion of Control: 7 Ways we lie to ourselves that even defeated Napoleon - [Cognitive Biases #5]

The Illusion of Control: 7 Ways we lie to ourselves that even defeated Napoleon - [Cognitive Biases #5]

How the mind blinds us to reality by showing us what we want to believe.

We don't see with our eyes; we see with our stories. In 1951, psychologists proved that fans from opposing teams physically saw different fouls during the same game. This is the power and danger of perception.

It is the tension between what is real and what we believe is possible. When a doctor gives a patient a placebo, the patient heals not because of medicine, but because of the story of the medicine.

In this episode, we explore the cognitive biases that shape our culture and our work. From the "Baader-Meinhof" phenomenon to the tragedy of Napoleon’s retreat, we examine how our perceptions limit our possibilities.

Actionable Takeaways:

  • Change the narrative: Use the Placebo Effect to create positive outcomes through the power of expectation.

  • See the system: Recognize how the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon highlights opportunities you previously ignored.

  • Reframing value: Use the Contrast Effect to understand how relative comparison dictates the worth of your work.

Go make a ruckus by changing how you choose to see the world around you.



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CHAPTERS

00:00 The Historic Football Game

01:35 Selective Perception in Politics

02:26 Reality Distortion Fields

04:13 Napoleon's Rise and Fall

05:58 The Exposure Effect

09:06 The Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon

11:26 The Placebo Effect

15:57 The Illusion of Control

19:04 Napoleon's Russian Campaign

21:29 The Clustering Illusion

25:34 The Contrast Effect

30:03 Reflections on Cognitive Biases

33:09 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

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