Ep 186: "Why We Believe What We Believe, In an Age of Hyper Misinformation" with Matthew Facciani

Ever wonder why smart people fall for (mis) or disinformation—and why it’s so hard to change someone’s mind? In this episode, Rob visits with Matthew Facciani, accomplished researcher, Author, podcaster and as Rob calls him, the “Bill Nye the Science Guy” of Social Sciences. They dig into how identity, emotion, and social media collide to shape what we believe. They unpack the rise of polarization, the role of empathy in bridging divides, and how AI is changing our information game. Matthew offers insights on how critical thinking and self-awareness can help us see through the noise and rethink how we engage with the world online and in real life. Feel free to follow and engage with MATTHEW here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewfacciani/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewfacciani/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatthewFacciani/Website: https://www.matthewfacciani.com/ We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Conversation 03:41 Understanding Beliefs and Identity 08:05 The Evolution of Political Polarization 15:21 Factors Contributing to Misinformation 18:24 The Breakdown of Shared Truths 25:03 The Role of Experts in Modern Discourse 29:41 Building Trust in Communication 30:37 The Art of Critical Ignoring 38:51 Understanding Misinformation vs. Disinformation 46:39 The Role of Identity in Belief Formation 53:50 The Complexity of Identity and Connection 56:16 Empathy and Intergroup Contact 58:58 The Role of Third Spaces in Society 01:01:01 The Power of Social Media in Science Communication 01:06:43 AI's Impact on Misinformation 01:11:57 Practical Steps to Combat Misinformation