The Journal
Ongoing Research
Essays, evaluations, and observations on the drift of modern institutions.
Emotional Contagion: How Feelings Spread Faster Than Facts
Cognitive Immunity series What Is Emotional Contagion? Emotional contagion is the spread of feelings from one person to another. It...
Read Article The Speed Trap: Why Urgency Kills Thinking
Cognitive Immunity series The Speed Trap Speed feels productive. It feels decisive.It feels necessary. But in many cases, speed replaces...
Read Article Why Repetition Makes Ideas Feel True (The Illusory Truth Effect Explained Simply)
Cognitive Immunity series Why Repetition Changes What We Believe The more often we hear something, the more likely we are...
Read Article The Illusion of Multiple Sources: Why Repetition Feels Like Proof
The Illusion of Multiple Sources When several sources report the same thing, it feels confirmed. It feels verified.It feels settled....
Read Article What Is a “Reliable Source”? (Who Decides—and Why It Matters)
Cognitive Immunity Series What Is a Reliable Source? A reliable source is typically defined as one that is accurate,...
Read Article What Is Cognitive Sovereignty? (The Role of Cognitive Immunity in Independent Thinking)
Cognitive Immunity Series What Is Cognitive Sovereignty? Cognitive sovereignty is the ability to govern one’s own mind. It does not...
Read Article What Is Cognitive Immunity? (Definition, Examples, and Why It Matters)
Cognitive Immunity Series What Is Cognitive Immunity? Cognitive immunity is the mind’s ability to resist manipulation. It is the capacity...
Read Article The Illusion of Consensus — Why We Think “Everyone Believes This”
By Richard P. Weigand Many people believe they form their opinions independently. In reality, we constantly scan the beliefs of...
Read Article The Triangle of Influence — How Ideas Actually Spread
By Richard P. Weigand Many people believe ideas spread because the best arguments win. That sounds reasonable. It is also...
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