Wired to Believe, True or Not

The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell
Atria/One Signal Publishers, April 9, 2024

The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell chronicles trends of behavior that she has noticed in our modern world and the cognitive biases that influence those behaviors. With chapters on everything from the halo effect and Taylor Swift to the IKEA effect and AI art, Montell touches on topics that will feel relevant to educators. The book is filled with potent observations, such as the tangible effects of idolizing celebrities instead of close adults, or the ways that the human brain is wired to believe things it has heard multiple times whether they are true or not. Montell’s observations about belonging, the role of AI, fact-checking, and public discourse common in many educational settings feel timely and interesting. This book might help educators think about the environments and mindsets of their students (and themselves!); additionally, its chapters could also be compellingly used with high school students to unpack issues of language, communication, society, and technology. Each chapter blends research, anecdotes, and observations, making this a quick and potent read with sections that can stand together or alone.