Friday Meanderings: Cosmic Life, Exoplanets in Our Backyard, and Cognitive Concepts
This week has me thinking a lot about how people think and the ways that we can allow ourselves to be misled. Our minds are remarkable and yet fallible things. There’s a good reason why every good detective knows that eyewitness testimony must often be considered questionable at best. I decided to explore some of the concepts from psychology about the ways our thinking can sometimes be controlled by what we’ve already seen or what we want to see.
But first, some of the things I’ve got coming up and a couple more readers have shared their requests for support in finding some gainful employment in their next steps!
Journeys
My new course for Atlas Obscura has begun! The course, Cosmic Life: Astrobiology & the Search for Extraterrestrial Life With Dr. Graham Lau, will be a seven week exploration of the breadth of ideas in astrobiology. During our first session, we discussed the concept of nucleosynthesis and addressed the idea that “we are star stuff” (hint hint: we’re not! We are star stuff but also so much more—we are Big Bang stuff and star stuff and supernova stuff and cosmic ray stuff and even atomic bomb stuff…). For our next session, we’ll diving into origins of planets, origins of life, the history of life on Earth, and the amazing light brought into biology through evolutionary theory. While the class has already begun, people can still register and catch up to join in for the second session!
I’m also working on a course on astrobiology through Blue Marble Space and Sciworthy that will launch on our Thinkific page, likely by sometime early next year. Joining in with our courses on scientific writing and ethical frameworks, this new course will be a learn-at-your-own-pace kind of course for those who want a broad overview of astrobiology. From there, we may even create some short courses on specific topics in research and science for those who want some deep dives in specific issues.
I head out soon for Exoplanets in Our Backyard, a meeting taking place in Kentucky that will bring together almost 100 researchers primarily in the realm of exoplanet science to talk about their research and discoveries, as well as the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory. While it’s too late to register and take part in the actual meeting, I’ll be offering a breakdown of the science and what is shared here on The Cosmobiologist sometime in the not-too-distant future.
I’m getting ever more excited to be presenting on The Panzoic Effect and alien life at the XPANSE meeting in Abu Dhabi in a couple of weeks. Their team is preparing graphics and lighting to go along with the talk that should be rather stellar!
Career Corner - Let’s Help Each Other!
The SETI Institute is accepting applications for the Frank Drake Postdoctoral Fellowship, focusing on "Innovation in the Search for Life in the Universe." The Fellowship is a unique opportunity for early career scientists to contribute to fields like Astronomy, Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Exploration, and Technosignatures. Fellows will work alongside top researchers at the SETI Institute, located in Silicon Valley, and have access to world-class facilities.
From one of our readers who is looking for positions: “Currently studying (Undergrad) Biophysics and Astronomical & Planetary Sciences with a focus on space biology, I’m excited to connect with others interested in biology and space sciences. I’m exploring entry-level research roles, internships, and opportunities as a laboratory technician or science communications assistant in the Colorado/Colorado Springs area or remote.” Please let me know if you’d like to share any ideas or contacts!
Ryan Kobrick is on the job hunt: “As many of you know I am passionate about human spaceflight, but equally happy if I can contribute to improving people's lives across the globe. Solving hard engineering problems for extreme environments like space helps us solve them for anywhere on our planet. I'm becoming more interested in the business development side of R&D, and as always, education and outreach for the next generation. I would love to use my creativity in a fun work environment to contribute to society. My eyes are open for opportunities, and I'm hoping to receive help from you opening new doors.” He has a post on LinkedIn where you can reach out with any leads.
Feel free to reach out if you’re looking for a job or know a position that other readers here might want to apply to! We can lift each other up by helping each other find the roles and pathways that will open up our futures together.
Dr. David Grinspoon Shows Some Love for The Panzoic Effect
Those who caught the live episode of Ask an Astrobiologist with David Grinspoon might have caught a few things, from us talking about David’s remarkable books and the recent workshop he led for NASA on the Future of Life, to the Jedi Master robes I was wearing and the alien mask David wore (it was Halloween after all!).
But you hopefully also caught this lovely little nod to The Panzoic Effect from David. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me, as someone who has looked up to David in many ways over the years of my career in astrobiology!
Cognitive Concepts: Limitations to Our Own Clear Thinking
As the dust settles post-election, it’s a good moment to reflect on the quirks and biases in how we think—the invisible gears grinding around in our minds that often mislead us, especially during intense decision-making moments. Election seasons are prime examples of the pitfalls in rational thinking among our fellow crew members of Spaceship Earth.
Why are we so susceptible to logical fallacies and failures in our own metacognition?
Well, for one thing, many people aren’t aware of the variety of issues that come up in our thinking. No one is free from the potential to be lured in by the attraction of feeling right or the allure of seeing connections where none exist.
I thought it might be fun to explore a few of the issues in our cognition that can lead us to believe or assume things that may not be true.
Cognitive Dissonance
This occurs when you experience psychological discomfort from holding two contradictory beliefs or when your behavior conflicts with your values. For example, if you believe in living healthily but skip workouts or eat junk food, it creates tension. To resolve this discomfort, people often adjust their attitudes (“I deserve this cheat day”) or rationalize their actions (“Everyone needs rest sometimes”).
Analogy: Think about times when you’ve made a decision that didn’t align with your values—perhaps staying in a job that no longer inspires you or continuing a habit you’ve been meaning to quit. The emotional tension that arises is cognitive dissonance at play, often either prompting a re-evaluation of beliefs or behaviors or, if you’re not paying attention, causing you to think this new potentially positive behavior is one that you “simply can’t do”.
The Spotlight Effect
We tend to believe that others are paying much more attention to us than they actually are. Whether it's a small mistake or wearing something unusual, we assume others notice and care—but they usually don’t. This bias arises because we are naturally the center of our own world, yet we forget others are preoccupied with their own lives too.
Analogy: Remember times when you’ve obsessed over tripping in public or fumbling your words during a presentation? In hindsight, you likely realize that no one gave it as much thought as you did. This is a good reminder to be kinder to yourself and not let small stumbles affect your confidence.
The Anchoring Effect
This occurs when the first piece of information you encounter heavily influences your judgment, even if it’s unrelated or arbitrary. For instance, if a shirt is originally marked at $100 but on sale for $50, you might perceive it as a great deal—even though $50 might still be expensive for the shirt’s quality. The initial price anchors your perception of the item's value. This is why sales tend to work so well for marketing—a great example is Black Friday “deals” online where some companies arbitrarily set the prices of their products rather high for a few months before Black Friday so that customers think the “sale” value is a good deal without realizing they are falling for a marketing ploy and paying the actual intended price.
Analogy: Think about how first impressions shape your opinions—whether meeting new people or judging opportunities. The first piece of information you receive about someone or something can create an unconscious "anchor" that frames how you interpret future interactions.
The Halo Effect
The halo effect is when a positive impression of one trait influences your perception of unrelated traits. For example, you might assume someone who is physically attractive is also intelligent or kind, even though these qualities are unrelated. This bias often comes into play when forming first impressions or evaluating others. This is why “influencers” who are sponsored to sell products are often rather attractive and may be more likely to feel the drive to use programs to make them look even more artificially beautiful in pictures and videos online.
Analogy: Imagine being charmed by a waiter’s friendliness and then assuming they’re also efficient and organized, even if you haven’t seen them in action. This effect can also work in reverse—negative traits might cloud your judgment of someone’s other abilities.
Gambler’s Fallacy
This fallacy is the mistaken belief that past events influence future probabilities, especially in random situations. For example, if a coin has landed heads five times in a row, many people believe it’s “due” to land tails, even though each flip is independent with a 50/50 chance.
Analogy: Think about how this might affect your decision-making in life. Do you ever expect things to change simply because “it’s time” for them to? Whether in relationships, finances, or personal projects, the gambler’s fallacy can lead us to misjudge patterns where none exist.
The Contrast Effect
This bias occurs when something appears better or worse based on what it’s compared to. For example, a house may seem perfect after touring less appealing options, or a meal might taste incredible because you were previously eating bland food. The effect makes our judgments relative rather than absolute.
Analogy: Consider how your satisfaction with your life can fluctuate based on what you compare it to. Are you happier with your work if you reflect on past struggles, or do you feel frustrated when comparing your progress with others? Your perception of success is often shaped by the lens through which you view it.
Confirmation Bias
Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms your pre-existing beliefs while dismissing contradictory evidence. For example, if you believe a certain diet works, you might focus only on stories of success while ignoring cases where it failed. If you think there is some political conspiracy going on, you are more likely to only entertain media that supports that belief even if there is a wealth of information to the contrary. Confirmation bias may be one of the most egregious offenders when it comes to the tactics in media, marketing, and politics that are attempting to sway how we think.
Analogy: Reflect on the times you’ve engaged in debates or discussions. Were you open to changing your mind, or did you look for facts that supported your original view? This bias encourages us to stay in our comfort zones, often stifling growth and deeper understanding.
Zeigarnik Effect
The Zeigarnik Effect refers to the tendency to remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. The tension created by incomplete tasks keeps them active in your mind, making it hard to relax until they’re resolved. This effect is why you might feel anxious about things left undone, even if you’ve accomplished many other tasks. There are actually some positives to this one that you can use to your advantage. For instance, when working on a project but you have to switch tasks, you can set yourself up to better come back to the original project if you actively remember what you have accomplished and what you intend to work on in the next session.
Another example is how Ernest Hemmingway preferred to end writing sessions with a sentence unfinished:
“Learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it. I always worked until I had something done, and I always stopped when I knew what was going to happen next. That way I could be sure of going on the next day.”
— Ernest Hemmingway
Analogy: Think about how it feels when you leave work emails unanswered or projects incomplete—they nag at your mind until you finish them. Creating a to-do list and checking off items can help reduce the mental load by giving you a sense of closure. But we can also use this effect to our advantage by knowing how to leave tasks and then how to return to unfinished tasks effectively.
The Paradox of Choice
The paradox of choice suggests that having too many options can lead to anxiety and dissatisfaction, even though more choices seem desirable. This effect explains why making decisions in restaurants with extensive menus or choosing a product among many alternatives can feel overwhelming. And I get this one a lot: I actually kind of hate when menus are so expansive that it feels overwhelming, so I’ve learned to settle in on something quickly and then put the menu down as quickly as possible.
Analogy: Have you ever found yourself spending too much time deciding what to watch on a streaming platform, only to feel dissatisfied with your choice? The abundance of options can create decision fatigue, making it harder to enjoy the outcome.
In a world full of complexity, understanding these biases can be like gaining a map to the labyrinth of our own minds.
By recognizing these subtle influences, we’re better equipped to navigate our experiences with a clearer, more grounded perspective.
Thanks so much to everyone our there who’s reading The Cosmobiologist.
If you want to share on any of my journeys, meet up for a coffee in person someday, chat about the topics I share about, or just talk about anything and everything, feel free to reach out!