The Paradox of Math Proficiency: Why Smarter Individuals May Struggle with Certain Problems
Research suggests that higher math ability can lead to poorer performance on specific math problems. Explore the reasoning behind this phenomenon and gain insights into the complexities of mathematical thinking.

Veritasium
5.8M views • Nov 4, 2024

About this video
Being better at math can make you worse at math problems, and it’s completely rational. Get all sides of every story at https://groundnews.com/Ve and read the news with a data-driven approach. Subscribe through my link for 50% off unlimited access– their biggest discount of the year.
00:00 This research paper has fascinated me for years
00:21 The skin cream question
04:20 How politics influences our reasoning
5:10 The gun control question
8:42 Are people rational decision makers?
9:27 Why people think tribally
10:38 What can we do about political polarisation?
▀▀▀
Join us on Patreon for early access videos and exclusive bonus content https://ve42.co/PatreonDE
Patrons: Adam Foreman, Albert Wenger, Alexander Tamas, Anton Ragin, Bertrand Serlet, Bill Linder, Blake Byers, Bruce, Dave Kircher, David Johnston, Evgeny Skvortsov, Garrett Mueller, Gnare, Greg Scopel, I. H., John H. Austin, Jr., Juan Benet, KeyWestr, Kirill Shore, Kyi, Lee Redden, Marinus Kuivenhoven, Matthias Wrobel, Meekay, Michael Krugman, Orlando Bassotto, Paul Peijzel, Reed Spilmann, Richard Sundvall, Sam Lutfi, TTST, Tj Steyn, Ubiquity Ventures, gpoly, john kiehl, meg noah, wolfee
If you’re looking for a molecular modeling kit, try Snatoms, a kit I invented where the atoms snap together magnetically - https://ve42.co/SnatomsV
▀▀▀
References:
Kahan D, M. et al. (Sept 3, 2014). Motivated numeracy and enlightened self-government. Behavioural public policy, 1(1), 54-86 - https://ve42.co/Kahan2017
TEDx Talks. (Dec 10, 2018). Are Smart People Ruining Democracy? via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanTedx
Cardiff University. (Mar 6, 2014). The Science Communication Environment via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanCardiff
spitfirestrategies. (Nov 21, 2012). How cultural values shape beliefs and perceptions of risk via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanSpirit
Images & Video:
TEDx Talks. (Dec 10, 2018). Are Smart People Ruining Democracy? via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanTedx
▀▀▀
Directed by Wylie Overstreet and Derek Muller
Written by Wylie Overstreet and Derek Muller
Edited by Trenton Oliver
Animated by Fabio Albertelli, James Cheetham
Illustrated by Jakub Misiek, Emma Wright, and Maria Gusakovich
Filmed by Derek Muller and Wylie Overstreet
Additional research by Gabe Strong
Produced by Wylie Overstreet, Derek Muller, Rob Beasley Spence, Gabe Strong, Gregor Čavlović, and Tori Brittain
Thumbnail contributions by Jakub Misiek, Ren Hurley and Peter Sheppard
Additional video/photos supplied by Getty Images, Storyblocks
Music from Epidemic Sound
00:00 This research paper has fascinated me for years
00:21 The skin cream question
04:20 How politics influences our reasoning
5:10 The gun control question
8:42 Are people rational decision makers?
9:27 Why people think tribally
10:38 What can we do about political polarisation?
▀▀▀
Join us on Patreon for early access videos and exclusive bonus content https://ve42.co/PatreonDE
Patrons: Adam Foreman, Albert Wenger, Alexander Tamas, Anton Ragin, Bertrand Serlet, Bill Linder, Blake Byers, Bruce, Dave Kircher, David Johnston, Evgeny Skvortsov, Garrett Mueller, Gnare, Greg Scopel, I. H., John H. Austin, Jr., Juan Benet, KeyWestr, Kirill Shore, Kyi, Lee Redden, Marinus Kuivenhoven, Matthias Wrobel, Meekay, Michael Krugman, Orlando Bassotto, Paul Peijzel, Reed Spilmann, Richard Sundvall, Sam Lutfi, TTST, Tj Steyn, Ubiquity Ventures, gpoly, john kiehl, meg noah, wolfee
If you’re looking for a molecular modeling kit, try Snatoms, a kit I invented where the atoms snap together magnetically - https://ve42.co/SnatomsV
▀▀▀
References:
Kahan D, M. et al. (Sept 3, 2014). Motivated numeracy and enlightened self-government. Behavioural public policy, 1(1), 54-86 - https://ve42.co/Kahan2017
TEDx Talks. (Dec 10, 2018). Are Smart People Ruining Democracy? via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanTedx
Cardiff University. (Mar 6, 2014). The Science Communication Environment via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanCardiff
spitfirestrategies. (Nov 21, 2012). How cultural values shape beliefs and perceptions of risk via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanSpirit
Images & Video:
TEDx Talks. (Dec 10, 2018). Are Smart People Ruining Democracy? via Youtube - https://ve42.co/KahanTedx
▀▀▀
Directed by Wylie Overstreet and Derek Muller
Written by Wylie Overstreet and Derek Muller
Edited by Trenton Oliver
Animated by Fabio Albertelli, James Cheetham
Illustrated by Jakub Misiek, Emma Wright, and Maria Gusakovich
Filmed by Derek Muller and Wylie Overstreet
Additional research by Gabe Strong
Produced by Wylie Overstreet, Derek Muller, Rob Beasley Spence, Gabe Strong, Gregor Čavlović, and Tori Brittain
Thumbnail contributions by Jakub Misiek, Ren Hurley and Peter Sheppard
Additional video/photos supplied by Getty Images, Storyblocks
Music from Epidemic Sound
Tags and Topics
Browse our collection to discover more content in these categories.
Video Information
Views
5.8M
Likes
218.2K
Duration
14:35
Published
Nov 4, 2024
User Reviews
4.9
(1150) Related Trending Topics
LIVE TRENDSRelated trending topics. Click any trend to explore more videos.
Trending Now