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I was searching for this book yet I had no idea it actually existed. Even though this book was written around a decade ago, it still seems poignant and has the same alarming effect when it shares how ignorant we as a population were. As relevant as it was back then, we are still ignorant. It's to the point where the term "meta-ignorant" in the book becomes a more apt way to describe what's going on with our knowledge bank.
In "Head in the Cloud," the author, Poundstone, shares facts and studies surrounding knowledge and recall of facts. When it came to wanting to study memory recall, it turns out people perform worse when they use a phone to snap a picture of something memorable in their environment (like at a museum), or when they expect to be able to search up a fact (the fact is available online, 24/7, so why should my brain have to hold on to such information?) However, the startling issue was the realization most people do not take the time to critically research facts or information they do not know. Yet, we hold beliefs so strongly, most without knowing exactly what they are about. Crazy right? It was refreshing to see this printed and the reader is more inclined to want to critically analyze new information and prove they are not part of that meta-ignorant crowd. Hopefully more people go this route. Because the crowd is not always the wise way to go. On some general knowledge questions proposed by the author, the majority was wrong, and far off in some questions asking for a numerical estimation.
We need more people to read this book and gleam insight to foster better critical thinking skills and cultivate more curiosity. We should be curious about why we believe what we believe and learn more about the world. Sure, facts are easy to look up but it's more rewarding and engaging to have a conversation among people who are already knowledgeable, it's more humane. Even if one of the people does not know a fact the others do, we can teach and learn from each other and break down those beliefs and pursue research after the fact and go from there. Read it! Your brain will certainly thank you. Overall, a good read.