Book Review: The Parasitic Mind by Gad Saad

10 lessons from The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense by Gad Saad:

The Parasitic Mind is a book by Gad Saad that exposes the dangers of the "parasitic mind" - a mind that is easily influenced by false information, groupthink, and other cognitive biases.

The book shares insights into the psychology of the parasitic mind and offers strategies for protecting ourselves from its influence. Here are the ten (10) lessons from this book.

1. Beware of the idea pathogens. Idea pathogens are ideas that are harmful to our minds and society. They can be spread through social media, the news, and even our own friends and family. These days we couldn't say that everything we've watched on the news or what is on social media is valid and true.

2. Don't be afraid to question authority. Just because someone is in a position of power doesn't mean they're always right. Be willing to challenge the status quo and think for yourself. Think outside of the box, and engage in sensible conversation.

3. Beware of groupthink. Groupthink is when people in a group make decisions that are not in their best interests because they want to fit in. Be willing to speak up and disagree with the group if you think they're wrong. Agree to disagree but be humble.

4. Beware of echo chambers. Echo chambers are online communities where people only hear information that confirms their existing beliefs. This can lead to people becoming more extreme in their views and less open to new ideas.

5. Beware of confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them. This can lead us to make bad decisions and believe things that aren't true.

6. Beware of the backfire effect. The backfire effect is when people become more entrenched in their beliefs when they're presented with evidence that contradicts them. This can happen because people don't like to be wrong, and they may feel like they have to defend their beliefs in order to save face.

7. Beware of the Dunning-Kruger effect. The Dunning-Kruger effect is when people who are incompetent at something overestimate their abilities. This can lead them to make bad decisions and believe things that aren't true.

8. Beware of the availability heuristic. The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut that we use to make decisions based on the information that is most easily available to us. This can lead us to make bad decisions because we may not be considering all of the relevant information.

9. Beware of the anchoring effect. The anchoring effect is when our judgment is influenced by the first piece of information we're given. This can lead us to make bad decisions because we may not be considering all of the relevant information.

10. Beware of the sunk cost fallacy. The sunk cost fallacy is when we continue to invest in something, even when it's clear that it's a bad investment because we don't want to admit that we've made a mistake. Even if it's a hard pill to swallow. This can lead us to lose even more money in the long run.

The word "expert" can be subjective, and self-censorship is a threat to freedom of speech. Saad mentioned in his book that many people claimed to be experts, intellectual leaders, and activists (as described by the authorities) or social justice warriors. As a result, no matter how qualified someone's credentials may be, we do service when we question. We must not control ourselves to use our intelligence and reason in search of understanding the truth.

BOOK: https://amzn.to/44Q4yxC

Title: The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense
Author: Gad Saad
Publisher: Regnery Publishing
Publication date: October 6, 2021
Hardcover price: $15.59
ISBN: 1684512298

My Dental Crown and Mother's Day Celebration 2023

 I woke in the morning with a positive mindset because it was my dental appointment at 11AM, at Chatuchak Dental Clinic in Phahayothin somewhere in Saphan Kwai (downtown) for my coronation (dental crown aka jacket crown😂). I had my fitting last week, and I paid 12,000 ThB from Daddy. I had breakfast and decided to wake up my second child to accompany me to the dentist. I found the DIY  Mother's Day cards on the table with some cash inserted inside. Those were sweet gestures of love 

We took a cab from the top of the road to Latkrabang Station (Airport link) which cost 160B, and the train cost 40B for each passenger to Phaya Thai (N2) Station interchange with the BTS Skytrain going to N7- Saphan Kwai costs 35B each. The total fare was 310ThB.  

After the dentist, we decided to go to Fashion. I wanted to try Bus 8 (non-air) which only costs 8B each, going to Happy Land near the Mall Bangkapi in Ladprao. Then, a taxi to the Fashion Mall costs 60B. I messaged my two girls at home to come and dine with us, I was told to eat after an hour so the dental cement would stick well with the tooth and the crown. My eldest drove our car to Fashion.

It was passed 1pm when we arrived and the place was packed with families. I wasn't surprised at all. I should've just decided to celebrate it the following day. It was my fault for insisting on going there since we were already out. 

We dined at MK, and we came in at 2pm for a very late lunch. We had the shabu set worth 399 ThB and ordered braised beef with rice for Nicole and me. Sofia ordered the yakisoba noodles. Since Samantha is not a picky eater, I ordered plain rice for her because she only likes soup and meat (shabu set). We loved the savory taste of the soup. We all ordered the refillable iced lemon tea. The bill costs 1,018 ThB only. 

There's a free Mother's Day picture for us from MK 

Then, we went to Siam Relax for an hour of Thai massage. It's located at Ramkamhaeng 166 in front of the gold shop. I usually go for a massage once a week, and it is always Saturday (my self-care day). We had the neck, shoulders, and back massage which cost 300B per person for 1 hour (not too pricy). I didn't wanna go upstairs (on the 3rd floor) because I don't really like lying down. I preferred to have it done on the couch. I loved the service so I gave a 50ThB tip. It was relaxing and refreshing, the pain was gone.

After the massage, we were a little hungry so we went to our favorite cafe & restaurant - Chon Latee. It is located a few steps away from Siam Relax. I'm a frequent customer here. We ordered the following:

Me - honey croffle & capuccino

Nicole - ham and egg club sandwich & matcha green tea

Sofia - carbonara & mint + milk drink

Samantha - fries & oreo milkshake + plain cheesy pizza

I used my discount coupon with 7 previous stamps (order 9 drinks, free 1 drink) so I had one drink for free. The total cost was only 1.040 ThB.  Overall, it was indeed a happy Mother's Day! The objectives were met, and I spent time for family bonding, self-care, and dining out with my favorite people. Thanks be to God for all the blessings - big or small.