Engineer Destin Sandlin had some friends who welded the handlebars of a bicycle to turn in the opposite direction of the front wheel. The reverse steering of this backwards bike really pushes the common saying, you never forget how to ride a bike.
If you didn’t watch the video, basically he spent 8 months of deliberate practice to untrain his brain that was wired to ride a normal bike. Even though he had the knowledge of how the reverse steering operated, he couldn’t get get his brain to understand and execute.
He concludes that it’s clear that knowledge does not equal understanding. Extrapolating this experiment, it reflects that when people get something stuck in their head, it is difficult and sometimes impossible to change. Even if they consciously want to change. He calls this cognitive bias.
The second part of the experiment Destin shows his son only requires two weeks to learn how to ride the reverse bicycle. He notates that children really have higher neuroplasticity and can learn things easier, such as a new language.
Finally Destin goes to Amsterdam and attempts to ride a normal bike after having fully trained his brain to ride a reverse bike. It took him twenty minutes to be able to have his brain click back. Destin comes to the conclusion that the cognitive bias in his brain could not be removed, it could only be redesignated.
Applying the findings on cognitive bias from Destin’s experiment, it makes sense that a lot of people believe outrageous things. Even when presented with overwhelming evidence. Even if they want to change. Sometimes the brain can be “stuck”.
When you run into these people, have some sympathy. There’s a good chance you can’t change their minds.
On the flip side, be aware of what you believe. Think of how you can be more open minded.