How to save our children from cynicism | Dr. Graeme Mitchell | TEDxRRU

Students are increasingly exposed to negative content online, leading to cynicism and a diminished perception of global progress. This podcast explores how a shift towards showcasing positive advancements and progress can combat this negativity bias and instill hope in young people. By intentionally curating information and focusing on achievements, educators can empower students to engage with purpose and conviction, fostering a more optimistic and engaged generation.

Social Media Consumption

• 00:00:15 Students spend an alarming amount of time on social media, exposed to a constant stream of stress-inducing content. This negatively impacts their perception of the world, due to the human brain's inherent negativity bias, which prioritizes negative experiences over positive ones. The negativity bias has evolved to help humans survive by highlighting threats but this can be detrimental to mental health if overexposed to negative media.

Negativity Bias

• 00:02:07 Humans possess a negativity bias, a trait that makes them more sensitive to negative information. This bias, which evolved to enhance survival by alerting individuals to potential dangers, often overshadows positive events, impacting students' outlook on the world. Educators must account for this bias and intentionally provide positive and balanced inputs to counter its effects.

Hope Gap

• 00:04:59 Students demonstrate a ‘Hope Gap’—a disconnect between their increasing knowledge of global issues and a declining sense of optimism. Despite remarkable global progress across several indicators, many young people perceive the world as being in decline. This gap stems from a lack of exposure to positive developments and stories of progress that counter the pervasive negativity online.

Curriculum Reimagined

• 00:07:46 The curriculum is reimagined to emphasize positive societal progress and advancements achieved in recent generations. This approach aims to balance the challenges faced with the wins achieved, fostering a more optimistic outlook while avoiding complacency or ignoring pressing issues. The goal is to provide a balanced narrative to cultivate a hopeful and engaged student body.

Feeding the Right Wolf

• 00:08:39 The speaker advocates for the importance of choosing what we consume and what thoughts we allow to influence us. Like the story of the two wolves, we can control our thoughts and focus on feeding the good wolf by emphasizing positive and truthful information. By prioritizing truth and positivity in daily consumption, we can bridge the hope gap and inspire future generations.