4 Misconceptions to Avoid 🚀

Popular misconceptions, mix-ups to avoid, roles at YCombinator, the Comcast SportsTech accelerator, opportunities at growing startups, and more!

August 08, 2022

What's up, Next Gen Fam!

To thrive in today’s world, it’s important to be aware of popular misconceptions. That's because we sometimes make assumptions that turn out to be false. This week, we’re sharing common mix-ups to avoid.

Let's dive in!

TIPS

Studies are rarely 100% true or false.

“Studies say eating carrots improves eyesight.” This might convince you that consuming carrots will undoubtedly help your eyes. However, it’s important to remember that a study only indicates the likelihood of something being true. Studies are rarely 100% true or false, yet most news headlines describe findings as such. Watch out for this!

Placebo’s are more powerful than you think.

The Placebo Effect occurs when a person feels better after fake treatment. However, most people don’t appreciate quite how suggestible our brains are. Subtle cues, like the optimism of a doctor’s tone when prescribing medicine, may noticeably influence the efficacy of treatment. So, try to stay as positive as possible in any situation!

Your memory can be unreliable.

You probably have vivid memories of March 12, 2020, the day COVID shut down the world. However, your memory can make mistakes. An NYU study found that 9/11 eye-witnesses were significantly less accurate in their recollection a few years later, even when they were confident they were right. Keep this in mind!

We tend to overestimate how much we know.

Humans have historically overestimated the extent of our knowledge. There was a time when the smartest people in the world believed the sun revolved around the Earth or that personalities were fixed from birth. In fact, today we may wrongly believe that all fundamental truths of the world have been discovered. So, be sure to question basic assumptions. It might just lead to a breakthrough.

QUESTION FOR YOU

What is something you believe that few people agree with you on?

OPPORTUNITIES

Check out these opportunities from the Next Gen HQ ecosystem.

  • 💼 Job: YCombinator, the renowned startup accelerator, is hiring for an ambitious individual to run Admissions Operations.

  • 🚀 Internship: Clutch, a venture-backed startup that provides tools for creators, is hiring for a Student Marketing Growth Intern.

  • 🏐 Accelerator: Comcast SportsTech, an accelerator for startups innovating with sports technology, is now accepting applications until 8/15/22.

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