The Brain is a Liar: Why You're So Sure (and So Often Wrong)

📚Lecture: "The Brain is a Liar: Why You're So Sure (and So Often Wrong)"

🎤Speaker: Maria Sergeeva (PhD Researcher in Sociology & Anthropology)

You don’t believe fake news. You don’t fall for manipulation. You’re rational. Thoughtful. Independent. That’s exactly what everyone thinks. In reality, your brain constantly edits information, protects your ego, rewrites your memories, and defends your worst takes - without asking your permission.

These mental shortcuts - known as cognitive biases - shape your arguments, your dating choices, your politics, your spending habits, and even how you remember your own past. And here’s the catch: the smarter you are, the better you are at justifying your own biases.

In this talk, we’ll break down how your brain bends reality - and what you can actually do about it. You won’t leave perfectly rational. But you will never argue the same way again.

Expect uncomfortable realizations, interactive moments, and at least one "oh no… that’s me"

Maria Sergeeva is a PhD researcher in sociology and anthropology based in Canada, studying how media, identity, and narratives shape the way people understand reality. Her work explores thinking patterns, emotional responses, and everyday decision-making in times of uncertainty. Maria combines academic insight with real-life examples to make complex psychological ideas accessible, relatable, and engaging.

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Agenda

6:15pm - Doors open: Grab a seat, order drinks and food and settle in.

6:55pm - Host Introduction

7:00pm - Lecture starts

7:45pm - Q&A with Audience

8:00pm - Socialize and make friends, grab drinks

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Beyond the Pale Byward Taproom, 21 George Street, Ottawa, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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