Trust Your Mind: Embracing Nuance in a World of Self-Silencing

“In this highly accessible book, Jenara Nerenberg explains how we got into cul de sacs of dogmatism, and how we can get out of them.”—Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America and author of We Need To Build: Field Notes for Diverse DemocracyFrom the celebrated author of Divergent Mind and founder of the Neurodiversity Project, an urgent examination of self-silencing culture and the toxic impact of groupthink.

Connected across geography and culture via the internet, the world is both a vast, limitless landscape and an ever-shrinking echo chamber. Communication, especially discourse over free speech, is becoming increasingly divisive. Our tolerance for differing opinions is also narrowing. This polarization affects every one of us and threatens the fabric of society.In this groundbreaking book, Jenara Nerenberg analyzes the phenomenon of “self-silencing,” asking potent questions about how groupthink has become normalized. Applying her expertise in journalism, psychology, and public health, she digs deep into social problems that are worsening under a culture of self-censorship.But there is hope. Nerenberg offers insights on how to identify and escape groupthink and transform fear into empathy, allowing space for authentic communication that reduces—rather than causes—harm to others. She helps envision a better future, one that sees us slowing down, discovering shared values with others, and embracing a global community of curious and joyful human beings.