6 Lessons In Intelligence (How Spies Think)

'How Spies Think: 10 lessons in intelligence' by former GCHQ director David Omand, is a book I finished reading earlier this year. The book explores the ways in which you can use the data you are presented to make more rational decisions with every day life. As I think some of these tips will help with my own scientific research too (and because I used to want to be a spy), I've turned these lessons into a video. It ranges from the use of Bayesian Inference to confirmation bias, echo chambers through to a story on chickens. Enjoy.

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TIMESTAMPS:
Intro - 00:00
The SEES model - 02:50
Lesson 1 (situational awareness) - 03:30
Lesson 2 (explanation) - 05:00
Lesson 3 (estimate) - 10:45
Lesson 4 (Strategic notice) - 12:30
Lesson 5 (navigating negotiations) - 13:45
Lesson 6 (digital decisions) - 14:45
What have I learned? - 16:00

Please note that The Sheekey Science Show is distinct from Eleanor Sheekey's teaching and research roles at the University of Cambridge. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Sheekey Science Show and guests assume no liability for the application of the information discussed.

[TheSheekeyScienceShow]

An intelligent decision after watching this video would be to give it a like!

[malleusflavus]

Brilliant episode! I have ordered the book. Learning what to think is not a useful as learning how to think. Enhanced thinking skills are wanted in this age where ordinary people are so under-equipped to evaluate the veracity and utility of the information by which we are continuously bombarded. Thank you for the lesson.

[artur-rdc]

Funny, I also wanted to be a spy when I was a kid. And also became more interested in intelligence. There's some good knowledge here, although the induction / bayesian epistemology stuff always puts me off a bit. I prefer the other part 9:49 "understanding of facts should revolve around proving things wrong"

[tickbirdtrader]

Nice book review! I went out and bought the book. Also a good reminder that science is about disproving hypothesises and that the commonly used term "scientific proof" is an oxymoron.

[thefreshprince-tm]

I need to put a bunch of random comments out there so whoever else has access to my account following these comments, can sort through them.