Welcome back to Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob! This week’s episode takes us into one of the most important skills we can develop in today’s chaotic information universe—the art of becoming a “Critical Ignorer.” Inspired by my recent conversation with scientific researcher, author, and social-science communicator Matthew Facciani (a.k.a. the Bill Nye of the Social Sciences), this Stoppage Time dives deep into how we can better protect our minds from the nonstop flood of mis- and disinformation surrounding us.

In a world where trusted sources have faded and algorithms serve us endless noise, we’re left to decide for ourselves what’s real, credible, or even human-generated. But as Matthew reminds us, it’s not just about being a critical thinker anymore—it’s about mastering what we allow into our brains in the first place. Today, I share the simple but powerful techniques I’ve used since 2020 to guard my attention, reduce digital clutter, and stay intentional about the information I consume. And, unexpectedly, I learned during our conversation that one of my habits is actually a scientifically recognized strategy!

I also reflect on why these lessons connect so profoundly with another recent episode featuring Minda Harts, where we explored trust—how we build it, how we lose it, and why it matters. Taken together, these conversations offer a roadmap for navigating life as entrepreneurs, leaders, investors, and conscious humans in an overloaded, combative media landscape.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can I trust this? Should I even pay attention to it?”—this episode is for you.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the constant buzz of information—this episode is for you.

And if you want to understand yourself, others, and your digital world with more clarity—this episode is definitely for you.

Grab a warm drink (I’ve got my heater going here in chilly, pre-winter Los Angeles), settle in, and join me on the journey toward peace, discernment, and a little more intentionality as we all practice becoming better critical ignorers.

Peace, joy, love… and a whole lot of discernment.

Peace out!