Biased anecdotes can mislead decision-making, leading to significant utility loss.
The article explores how people use personal stories to persuade others. When sharing anecdotes, people may choose stories that align with their own beliefs, even if it's not the best choice for the listener. If the listener can see which story is chosen, the sender will likely pick a fair and informative one. But if the choice is hidden, the sender might pick a biased story, leading to less helpful information for both. This means that sometimes it's better to get advice from someone who knows less but thinks like you, rather than an expert with different views.