Dr. Steven Novella, host of the popular 'Skeptics Guide to the Universe' podcast, explains critical thinking and scientific methodology to help us better decide what to believe, and what not to.

In today's media-driven society, we're constantly bombarded with information. But efficiently filtering sources can be difficult.

One response is cynicism, but it is nihilistic and gives us no hope for progress.

A better response is skepticism: employing doubt alongside the tools of critical thinking to gradually uncover reliable information.

Skepticism is tougher to reach than cynicism, but ultimately far more rewarding.

Dr. Steven Novella is a neurologist at the Yale School of Medicine, president and co-founder of the New England Skeptical Society, and host of the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast.

Alongside the cohosts of his podcast, Novella authors the Skeptics' Guide the Universe book.

The book covers the many ways our apparent knowledge might be fallible, case studies of famous false claims, issues with science journalism, and how to have discussions as a skeptic.