In this episode, Tali Sharot, a cognitive neuroscientist and psychologist at University College London, explains our' innate optimism bias.

When the brain estimates the outcome of future events, it tends to reduce the probability of negative outcomes for itself, but not so much for other people. In other words, if you are a smoker, everyone else is going to get cancer. The odds of success for a new restaurant change depending on who starts that venture, you or someone else. Sharot explains why and details how we can use our knowledge of this mental quirk to our advantage both personally and institutionally.

More about Tali Sharot and her book The Optimism Bias here: http://theoptimismbias.blogspot.com/

Sponsors:

-- • The Great Courses: www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/smart --
-- • Dignity Health: www.dignityhealth.org/taketwomins --
-- • Blue Apron: www.blueapron.com/yanss --

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