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Big Think
By bigthinkEducation
Big Think episodes
- Why emotional intelligence starts before memory does
Psychologist Ethan Kross explains that emotional regulation starts right after birth, with something as simple as skin-to-skin contact. As kids grow, we can help shape how they understand and manage emotions.
Childhood is the perfect time to introduce tools like the “Batman Effect,” where kids use superhero personas to handle tough situations. Teaching these science-backed strategies early on not only helps kids navigate emotions but can even boost their grades and overall well-being.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------About Ethan Kross:Ethan Kross is one of the world’s leading experts on controlling the conscious mind. An award-winning professor and bestselling author in the University of Michigan’s top-ranked Psychology Department and its Ross School of Business, he studies how the conversations people have with themselves impact their health, performance, decisions and relationships.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------About The WellDo we inhabit a multiverse? Do we have free will? What is love? Is evolution directional? There are no simple answers to life’s biggest questions, and that’s why they’re the questions occupying the world’s brightest minds.Together, let's learn from them.----------------------------------------------------------06:30-19---------------------
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6 min - Yuval Noah Harari: How to safeguard your mind in the age of junk information
“All information technologies up to the 21st century were organic networks based on our organic brain.”
Yuval Noah Harari sees one glaring problem at the heart of our quest for an AI-led world: The incompatibility of humans and the always-on information cycles.Harari cautions that organic beings trying to force themselves into these 24/7 inorganic cycles will eventually fail, and bring about their own destruction.His solution? Clear delineation of inorganic information, and a strict diet for your consumption.Chapters:
00:00 If humans are so smart, how’d we get here?00:55 Automatic machines vs AI02:21 How new tech changes our social fabric03:29 Organic cycles based on human rhythms04:57 Inorganic cycles based on AI06:18 Should AIs become legal persons?07:46 The huge risks of an AI-centered world08:15 The biggest misconception about information09:37 How to safeguard ourselves in the era of AI11:05 Self-correction and the banning of fake humans12:24 Go on an information diet--------------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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19 min - Dating apps encourage our worst instincts. Here’s how to be more ethical | Christine Emba
**🔥 Dating Apps Are a Mess (and Kinda Messing *Us* Up Too) 💔📱**
Back in the day, people met through friends, family, work, or school 👨👩👧👦🎓.
Now? It’s swipe-swipe culture. Tinder. Bumble. Hinge. You name it.
Sure, dating apps have helped — especially for people in marginalized communities 🏳️🌈🤝.
But they’ve also brought along some serious issues.
👻 Ghosting? Normalized.
📸 Unwanted photos? Unfortunately, common.
🚨 Harassment? Way too frequent.
🤖 People often act worse when they feel there are no real consequences.
Some stats that say it all:
- 56% of women have received inappropriate images 📲
- 40% were contacted repeatedly after cutting someone off 🚫
- 37% were insulted, 11% even felt physically threatened 😟
- 64% of men felt insecure due to low responses 📉
This isn’t just awkward — it’s exhausting 🧠💤.
Apps turn dating into a *game*.
Swipe left, swipe right — again and again — while getting the message that someone “better” might be a tap away 😮💨.
Why build something real when you can just start over?
And let’s be real:
If your pics aren’t 🔥 or you’re not 6 feet tall, you might never even get seen 🙃.
It’s shallow. It’s discouraging. And for many, it’s just... Draining.
So what can we do?
💡 Treat people like people — not profiles.
🫱🏽🫲🏼 Respect boundaries. Look for real connection.
👀 And maybe... Just maybe... Start a conversation in person.
Dating doesn’t have to feel like a simulation.
Let’s make it human again ❤️🩹.
About Christine Emba:
Christine Emba is an opinion columnist and editor at The Washington Post, where she focuses on ideas, society, and culture. She is also a contributing editor at Comment Magazine and an editor at large at Wisdom of Crowds, which includes a podcast and newsletter. Before this, Emba was the Hilton Kramer Fellow in Criticism at The New Criterion and a deputy editor at the Economist Intelligence Unit, focusing on technology and innovation. Her book, Rethinking Sex: A Provocation, is about the failures and potential of the sexual revolution in a post-#MeToo world. Emba was named one of the World’s Top 50 Thinkers by Prospect Magazine in 2022.
Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes----------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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11 min - Jason Derulo gets real about his darkest moments
Jason Derulo's career flashed before his eyes when he broke his neck in 2012. Despite fearing the worst, he used positive self-talk and daily routines to recover and create hit songs like “Marry Me” and “Talk Dirty.” Overcoming childhood insecurities, he emphasizes the power of self-improvement. Now a global superstar with 250 million singles sold, Derulo prioritizes family time since becoming a father in 2021.
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About Jason Derulo:Jason Derulo is a versatile artist who has left an indelible mark on the modern music scene. Drawing from his Haitian heritage and musical influences ranging from Michael Jackson to Usher, Derulo's distinctive sound seamlessly blends pop, R&B, and electronic elements.Beyond music, Derulo has ventured into fashion and acting while staying involved in charitable work. With an enduring commitment to his craft and a finger on the pulse of evolving trends, Jason Derulo continues to evolve as a prominent figure in contemporary music.Jason is also the author of Sing Your Name Out Loud: 15 Rules for Living Your Dream, where he discusses his early life, defining moments in his career, and the principles that enabled him to achieve success. He wrote the book after his reinvention in 2020, after becoming one of the most followed creators on TikTok, when he realized his personal rules for self-mastery and success are applicable anywhere, for anyone, under any circumstance---------------------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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10 min - Adam Grant's #1 phrase to unlock potential | Big Think+
The “compliment sandwich” technique doesn’t actually work. Wharton professor Adam Grant on how to give feedback that will actually help others reach their full potential.
Wharton School of Business professor Adam Grant believes it’s time to stop focusing on “natural talent.” He shares his experience growing up not feeling good at anything in particular, and how he surpassed that to achieve his highest potential.He also shares a key phrase for inspiring others as a leader and maximizing their performance.0:00 A world obsessed with raw talent0:20 Meet Adam Grant2:05 Squandered potential2:33 Two problematic kinds of leaders3:35 The best kind of leader4:20 How to deliver feedback6:50 The 19 words for most effective feedback-----------------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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11 min - You need data literacy now more than ever – here’s how to master it | Talithia Williams
In a world where our decisions are increasingly influenced by data, understanding the information we encounter has never been more essential. Dr. Talithia Williams explains the case for data literacy.
Dr. Talithia Williams, a math professor and science communicator, shares her take on why understanding data is now more important than ever. Using examples like noticing targeted ads after a conversation, Williams shows how data shapes our everyday experiences. But she also warns of the dangers, like biases in data-driven models that can lead to unfair outcomes. While AI and machine learning offer powerful insights, it’s up to us to ensure these tools are used fairly and accurately.
Dr. Williams also emphasizes that by deepening our understanding of data, we can better navigate the challenges that arise in our daily lives. She encourages us to see data not just as numbers, but as a tool for making more informed, fairer decisions in our bewilderingly complex world.
About Dr. Talithia Williams:
Talithia Williams, PhD, is a Professor of Mathematics and the Mathematics Clinic Director at Harvey Mudd College. She develops statistical models focused on environmental issues, including a cataract model for the World Health Organization to predict surgical rates in Africa.
Known for making complex numerical concepts accessible, Williams inspires others through her dedication to STEM education. Williams has worked with NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and the National Security Agency (NSA).
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10 min - Why do some artists become famous? | Albert-László Barabási
Success in the art world can mean different things to different artists. While some artists work solely for the pleasure of producing art, others seek external recognition, such as being shown in prestigious galleries or museums, and selling their craft. The latter — profitability, recognition, demand — is how success is traditionally defined in the field.
But out of all the emerging artists across the world, only a select few will make it to international recognition in their careers. Network physicist Albert-László Barabási believes he can predict who it’s going to be. And he doesn’t even need to look at the artist’s artwork. While talent is essential for an artist's success, understanding the networks in which their work is embedded is perhaps even more important.Access to these networks is determined by complex dependencies, with gatekeepers, such as institutions and galleries, playing a crucial role in an artist's access to the market. Through mapping out these networks, Barabási has been able to predict artistic success with impressive accuracy. With an acute understanding of the various institutions and galleries that routinely lead to the center of the network, an artist can increase their chances of success and longevity in the art world.0:00 The key measures of success in art0:48 Whose job is it to discover artists?1:16 Mapping the value of art through network science2:53 “Incredibly accurate” predictions4:47 Talent matters5:22 The challenge for young artists----------------------------------------------------------------------------------About Albert-László Barabási:Albert-László Barabási is a network scientist, fascinated with a wide range of topics, from unveiling the structure of the brain and treating diseases using network medicine to the emergence of success in art and how science really works. His research has helped unveil the hidden order behind various complex systems using the quantitative tools of network science, a research field that he pioneered, and has led to the discovery of scale-free networks, helping explain the emergence of many natural, technological, and social networks.Barabási is a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He is the author of The Formula (Little Brown), Network Science (Cambridge), Bursts (Dutton), and Linked (Penguin). He co-edited Network Medicine (Harvard, 2017) and The Structure and Dynamics of Networks (Princeton, 2005). His books have been translated into over twenty languages.----------------------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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10 min - Why fake peace is worse than good conflict | Priya Parker
Not all conflict is bad. Expert @Priya_Parker explains how “heat” can be harnessed for good.
In this Big Think interview, Priya Parker, a conflict resolution facilitator and author, discusses the importance of conflict or what she prefers to call "heat" in human relationships. She begins by challenging the common perception that conflict is solely negative, associated with scandal and division. Instead, Parker argues that healthy conflict or heat is essential for meaningful change and human connection.She introduces the concept of heat mapping, a tool used in conflict resolution, which identifies sensitive or heated moments within a group. This mapping is comparable to a doctor locating tender areas. Understanding these moments of heat helps facilitators like Parker guide conversations that are relevant and impactful for individuals and groups. The goal is to enable authentic connections and provide a path forward for resolving conflicts.As a conflict-averse facilitator herself, Parker empathizes with those who feel discomfort in conflictual situations. She highlights the importance of developing the skill to hold rising heat in a room. This skill requires self-awareness and the willingness to become more comfortable with conflict. Both conflict-averse individuals and troublemakers play crucial roles in fostering healthy conflict resolution.0:00 Conflict vs. Unhealthy peace1:09 Thinking in terms of ‘heat’2:38 Heat-mapping conflicts3:53 Know your own conflict style----------------------------------------------------------------------------------About Priya Parker:Priya Parker is helping us take a deeper look at how anyone can create collective meaning in modern life, one gathering at a time. She is a facilitator, strategic advisor, acclaimed author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters, and the host of the New York Times podcast, Together Apart. Parker has spent 15 years helping leaders and communities have complicated conversations about community, identity, and vision at moments of transition. Trained in the field of conflict resolution, Parker advises and teaches leaders how to gather in ways that create the culture, effectiveness, and very essence of what it means to be them.Parker’s The Art of Gathering (Riverhead, 2018) has been named a Best Business Book of the year by Amazon, Esquire Magazine, NPR, the Financial Times, 1-800-CEO-READS, and Bloomberg. She has spoken on the TED Main Stage and is a popular, sought-after speaker. Parker’s work has been featured in numerous outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, TED, Forbes, Real Simple Magazine, Oprah.com, Bloomberg, Glamour, the Today Show, and Morning Joe. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and two children.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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9 min - Political scientist Ian Bremmer on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
What’s happening in Gaza and why? And how did we get here?
Political scientist Ian Bremmer joins Big Think’s Editor-in-Chief, Robert Chapman-Smith, to discuss the historical and political context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Ian Bremmer, a political scientist and president of Eurasia Group, joins us to discuss the historical and political context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.In this conversation, Bremmer and our editor-in-chief, Robert Chapman-Smith, explore the current dynamics between Israel and Palestine, particularly during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s tenure.They also delve into internal politics in Israel — including growing dissent against the government, how the conflict in Gaza is being handled, the influence of hard-right political parties, and the impact of these factors on the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians.0:00 Palestinians forgotten6:30 Israel’s domestic instability13:17 Israel and Gulf states19:28 Hamas’ strategy27:06 Social media disinformation37:20 Israel’s strategy and peace44:40 U.S. Support for Israel49:32 World War 3?54:07 Two-state solution-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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1 hr 5 min - Train your brain’s emotional intelligence with metacognition | Arthur Brooks
**🧠 Your Emotions Aren’t the Boss — *You* Are 🔥**
Feelings come from your **limbic system** — the emotional engine of your brain.
But here’s the kicker: it’s not smart. It just reacts. No logic. No filters. Just raw vibes 😤💥.
If you let it run the show, guess what?
You’ll be *owned* by your emotions 😬.
But you don’t have to be.
There’s a way to *take back control* — and it’s called **metacognition** 🧘♂️🔍.
Metacognition = thinking about your thinking.
It’s your **prefrontal cortex** (your rational brain 🧠) observing your emotional self 👀💭.
You’re basically saying:
“Okay, I’m feeling this… but *what does it mean?* And *what do I want to do about it?*”
🔄 Example: When a kid throws a tantrum, you say, “Use your words.”
Translation? “Stop being limbic. Be conscious.”
Now flip that advice on yourself. Every. Single. Time.
Next time you're angry or anxious:
1. Don’t react immediately 🚫🗣️
2. Count to **30** (not 10) ⏳
3. Let your brain *catch up* with your feelings
4. Then respond — *on purpose*, not on impulse 🎯
💡 Pro tip: The more you practice this, the better you get. It’s a skill, not magic.
And yeah, you’ll mess up sometimes. That’s part of it. Be kind to yourself 💛.
But here’s the real win:
✅ You’ll feel more in control
✅ You’ll be *happier*
✅ People will *love* being around you more
Because people who *respond* instead of *react*?
They're the real emotional MVPs 🏆✨.
Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes----------------------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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6 min
About Big Think
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Big Think is the leading source of expert-driven, actionable, educational content -- with thousands of videos, featuring experts ranging from Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, we help you get smarter, faster.…
Get actionable lessons from the world’s greatest thinkers & doers. Our experts are either disrupting or leading their respective fields. We aim to help you explore the big ideas and core skills that define knowledge in the 21st century, so you can apply them to the questions and challenges in your own life.
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