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Big Think
By bigthinkEducation
Big Think episodes
- Do less, become happier, says Yale cognitive scientist | Laurie Santos
What if our incessant drive for self-improvement isn't always conducive to happiness?
Cognitive scientist Laurie Santos proposes this intriguing question. She notes that while evolution has wired us for relentless self-enhancement, our modern environment, ripe with comparisons and demands for excellence, amplifies this instinct, often to our detriment. The incessant push for "more" and "better" can lead to societal harm, fostering a competitive, individualistic society rather than one rooted in collective harmony and goodwill. Moreover, it can compromise personal happiness. Genuine well-being, Santos suggests, arises from extending compassion towards others and ourselves.Self-compassion, defined as mindfulness, recognition of common humanity, and self-kindness, can surprisingly enhance performance and resilience without a drill-sergeant approach. Breaking free from the pervasive "hustle culture" requires acknowledging its illusory nature, prioritizing kindness towards oneself, orienting towards others, and practicing gratitude to appreciate one's journey.0:00 The drive for perfection1:48 2 consequences of pushing too hard2:38 3 parts of self-compassion4:15 Why hustle culture is toxic4:59 Happiness comes from other-oriented behavior.com/the-well/how-hus...-----------------------------------------------------------------------About Laurie Santos:Dr. Laurie Santos is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Yale University. Her research provides an interface between evolutionary biology, developmental psychology, and cognitive neuroscience, exploring the evolutionary origins of the human mind by comparing the cognitive abilities of human and non-human primates. Her experiments focus on non-human primates (in captivity and in the field), incorporating methodologies from cognitive development, animal learning psychology, and cognitive neuroscience.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------06:30-19---------------------
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10 min - Why altruism is selfish | Neuroscientist Abigail Marsh
“If we didn't find helping other people pleasurable, we wouldn’t be altruistic.”.
One of the reasons that many people argue that there is no such thing as “true altruism,” that people are never purely motivated to help other people for their own sake, is because, paradoxically, altruism is a source of enormous joy for those who help others.
Those who have made significant sacrifices for the benefit of others, such as donating a kidney, will attest to this. They’ll often say that it was one of the best decisions they made and would make it over and over if possible because of how happy it made them to help out the recipient. With this in mind, it’s easy to assume that nothing is ever truly altruistic because of the pleasure doing good can evoke.
Neuroscientist Abigail Marsh says that this perspective can be a bit puritanical. Marsh says that actually, the best part of altruism is the sense of joy it brings, because these feelings encourage people to engage with it more often. Here’s why that principal actually underscores altruism, instead of contradicting it.
About Abigail Marsh:
Abigail Marsh is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program at Georgetown University. She received her PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University in 2004.
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9 min - Psychedelics could heal your trauma, says neuroscientist Rachel Yehuda.
“Traumatic experiences are here to stay, and we shouldn’t view them as a prison.” Professor of Neuroscience Rachel Yehuda on how psychedelics may help liberate us from our post-traumatic stress.
For myriad reasons, trauma is becoming a bigger part of everyday life in our society. Rachel Yehuda, who studies PTSD and the psychological effects of trauma, believes while many of us have become more educated on how traumatic events affect our mental health, we also might be inadvertently convincing ourselves that suffering from mental illness after trauma is inevitable.Yehuda believes trauma is survivable with the right tools and treatments. She is particularly interested in the potential of psychedelics, like MDMA, to facilitate post-traumatic growth and healing.She discusses potential of psychedelics in assisting psychotherapy, allowing individuals to delve deep into their trauma while remaining coherent. She also emphasizes that the success of these therapies depends on the setting, intention, and therapist's expertise.--------------------------------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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17 min - The test that reveals your hidden strengths | Laurie Santos
Drawing from the wisdom of ancient philosophers like Aristotle, history has taught us that the pursuit of a good life is found in cultivating virtues. Yale psychologist Laurie Santos brings us into the modern era of virtuous living by unpacking various schools of thought — from Martin Seligman and Chris Peterson’s 24 character strengths to the Japanese practice of ikigai.
While engaging with character strengths enhances our sense of meaning and happiness, it’s our unique “signature strengths” that have a profound impact on our lives. Contrary to the common belief that monetary rewards drive job satisfaction, engaging more of our signature strengths at work not only leads to increased job fulfillment but also improves performance and potentially increases earnings.But the application of virtue extends beyond the workplace. Finding ways to incorporate humor, zest, or a love of learning into our leisure activities can unlock greater fulfillment and meaning during our free time. Whether through self-reflection or a systematic survey, identifying our signature strengths and committing to their regular practice empowers us to live a more virtuous and meaningful life.0:00 The wheel of virtue: 6 domains, 24 character strengths1:11 Your signature strengths3:06 Job crafting4:54 Take the signature strengths test-------------------
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10 min - Former Uber exec explains how to turn failure into innovation | Emil Michael
“You’re not punished for failing, you’re punished for not trying.” Former Uber exec Emil Michael on how to truly achieve success.
Looking to bring Emil Michael’s insights to leaders across your company? Great. This video is part of an 11-part expert class on emotionally intelligent leadership and it’s available to organizations that subscribe to Big Think+.Emil Michael, former Chief Business Officer at Uber, believes failure is vital to success. According to him, failure played a pivotal role in the stratospheric expansion that made Uber one of the world’s fastest-growing companies.Michael points to Uber's endeavors in China, where immense opportunities clashed with daunting operational costs, including intense competition with local rival DiDi. He delves into the complex decision-making by both himself and Uber’s founder, Travis Kalanick, that ultimately led it to merge with its competitor.Michael believes a high level of business acumen is required to transform setbacks into strategic victories. He encourages anyone trying to create something to embrace failure and harness their ambition to foster exponential growth.--------------------
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12 min - Sex education has left autistic people—and many others—behind | Emily Nagoski
Our one-size-fits-all approach to sex education hasn't worked for a long time. Sex educator Emily Nagoski explains what we know (and don't know) about the role neurodiversity plays in intimacy.
Sex educator Emily Nagoski discusses why we need to better understand the role of sex among neurodivergent people. Are the sexual needs of neurodivergent people different from those who are neurotypical? And if they are, how can we teach about it in a way that makes an impact?Nagoski believes it is time to ditch the one-size-fits-all approach to sex education that leaves neurodivergent people behind. Factors such as sensory sensitivities, social dynamics, and behavioral patterns likely shape their experiences, as well as that of their partners.More in-depth research will not only help sex educators provide more inclusive guidance, but also help neurodivergent people, and the people who love them, have better sex.-----------------------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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9 min - Everything does NOT happen for a reason | Brian Klaas
“We control nothing but influence everything.” Political scientist Brian Klaas on how every decision we make - both massive and miniscule - shapes our futures.
How does your entire life change when you decide, one morning, to hit the snooze button? How did one vacation to a Japanese city prevent it from a national attack?Political scientist Brian Klass explains what is commonly known as “the butterfly effect,” the idea that tiny changes divert the trajectory of our entire lives.These “ripples” show us that while nothing happens “for a reason,” every single thing we do matters. One random choice has the power to alter the course of history. These invisible “flukes” influence our lives, societies, and the world as we know it.Chapters:
0:00 The vacation1:33 The noise1:57 Everything doesn’t happen for a reason2:20 Contingency vs. Convergence3:00 The Snooze Button effect4:35 The interconnectedness of life6:20 Cosmic purpose vs. Accident-----------------------------------------------About Brian Klaas:Dr. Brian Klaas is an Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London, an affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford, and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. He is also the author five books, including Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters (2024) and Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us (2021). Klaas writes the popular The Garden of Forking Paths Substack and created the award-winning Power Corrupts podcast, which has been downloaded roughly three million times.Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes--------------------
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16 min - Generative AI is not the panacea we’ve been promised | Eric Siegel for Big Think+
There's an illusion around generative AI. 🤖 Headlines promise it’ll revolutionize everything, solve business problems, and displace workers. But that’s hype.
Generative AI is *impressive*, yes — capable of first drafts, conversations, and mimicking human language. But it isn’t magic. It's not autonomous. You still need to proofread, verify, and correct it. ✍️
Meanwhile, **predictive AI** — the older cousin — quietly delivers real, measurable value. It improves operations by making **data-driven predictions** that inform decisions:
- Who to market to 🛒
- Which transaction is likely fraud 💳
- Which train wheel or building might fail 🚂🔥
- Which patient might be readmitted 🏥
These predictions help prioritize and triage at scale — fast, autonomously, and effectively.
Timestamps:
0:00 - The Generative AI illusion
1:05 - Generative AI’s function
3:13 - Generative vs. Predictive
4:21 - The Predictive AI process
6:57 - Moving towards AGI?
I’m Eric Siegel — CEO of Goodr AI and author of *The AI Playbook*. I’ve watched AI hype evolve since the '80s, and I believe **value lies in action**. Predictive AI is the real engine behind enterprise optimization.
Take UPS, for example. 📦 They use predictive AI to forecast tomorrow’s deliveries — even before all packages arrive — allowing for optimized routes and loading. The result? $350M saved yearly, and major emissions cuts. ♻️
It’s not about perfection. It’s about probability, scale, and deployment.
Generative AI is amazing to watch — but if you're chasing **Artificial General Intelligence** (AGI), you're buying into a sci-fi dream. The real power of AI today? Concrete, credible, enterprise use cases. 🚀
Forget the hype. Focus on **what improves operations now** — and deploy it.
About Eric Siegel:
Eric Siegel is a leading consultant and former Columbia University and UVA Darden professor. He is the founder of the long-running Machine Learning Week conference series, a frequent keynote speaker, and author of "The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment," as well as the bestselling "Predictive Analytics: The Power to Predict Who Will Click, Buy, Lie, or Die."
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13 min - Debunking doomerism: 4 futurists on why we’re actually not f*cked | Kevin Kelly & more
Explore the future with visionaries Kevin Kelly, Peter Schwartz, Ari Wallach, and Tyler Cowen.
While each is looking into the future through a different lens, they all share a belief in the power of optimism and proactive engagement as essential tools for overcoming today's challenges.Wallach introduces "Longpath," urging long-term thinking, while Kelly advocates for "Protopia," emphasizing gradual progress. Schwartz highlights scenario planning's importance, emphasizing curiosity and collaboration. Cowen reflects on America's progress and calls for urgency.Together, they stress empathy, transgenerational thinking, and diverse futures to collectively build a better tomorrow. The message: the future is a continuous creation requiring proactive, collective action.-------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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37 min - The ‘alpha male’ myth, debunked | Frans de Waal
Primatologist Frans de Waal inadvertently popularized the term ‘alpha male.’ Now, he’s debunking common stereotypes to explain what an ‘alpha male’ really is – empathetic and protective.
All social animals establish hierarchies, but being an “alpha male” is not merely about strength or intimidation, according to primatologist Frans de Waal. An alpha male can often be a figure admired for empathy and protectiveness.De Waal criticizes the misconception of the term as synonymous with a bully. He further explores the concept of gender, arguing its flexibility and highlighting the existence of significant individual variability in behavior among primates. De Waal emphasizes empathy as a key factor in social cohesion, suggesting it might hint at morality among primates.Despite our advancements, he believes humans are fundamentally similar to primates emotionally and socially.0:00 What is an alpha male?1:25 ‘Chimpanzee Politics’ and the 1980s cultural fervor2:20 The alpha male is not a personality type3:34 Sex & gender: Donna the chimp5:38 We’re apes with technology and college degrees----------------------------------------------------------------------------------About Frans de Waal:Dr. Frans B. M. De Waal is a Dutch/American behavioral biologist and primatologist known for his work on the behavior and social intelligence of primates. His first book, Chimpanzee Politics (1982), compared the schmoozing and scheming of chimpanzees involved in power struggles with that of human politicians. His scientific work has been published in hundreds of technical articles in journals such as Science, Nature, Scientific American, and outlets specialized in animal behavior. His popular books - translated into 20+ languages - have made him one of the world's most visible primatologists. His latest books are Mama’s Last Hug (Norton, 2019) and Different: Gender Through the Eyes of a Primatologist (Norton, 2022). De Waal is C. H. Candler Professor Emeritus at Emory University and Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Utrecht University. He has been elected to the (U.S.) National Academy of Sciences as well as the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2007, Time declared him one of "The World's 100 Most Influential People Today."-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------06:30-19
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11 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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