For a long time, a rationalist model of the mind prevailed. We believed that, given the choice, humans would act with rational self-interest. Today, it's understood that this isn't the case. We don't always or even usually act rationally. And we often self-sabotage our judgements using oversimplified heuristics that fail us.
'Thinking' With Our Whole Body
New belief systems are shiny, with all the bells and whistles. But being the first to 'download the update,' we also experience the bugs. Debugging is a process to smooth out the new operating system with older features. New belief systems also inevitably conflict with older belief system features. It takes some generations to 'debug' the new belief system.
Understand Yourself With the Big 5 Personality Traits
Being a human today is complicated. Life can be challenging enough without having to go against the grain of our basic personality. Which is why it's important for us to do what we're best suited for. This applies to work, relationships, and even how we spend our free time.
Self knowledge allows us to do more of what we're good at, and, at least, develop strategies to counterbalance our weaknesses. But even more important, self-knowledge helps us navigate the moment-by-moment flow of life.
How the Forces of Persuasion Rule Our Lives
The Surprising Pathway to Practical Mindfulness
Anything that brings you a feeling of unease is a sign. This feeling means you must repair this thing first. Feeling exhausted? Maybe you need to rest. Anger? Maybe you need to forgive and feel more empathy. Feeling lethargic? Perhaps exercise will help. Whatever the feeling, there is an appropriate response.
Addiction: Our Stupid Friend
Defense Against The Assault on Attention
Social Connections Have Supernatural Power to Change Us
There is groundbreaking research into the power of community. We become like the people we surround ourselves with. But it’s even spookier than that. It’s not only the people we’re in direct contact with who influence our behavior. The research shows that we are even affected by our friends’ friends' friends.
How Our Mental Habits Destroy Work Satisfaction
There’s a thin chance you'll have an industrial-style, widget-churning job. And even if you do, that daily task won’t fulfill you. You'll feel empty, a shell of a person, only partly developed. Because, on a deep, psychological level our work has to matter. And doing something that matters means doing deep work. The shallow life of pleasure, comfort, and distraction has failed. So, what else will you do with your working life except deep work?