"The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life" is a thought-provoking book by Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson that explores the hidden motives and unconscious behaviors that drive human decision-making and social interactions.

Top 10 key insights we can gain from "The Elephant in the Brain."

Much of human behavior is driven by hidden motives, and we often deceive ourselves about our true reasons for doing things."We frequently fool ourselves, taking our own explanations seriously and at face value when, in fact, they are just stories, rationalizations for our actions."

1. **Hidden Motives**:

Humans are experts at self-deception, constructing plausible explanations for their actions that mask their true, often self-interested, motives. "Our minds consist of a multitude of subagents, each with its own agenda and motives, which can often conflict with one another."

2. **Self-Deception**:

A significant driver of human behavior is the pursuit of social status, as we engage in various activities to signal our value to others."We are status-seeking animals. Everything we do, we do in part because we want others to think well of us."

3. **Social Status**: 

Acts of altruism and charity often have hidden motives, including the desire for social recognition and admiration. "Charitable acts are often more about the giver than the recipient, as they serve as signals of generosity and benevolence."

4. **Altruism and Charity**:

We frequently condemn certain behaviors in others while engaging in similar behaviors ourselves, a phenomenon known as hypocrisy. "We are often quick to spot hypocrisy in others but are blind to our own hypocrisy."

5. **Hypocrisy**:

Even in romantic relationships, self-interest plays a significant role as individuals seek to maximize their own well-being. "In romantic relationships, we often prioritize our own interests, even if we claim to be completely selfless."

6. **Self-Interest in Relationships**: 

One of the hidden functions of education is to signal intelligence and conformity rather than solely to acquire knowledge. "Education serves as a signal of intelligence and conformity, often more so than as a source of practical knowledge."

7. **Education**: 

Much of healthcare spending is driven by signaling concerns as people seek to demonstrate their commitment to their well-being. "Our health behaviors are often about signaling that we care for our health rather than achieving optimal health outcomes."

8. **Healthcare**:

Art and entertainment can serve as signals of creativity, intelligence, and social identity. "Our preferences for art and entertainment are influenced by the desire to signal our unique tastes and cultural affiliations."

9. **Art and Entertainment**: 

Religious practices can be driven by the desire to signal moral values and commitment to the community. "Religious rituals often serve as signals of moral righteousness and social conformity."

10. **Religion**:

Political beliefs and affiliations are often driven by the desire to signal one's identity and values to a particular social group. "Political ideologies are frequently used as badges to signal allegiance to a particular social tribe."

11. **Politics**: 

Language is a powerful tool for signaling social and intellectual prowess. "Our choice of words, vocabulary, and eloquence in communication can be used to signal our intelligence and social status."

12. **Language and Communication**: 

Many consumer choices are made to signal one's wealth and social status to others. "Consumerism is often about displaying one's economic success and social standing through material possessions."

Conforming to social norms and groupthink can lead to irrational and suboptimal decisions. "Our desire to fit in with a group often leads us to make irrational decisions and conform to collective beliefs."

14. **Groupthink**:

The book suggests that our economic and political systems are shaped by these hidden motives, with implications for policy and societal change. "Understanding our hidden motives can help us design better economic and political systems that align with our true desires and incentives."

15. **Economic and Political Systems**: 

"The Elephant in the Brain" provides valuable insights into human behavior, shedding light on the often-hidden forces that drive our decisions and interactions. It encourages readers to look beneath the surface and question their own motivations and the motives of others in various aspects of life.

Human beings are primates, and primates are political animals. Our brains, therefore, are designed not just to hunt and gather, but also to help us get ahead socially, often via deception and self-deception. But while we may be self-interested schemers, we benefit by pretending otherwise. The less we know about our own ugly motives, the better - and thus we don't like to talk or even think about the extent of our selfishness. This is "the elephant in the brain." Such an introspective taboo makes it hard for us to think clearly about our nature and the explanations for our behavior. The aim of this book, then, is to confront our hidden motives directly - to track down the darker, unexamined corners of our psyches and blast them with floodlights. Then, once everything is clearly visible, we can work to better understand ourselves: Why do we laugh? Why are artists sexy? Why do we brag about travel? Why do we prefer to speak rather than listen? Our unconscious motives drive more than just our private behavior; they also infect our venerated social institutions such as Art, School, Charity, Medicine, Politics, and Religion. In fact, these institutions are in many ways designed to accommodate our hidden motives, to serve covert agendas alongside their "official" ones. The existence of big hidden motives can upend the usual political debates, leading one to question the legitimacy of these social institutions, and of standard policies designed to favor or discourage them. You won't see yourself - or the world - the same after confronting the elephant in the brain.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

philosophy

Philosophy

books

Books

humanresources

Human Resources

Kevin Simler is a writer and software engineer currently living in Brooklyn, NY. He's worked for ten years as a programmer, product designer, and engineering director, and continues to advise startups about technology, leadership, and recruiting. 

Kevin Simler

Robin Hanson is an associate professor of economics at George Mason University and a research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University. He has a doctorate in social science, master's degrees in physics and philosophy, and nine years of experience as a research programmer in artificial intelligence and Bayesian statistics. With over 3100 citations and sixty academic publications, he's recognized not only for his contributions to economics (especially, pioneering the theory and use of prediction markets), but also for the wide range of fields in which he's been published. He is the author of The Age of Em: Work, Love, and Life when Robots Rule the Earth (OUP 2016).

Robin Hanson

The Elephant in the Brain

Cultivate the power of rationality to counteract the dominance of your emotions. "Rationality is the ability to counteract emotional effects, to think instead of react."

1. Master Your Emotional Self - The Law of Irrationality: 

"The Laws of Human Nature" by Robert Greene is a book that explores the dynamics of human behavior and provides insights into understanding and influencing people.

15 main learning points from "Laws of Human Nature" 

Learn to turn your sensitivity outward and develop empathy. "Our mission in life is to come to terms with self-love and turn our sensitivity toward others."

2. Transform Self-Love Into Empathy - The Law of Narcissism: 

3. Develop Self-Awareness - The Law of Attitude: Recognize and understand your own biases to make more informed decisions. "Self-awareness is the key to unlocking personal growth and transformation."

3. Develop Self-Awareness - The Law of Attitude: 

4. Understand Human Behavior - The Law of Human Nature: Study human behavior to gain insights and predict others' actions. "By understanding human nature, we can navigate social dynamics with greater wisdom and effectiveness."

4. Understand Human Behavior - The Law of Human Nature: 

5. Communicate Effectively - The Law of Communication: Master the art of effective communication to build strong relationships. "Effective communication is the bridge that connects individuals and fosters understanding."

5. Communicate Effectively - The Law of Communication:

Develop the skills to influence and persuade others ethically. "True influence is not about manipulation but about inspiring others to embrace positive change."

6. Cultivate Influence - The Law of Influence:

Be true to yourself and embrace authenticity to build trust and credibility. "Authenticity is a magnet that attracts genuine connections and fosters meaningful relationships."

7. Embrace Authenticity - The Law of Authenticity: 

8. Practice Empathetic Listening - The Law of Listening: Develop the ability to truly listen and understand others' perspectives. "Listening is the key that unlocks the door to empathy and deep connection."

8. Practice Empathetic Listening - The Law of Listening:

Cultivate emotional intelligence to navigate and regulate your emotions effectively. "Emotional mastery empowers us to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively."

9. Develop Emotional Intelligence - The Law of Emotional Mastery:

10. Understand Power Dynamics - The Law of Power: Recognize and navigate power dynamics in personal and professional relationships. "To navigate power dynamics, we must understand its sources, strategies, and impact."

10. Understand Power Dynamics - The Law of Power:

Embrace the power of collaboration and teamwork for greater success. "Collaboration unleashes the collective potential and fosters innovation and growth."

11. Foster Collaborative Relationships - The Law of Collaboration: 

12. Manage Conflict Effectively - The Law of Conflict: Master conflict resolution skills to minimize tension and find mutually beneficial solutions. "Conflict is an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding if managed with grace and empathy."

12. Manage Conflict Effectively - The Law of Conflict:

Cultivate Resilience to Overcome Challenges and Setbacks "Resilience is the key that unlocks our inner strength and allows us to bounce back from adversity."

13. Develop Resilience - The Law of Resilience:

Cultivate mindfulness to be fully present and engage with the moment. "In the present moment, we find clarity, peace, and the power to act with intention."

14. Practice Mindfulness - The Law of Presence:

Foster a growth mindset and embrace lifelong learning for personal and professional growth. "Continuous learning keeps our minds nimble, our perspectives fresh, and our potential unlimited."

15. Embrace Continuous Learning - The Law of Growth: 

 These principles can help individuals become more self-aware, empathetic, and skilled in navigating the complexities of human behavior.

WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS BOOK AWARD 2019 From the million-copy bestselling author of The 48 Laws of Power Robert Greene is a master guide for millions of readers, distilling ancient wisdom and philosophy into essential texts for seekers of power, understanding and mastery. Now he turns to the most important subject of all - understanding people's drives and motivations, even when they are unconscious of them themselves. We are social animals. Our very lives depend on our relationships with people. Knowing why people do what they do is the most important tool we can possess, without which our other talents can only take us so far. Drawing from the ideas and examples of Pericles, Queen Elizabeth I, Martin Luther King Jr, and many others, Greene teaches us how to detach ourselves from our own emotions and master self-control, how to develop the empathy that leads to insight, how to look behind people's masks, and how to resist conformity to develop your singular sense of purpose. Whether at work, in relationships, or in shaping the world around you, The Laws of Human Nature offers brilliant tactics for success, self-improvement, and self-defence.

Robert Greene is an American author of books on strategy, power, and seduction. He has written six international bestsellers, including The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law, Mastery, and The Laws of Human Nature.

Robert Greene

The Laws of Human Nature

These are some of the benefits of self-reflection, according to the experts:

Benefits of Self-Reflection

Spending time in self-reflection can help build greater self-awareness, says Wilson. Self-awareness is a key component of emotional intelligence.4 It helps you recognize and understand your own emotions, as well as the impact of your emotions on your thoughts and behaviors.

Increased self-awareness: 

Greater sense of control: Self-reflection involves practicing mindfulness and being present with yourself at the moment. This can help you feel more grounded and in control of yourself, says Francis.

Greater sense of control: 

Self-reflection can help you improve your communication skills, which can benefit your relationships. Understanding what you’re feeling can help you express yourself clearly, honestly, and empathetically.

Improved communication skills:

Deeper alignment with core values: Self-reflection can help you understand what you believe in and why. This can help ensure that your words and actions are more aligned with your core values, Wilson explains. It can also help reduce cognitive dissonance, which is the discomfort you may experience when your behavior doesn’t align with your values, says Francis.

Deeper alignment with core values: 

Self-reflection can help you make better decisions for yourself, says Wilson. Understanding yourself better can help you evaluate all your options and how they will impact you with more clarity. This can help you make sound decisions that you’re more comfortable with, says Francis.

Better decision-making skills:

Self-reflection can help you hold yourself accountable to yourself, says Francis. It can help you evaluate your actions and recognize your personal responsibility. It can also help you hold yourself accountable for the goals you’re working toward.

Greater accountability: 

Self-reflection is important because it helps you form a self-concept and contributes toward self-development.

This article explores the benefits and importance of self-reflection, as well as some strategies to help you practice it and incorporate it into your daily life.

mindfulness

Mindfulness

health

Health

mentalhealth

Mental Health

meditation

Meditation

How Self-Reflection Can Improve Your Mental Health

Boredom is characterized by a lack of concentration and restlessness. When bored, the mind wanders, and attention is not focused on anything in particular.

The Nature of Boredom

People Prefer Physical Pain Over BoredomParticipants shocked themselves despite previously saying they would pay to avoid it. 95% of American adults participate in leisure activities, but only 17% say they enjoy them. Boredom is the state of being underwhelmed and not having appealing options. It can lead to creativity and making changes in life.

Why Boredom is Good For You

Studies show that boredom can be useful for creativity and generating ideas. It can also make individuals more altruistic, triggering thoughts about helping others.

The Benefits of Boredom

Boredom allows for thinking about the future and long-term goals. Using phones to avoid boredom can hinder goal-setting, and boredom alleviation can lead to decreased creativity and goal-setting.

Boredom and Goal-Setting

Individuals who shock themselves to avoid boredom may experience deeper pain and negative impacts on their identity.

Shocking Ourselves to Avoid Boredom

LastPass simplifies password management by eliminating the need to remember passwords. It offers features like easy password reset, multi-factor authentication, and secure password sharing with others.

Enhancing Password Management with Last Pass

In conclusion, people have shown a preference for physical pain over boredom. Boredom can have both positive and negative effects on individuals, including triggering creativity and altruism, but also hindering goal-setting and leading to negative coping mechanisms.

Conclusion:

Understanding the nature of boredom and finding healthy ways to address it is important for personal well-being and growth.

Boredom makes you more creative, altruistic, introspective, and helps with autobiographical planning.
This video was sponsored by LastPass: http://bit.ly/2wAsdUu

I feel like this video might come across as condescending but the person I'm really talking to is myself. Despite the fact that I know how useful it can be to be bored, I still find myself trying to fill every last moment with stimulus. Boredom is unpleasant - the open, unstructured thinking that can take place can also feel pointless. But now I'm made this video to remind myself how important boredom is so hopefully I'll make more time to be bored.

More resources:

The boredom leads people to shock themselves study:
Just Think: The challenges of the disengaged mind
https://wjh-www.harvard.edu/~dtg/WILSON%20ET%20AL%202014.pdf

Boredom leads people to consider their future and set goals study:
Back to the future: Autobiographical planning and the functionality of mind-wandering
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053810011001978

On boredom and altruism:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/ca72/0f959d3c9c31187ac30b28ecfec430bc98cc.pdf

Does boredom make us more creative?
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10400419.2014.901073

Amazing filming by Raquel Nuno

Music from http://epidemicsound.com "I Think I Was There" "Critical Thinking 2" "Wide Open" "Seaweed" "A Sound Foundation 1"

Music also by Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com "Fig Leaf Rag"

An element of truth - videos about science, education, and anything else I find interesting.

Veritasium

By considering these points, one can approach life's battles with a strategic mindset, adapting to ever-changing circumstances, understanding opponents, and leveraging opportunities for success.
<ol>
<li>Life is a constant battle that requires adaptability</li>
<li>Knowing yourself and understanding your opponent</li>
<li>Understanding the enemy and striking their weakness</li>
<li>Adapting strategy to changing circumstances</li>
<li>Achieving victory without direct conflict through deception</li>
<li>Emotions have no place in strategy</li>
<li>Taking advantage of chaos</li>
<li>The value of true friendships</li>
</ol>

8 Life Lessons Every Man NEEDS - The Art Of War ( Sun Tzu )

This suggests that life is challenging and dynamic, and in order to succeed, one must be able to adapt to changing circumstances.

1. Life is a constant battle that requires adaptability:

It is essential to have self-awareness and an understanding of one's strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Additionally, understanding your opponent's objectives, traits, habits, and biases can provide a strategic advantage.

2. Knowing yourself and understanding your opponent:

By observing patterns in the enemy's behavior, calculating risks, and adapting plans accordingly, one can identify and exploit their weaknesses.

3. Understanding the enemy and striking their weakness:

Recognizing that there is no perfect plan, it is crucial to stay flexible, and open-minded, and avoid direct conflict. This allows for adjustments based on evolving situations.

4. Adapting strategy to changing circumstances: 

Misdirection and presenting false information can help gain the upper hand and achieve objectives without risking direct confrontation.

5. Achieving victory without direct conflict through deception: 

It is important to detach oneself from emotions and analyze them objectively. Triggering emotions in others can be advantageous, but one should never allow emotions to cloud judgment or become complacent in conflict situations.

6. Emotions have no place in strategy:

Amidst the chaos, there are opportunities waiting to be seized. Remaining calm, observant, and adaptable allows one to identify and capitalize on these opportunities.

7. Taking advantage of chaos:

Building genuine friendships involves vulnerability and exposing weaknesses. True friends provide strength, healing, and wisdom. Developing the skill of making friends and acknowledging their value while also showing appreciation is crucial.

8. The value of true friendships:

Every man needs to learn these lessons to dominate in life. Life is a battlefield. Endless competition

an ancient military treatise by Sun Tzu on warfare, statesmanship thinking and tactical methods, business tactics, countertactics, negotiation, dialogue, cooperation plans, approach strategies, diplomacy, and diplomatic manoeuvresThe Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise attributed to Sun Tzu a high-ranking military general, strategist and tactician, and it was believed to have been compiled during the late Spring and Autumn period or early Warring States period. The text is composed of 13 chapters, each of which is devoted to one aspect of warfare. It is commonly known to be the definitive work on military strategy and tactics of its time. It has been the most famous and influential of China's Seven Military Classics, and for the last two thousand years it

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

Sun Tzu (孫子; pinyin: Sūnzǐ) is a honorific title bestowed upon Sūn Wu (孫武 c. 544-496 BC), the author of The Art of War (孫子兵法), an immensely influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy. Sun Tzu believed in the use of the military sciences to effect outcomes that would result in peace.In the author's name, Sūn Wu, the character wu, meaning "military", is the same as the character in wu shu, or martial art. Sun Wu also has a courtesy name, Chang Qing (Cháng Qīng).

Sun Tzu

the art of war

Having close friends is crucial for both happiness and health. Loneliness and disconnectedness are prevalent, particularly among young people who have been impacted by social distancing measures.

1. Close friends contribute to happiness and well-being:

The most important principle in making friends is regularly spending time together. Proximity is more important than having similar interests. Making friends should not be seen as a numbers game, and comparing oneself to others is not productive.

2. Regularly spending time with people is essential:

It is common for people to have fewer friends in their thirties due to factors such as work, romance, and family responsibilities. Retaining friendships demands regular attention and effort.

3. Friendships require consistent attention and energy:

4. Friendship networks can be vulnerable: Friendship networks often revolve around central hubs, leaving individuals susceptible to disconnection if these hubs are disrupted. The friendship paradox suggests that most people have fewer friends than their friends do. To make new friends, it is important to intentionally seek out connections and invest time and quality in interactions.

4. Friendship networks can be vulnerable:

5. Understanding oneself and exploring interests: Knowing oneself and exploring personal interests is beneficial when seeking new friends. Understanding one's personality helps identify the type of people, environments, and activities that are most likely to bring happiness. Trying out various places and activities, such as local clubs, volunteering, gaming nights, wine tasting, sports clubs, and hiking, can help find individuals who share common interests.

5. Understanding oneself and exploring interests:

Building friendships requires a proactive approach. Reach out to people by organizing events, as everyone appreciates it. Taking the first step and initiating contact can lead to lifelong friendships.

6. Actively invest in building friendships:

Demonstrating genuine interest in others and showing that you care is essential for making friends. People are more likely to like those who take an interest in them. Sharing personal stories signals openness and creates connections.

7. Show genuine interest and care:

Make a conscious effort to prioritize friendships and regularly check in with friends. Show genuine interest in their lives. Engage in social opportunities and consider sharing gifts with friends. It is important to have fun and enjoy friendships without expectations.

8. Prioritize friendships and have fun without expectations: 

By considering these points, individuals can increase their chances of making and maintaining meaningful and fulfilling friendships in their lives.

Here are some key points to consider when it comes to making and maintaining meaningful friendships:

Why You Are Lonely and How to Make Friends

 Individuals can increase their chances of forming lasting and meaningful friendships. Remember that making friends is a process that requires consistent effort, genuine interest, and an open mindset.

We want to be part of your friendship journey, so we’ve created a few things you can share with new and old friends: https://kgs.link/shop-166

Sources & further reading:
https://sites.google.com/view/sources-friendship/

Friends make life good. They provide the scaffolding that makes it not just bearable but fun. They give us a sense of meaning and purpose and are a source of security, self esteem and happiness. Almost nothing predicts how happy you will be as how connected you feel and a lack of social connection is associated with a number of diseases and a shorter life.

But maybe you have scrolled through your phone, unsure who to call to go to a movie with, to celebrate with or ask for comfort. You may realize that you don’t have enough friends and feel lonely. And it is not just you. Disconnectedness and loneliness are widespread. 

Many people want more close friends but don’t know how to get them.


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Animation videos explaining things with optimistic nihilism since 12,013.

We’re a team of illustrators, animators, number crunchers and one dog who aim to spark curiosity about science and the world we live in. To us nothing is boring if you tell a good story.

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Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell

Here are some strategies that can help:
<ol>
<li>Don't fall into the trap of urgency</li>
<li>Embrace the power of introspection</li>
<li>Boost your communication skills</li>
<li>Solve problems systematically</li>
<li>Embrace curiosity and lifelong learning</li>
<li>Engage in critical thinking exercises</li>
<li>Practice self-compassion</li>
</ol>

How can you improve your critical thinking skills?

If you tend to rush through decision-making when under the pressure of too many demands, you can develop self-awareness of your counterproductive habit, and learn to pause or take a break before rushing forward.

1. Don't fall into the trap of urgency. 

Take the time to reflect on your own thoughts, experiences, and biases. Reflective thinking helps you gain self-awareness, consider different perspectives, and evaluate your own reasoning.

2. Embrace the power of introspection and engage in deep contemplation. 

Engage in active listening to understand others’ viewpoints and perspectives. Practice expressing your thoughts clearly, constructively, and logically, fostering productive discussions and debates.

3. Boost your communication skills by practicing active listening and effective communication techniques.

Break down complex problems into smaller components, identify underlying issues, and consider multiple solutions. Practice problem-solving techniques, such as brainstorming, evaluating alternatives, and anticipating potential consequences.

4. Solve problems systematically:

Cultivate a mindset of interest and a thirst for knowledge. Be open to new ideas, seek diverse perspectives, and continuously expand your understanding through reading, research, and learning from others.

5. Embrace curiosity and lifelong learning:

Solve puzzles, riddles, or logical problems that challenge your reasoning abilities. Engage in debates, analyze case studies, or participate in critical thinking workshops or courses to sharpen your skills.

6. Engage in critical thinking exercises:

Thinking deeply is not easy in a world of distractions. Develop a regular meditation or exercise practice to manage stress. Remember that deep thinking requires nurturing yourself and taking time to slow down.

7. Practice self-compassion:

Many young people seem to find themselves stuck in a practical or survival thinking mindset that can negatively impact their ability to function personally and professionally over time.

Here's how to get back this important life skill.

The Decline of Critical Thinking Skills

-Self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.  - It involves taking time to think deeply about one's thoughts, actions, and experiences.

1. **The Value of Self-Reflection:**

Here are the important points from the article, elaborated for easy understanding:

Don't Underestimate the Power of Self-Reflection

-In today's fast-paced world, self-reflection is often neglected or undervalued.  -Many people focus on constant action and external validation, leaving little room for introspection.

2. **The Neglected Practice:**

It underscores that self-reflection is a powerful and often underestimated tool for personal and professional development. It offers numerous benefits, from improved decision-making and leadership skills to aligning actions with values and finding purpose. The article provides practical tips for incorporating self-reflection into one's routine and highlights its potential impact on organizations as well.

Research shows the habit of reflection can separate extraordinary professionals from mediocre ones. But how do you sort which experiences are most significant for your development? To answer this questions, the authors asked 442 executives to reflect on which experiences most advanced their professional development and had the most impact on making them better leaders. Three distinct themes arose through their analysis: surprise, frustration, and failure. Reflections that involved one or more or of these sentiments proved to be the most valuable in helping the leaders grow. Surprise, frustration, and failure. Cognitive, emotional, and behavioral. These parts of you are constantly in motion and if you don’t give them time to rest and reflect upon what you learned from them, you will surely fatigue.

The Elephant in the Brain

The Laws of Human Nature

How Self-Reflection Can Improve Your Mental Health

Why Boredom is Good For You

the art of war

Alex Benevolent