"Love is to realize there is truth beyond yourself"

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Love expands your perspective: In a self-centered view, the world revolves around you and your needs. Love, however, encourages you to see the world from another person's perspective.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Love fosters connection: When you love someone, you connect with them on a deeper level than just your own wants. You become invested in their happiness and well-being, creating a bond that transcends you.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Love opens you to growth: True love motivates you to become a better person. You might be willing to make sacrifices or compromise for the sake of the relationship.</li></ul>

What has love got to do with truth

This quote stuck with me for a long time. Very Buddhist in nature. 

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Philosophy

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Personal Development

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Mindfulness

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Motivation & Inspiration

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Love & Relationships

Love is the truth beyond yourself

Cultural imprinting is a mechanism by which an ad changes the culture, by changing how we are perceived by others when we use a product. Cultural imprinting works because it relies on the principle of common knowledge, which means both the ads and the product usage has to be conspicuous. We all see the ad advertising "Corona" as the drink for chilling at the beach. And we all communicate the association to the message when we pick a Corona at a party. This is why cultural imprinting ads are found on billboards. And why it works for Coca-Cola but not for a bedsheet company.

Brand advertising = Cultural Imprinting

Imagine you see an ad for a new brand of sneakers. The ad features cool people wearing the sneakers and having fun. This might make you think that if you wear those sneakers, you'll also be cool and have fun. That's cultural imprinting!Ads don't directly tell you the sneakers are good, instead, they try to make you think that wearing them will change how other people see you. In other words, according to the article, ads don't convince you a product is great, they try to convince you that using the product will make you look great in the eyes of others.

Cultural Imprinting in Real life

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Emotional imprinting is the idea that ads can create positive associations between a product and feelings. These associations can influence us to buy a product later, even if we don't consciously remember the ad.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Cultural imprinting is about how ads change the culture by creating associations between a product and a group of people. </li></ul>So, the key difference between the two is the former works on an individual level, by creating positive associations between a product and our emotions, while the later works on a societal level, by creating associations between products and social groups.

Cultural Imprinting vs Emotional Imprinting

Not every company can play the cultural game. Alternatives:- Informing customers about a product: "FYI, product X exists. Here's how it works. It's available if you need it." Hopefully by repeating it enough time sales happen.- Overt persuasion: "4/5 doctors prefer Camels" or "Verizon: America's largest 4G LTE network"- Making promises: Guarantee or warrantees, but more often a brand image. Like Disney = "family entertainment"- Honest signaling: an ads in a very expensive location. A huge billboard announces (subtextually), "We're willing to spend a lot of $ on this. We're committed to it."

The Alternative Ways to Advertise

A compelling explanation for the psychology of  brand advertising.

Discover the world of business and economics.

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Economics

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Marketing & Sales

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Society, Arts & Culture

Ads Don’t Work That Way

James Lang proposes that educators can significantly improve student learning by making small, research-backed changes to their teaching methods.He focuses on practical applications from cognitive science that don't overwhelm with complex theories. 3 main areas of focus:<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Memorisation - students must bear in mind things before they can put them in order</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Understanding - increase comprehension and acquisition of complex cognitive skills </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Motivation - getting excited about the topic</li></ol>

Small Teachings Framework

Small tweaks can. provide the conditions in class for students to actively retrieve information that they have encountered previously:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Stopping mid way to ask students for predictions: "What do you think happens next"</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Frequent low stakes quizzing. Stopping from time to time to ask question witthout making it seem like a test.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Having students summarize the main points of the class</li></ul>

Hacks for Understanding

Lang suggests polling students about their prior knowledge of subjects. This strengthens memory and understanding:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Before introducing a new concept, ask students what they already know about it.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Have students make mental maps together.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Make connections to real-world applications.</li></ul>

Developing student motivation is crucial for academic success. Here are some tips to keep students motivated:<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Arrive early to class to establish a connection with students</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Remind students of the bigger picture and why the course is important</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Show enthusiasm and passion for the subject</li></ol>

Hacks for Student Motivation

“Asking students to predict and retrieve or self‐explain won’t get them very far in their learning if they truly don’t care about the course material or if they believe that they are incapable of learning from it”

James Lang is an educator who proposes tactical changes in class to improve the performance of his students. 

Employ cognitive theory in the classroom every day Research into how we learn has opened the door for utilizing cognitive theory to facilitate better student learning. But that's easier said than done. Many books about cognitive theory introduce radical but impractical theories, failing to make the connection to the classroom. In Small Teaching, James Lang presents a strategy for improving student learning with a series of modest but powerful changes that make a big difference—many of which can be put into practice in a single class period. These strategies are designed to bridge the chasm between primary research and the classroom environment in a way that can be implemented by any faculty in any discipline, and even integrated into pre-existing teaching techniques. Learn, for example: <ul> <li>How does one become good at retrieving knowledge from memory?</li> <li>How does making predictions now help us learn in the future?</li> <li>How do instructors instill fixed or growth mindsets in their students?</li> </ul> Each chapter introduces a basic concept in cognitive theory, explains when and how it should be employed, and provides firm examples of how the intervention has been or could be used in a variety of disciplines. Small teaching techniques include brief classroom or online learning activities, one-time interventions, and small modifications in course design or communication with students.

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Learning & Education

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Problem Solving

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Books

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Science & Nature

James M. Lang

Small Teaching

It's very hard to make meaningful change on something you are not naturally passionate about. Your energy, focus, and resilience will be much higher, and you will be much more likely to succeed. A passion is a gift. Use it.

You don't choose a passion, a passion chooses you

Your talents are a gift, you didn't earn them.Take pride in how you use them, not just having them.True excellence comes from combining gifts with dedication and effort. Put in hard work and consistent practice, and see your talents shine.

Pride in Effort, Not Talent

"Being right a lot" has nothing to do with intelligence, it's a skill that requires discipline, humility, & comfortability with looking like an idiot. How:<ol><li>Listen a lot. Most of being right a lot is about gathering as much data as possible. Good leaders listen. They develop the ability to ask good questions and to challenge bias. They seek out people with different perspectives.</li><li>People may say you're a fool/don't know what you're doing. To be great, you must get rid of any internal need for people to think you're smart.</li><li>You must seek out info that challenge your most deeply held beliefs. </li></ol>

Good leaders are right a lot

You have to be constantly experimenting. Avoid sunk cost bias at all cost. Be willing to pivot all of your work to something new when you encounter new data. The startup graveyard is filled with companies rigid on details.

Be stubborn on vision, and flexible on details

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos shares tips about his management style and philosophy with a crowd at the 2016 Pathfinder Awards at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. Bezos is interviewed by Steve Taylor, chief pilot for Boeing Flight Services.

More details here: http://www.geekwire.com/2016/amazon-founder-jeff-bezos-offers-6-leadership-principles-change-mind-lot-embrace-failure-ditch-powerpoints/

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Welcome to GeekWire's YouTube channel. Enjoy our videos and be sure to check us out at GeekWire.com.

GeekWire

Jeff Bezos shares his management style and philosophy

Jeff Bezos on his management style and philosophy

Religion us not really ablut deities. Religion is about interpreting the world through myth, rituals and folklore. As opposed to data, experimentation and rarionalism.Religion imposes a narrative structure to the world as opposed to the scientific approach. This also explains why the religious impulse is so universal.

Religion Is Not About Gods Necesarily

Orthodox Religions like Catholicism focus on belief and the manifestation of that belief. You have to șah the right words, pray and so forth. Orthopractic Religions like Judaism are much more focus on acting a certain way. How you act is more important than what you say. Clearly the first are much more popular than the second. Because talking is cheaper.

Orthodox vs Orthopractic Religions

Christianity is Judaism with product market fit.

In this conversation, Erik Torenberg sits down with Antonio Garcia Martinez, founder of Spindl and author of ‘Chaos Monkeys’, and Parker Thompson, partner at SAX Capital, TNT Ventures, and AngelList, to explore the influence of social media on society. They discuss media literacy and journalism, how politics change people's views of social media, and the rise of unique religious movements in social activism. This episode marks the first time Erik interviewed Antonio Garcia Martinez on Venture Stories back in 2019 and remains relevant today. If you're looking for an ERP platform, check out NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen. -- SPONSORS: NETSUITE NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/zen and download your own customized KPI checklist.  --  FOLLOW ON X: @antoniogm (Antonio) @pt (Parker) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @moz_podcast (Moment of Zen) @TurpentineMedia  -- BOOKS CITED: Chaos Monkeys by Antonio Garcia Martinez Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man by Marshall McLuhan  Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America by Daniel J. Boorstin The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium by Martin Gurri Seven Types of Atheism by John Gray --  TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:23) Impact of Facebook (02:41) Evolution of Media and Its Influence on Society (10:10) Journalism and Media Ethics (26:25) Effectiveness of Media Regulation (33:10) Facebook's Content Curation (34:02) Content Control (35:32) Impact of Algorithms on Society and Business (38:50) Generational Shifts in Media Consumption (45:57) Exploring the Ideology of Silicon Valley (49:44) Secular Religions and the Quest for Community (58:39) Future of Religion and Community in the Digital Age (01:03:36) Wrap  This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

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Religion & Spirituality

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History

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Podcasts

Every week, Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, Antonio Garcia Martinez and frequent special guests discuss what's happening in technology, business, politics, and beyond. Moment of Zen is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co

"Moment of Zen"

E70:  Antonio on Social Media, Journalism, and New Religions with Parker Thompson

New Religions with Antonio Garcia Martinez

Dune is the best-selling SF novel of all time. Created by Frank Herbert in the 1960s, it changed SF forever with its deeply philosophical flavor of science fiction. The story takes place in a distant future where humanity is divided into a feudal system, ruled by an emperor and armies that fight using blades. There is no technology except for a magical drug called "spice" that can only be found on the planet Arrakis, home of the giant sand worms.Paul is a prince from House Atreides who leads the Fremen, the natives of Arrakis, against the enemies of his house and then the empire at large.

Frank Herbert's Dune

Frank Herbert's Sources of Inspiration:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Studying sand dunes for work</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Experimentation with psychedelic drugs in the 60s</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Basing Paul on historical figures like Alexander the Great or Lawrence of Arabia</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Comparing the fremen to Arab bedouins and the Harkonens to Soviets</li></ul>In Dune, Herbert weaves historical lessons through an allegorical tale that is both complex and intriguing.

The Inspiration Behind Dune

Arrakis is the only planet in the Dune Universe where the spice is produced. The spice is essential for interstellar travel, as the operators of spaceships need it to plot courses & for the religion in the empire as a conscience-enhancing drug. <ul><li class="ql-align-justify"> Frank Herbert consumed both magic mushrooms & LSD during the hippie revolution and came to believe that expanding our consciousness is a better path forward for humanity than technology. </li><li class="ql-align-justify"> During his time, the importance of oil became obvious, which at that time came from the Middle East. </li></ul> Herbert thus combined these two magical ingredients into one.

Where Does the Spice Come From?

Paul's history is Greek. Atreides, Leto, and all are Greek names. Leto's banner was a bull, an ancient Greek symbol. Like Alexander the Great, Paul had a great dad, a powerful mom who belonged to a religious sect & had to blend with the desert people to rule over them.But Paul's story is also that of T. E. Lawrence, a famous Englishman who led the Arabs against the Ottoman occupation during WW1. Like Paul, Lawrence adopted the culture of the Arab population and was a big advocate for Arab nationalism.However, Paul is not a good guy. His accession serves as a warning against prophets.

The Messiah

Feudalism is the system of government in "Dune," similar to the Middle Ages or "Game of Thrones." This is because Frank Herbert believed feudalism was the natural political order. He believed most people want to be led and that freedom was a burden for most. So, in "Dune," society is divided into houses:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The Atreides represent the civilized West.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The Harkonnen are the Soviets, which Herbert despised (he was related to Joseph McCarthy, a U.S. anti-communist).</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The Corrinos, the house of the Emperor, are the Ottomans who created the modern standing army (like the Sardaukar in "Dune").</li></ul>

The Houses

The Fremen are the Arabs, conquered by the Ottomans and ruled by the British and the French. Arabs became the model for the Fremen, the native population of Arrakis.Like the Arabs sitting on piles of oil, the Fremen's planet is the only planet producing spice. And like the Arabs, their religion is heavily dependent on prophecies. Frank Herbert believed that the Arabs could form a new superpower if they managed to unite under one banner. A unification that has to be religious in nature, just like in his book.

The Fremen

There are no computers in Dune. The interstellar ships are operated by humans and the fighting is done with blades, not lasers. Before the events in the books, Herbert imagined a war between humans and AI, after which technology became banned. Personal shields, immune to projectile weapons, elevated the use of swords.Herbert was distrustful of technology. After experimenting with psychedelic drugs, he became convinced that our progress relied more on the expansion of our consciousness. That's why the spice plays such a key role in his books.

The Ban on Technology

What are some of the themes and historical references for Dune? 

Frank Herbert's original Dune was published in 1965, and became the best selling sci-fi novel of all time. With the release of Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two, the novel has been successfully adapted for the big screen, after decades of misfiring attempts. But what are the origins of the Dune universe? Who are the Fremen? Is it an allegory for the world we live in? 

In this video, Matt Lewis talks through the history behind this epic story, from Arab nationalism to magic mushrooms and the origins of the Atreides. The script and editing was by James Carson. 

Frank Herbert portrait credit: MOHAI, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, 2000.107.087.11.01, photo by Gilbert W. Arias.

Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free exclusive podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsely, Mary Beard and more. Watch, listen and read history wherever you are, whenever you want it. Available on all devices: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, Xbox, Chromecast, and iOs & Android.

We're offering a special discount to History Hit for our subscribers, get 50% off your first 3 months with code YOUTUBE: https://www.historyhit.com/subscription/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=YouTube2024

00:00 Intro and Plot
03:08 The Origins of Dune
06:00 Cold War in the Middle East 
10:00 Arabic Influences
11:28 Religious Belief Systems
14:15 Laurence of Arabia and the Arab World
17:37 Greek Influences
21:08 Imperialism and Feudalism
22:40 Technology

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Science Fiction

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Movies & Shows

Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free exclusive podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Mary Beard and more. Watch, listen and read history wherever you are, whenever you want it. Available on all devices: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, Xbox, Chromecast, and iOs & Android.

We're offering a special discount to History Hit for our subscribers, get 50% off your first 3 months with code YOUTUBE: https://www.historyhit.com/subscription/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=YouTube2024


History Hit

The History Behind Dune | Arab Nationalism, Magic Mushrooms and The Cold War

The History Behind Dune: Arab Nationalism, Magic Mushrooms & The Cold War

Dr. Ramani Durvasula defines narcissism as a collection of traits that center around an inflated sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and a deep lack of empathy for others.However, Dr. Ramani also emphasizes the complexity of narcissism. She highlights that narcissists can be very charming and charismatic at first . It's the shift, where the manipulative and controlling behaviors emerge, that can be confusing.

What is Narcisism?

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Grandiosity: An inflated sense of self-importance, believing they are superior</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Entitlement: A sense of deserving special treatment and privileges</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Lack of empathy: Inability to understand the feelings of others</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Need for admiration: Constant craving for praise & validation.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Hypersensitivity to criticism: Reacting poorly to any feedback or disagreement</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Charismatic but manipulative: Initially charming, but controlling</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Prone to gaslighting: Deliberately manipulating situations to make their target question their own reality</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Projecting blame: Shifting responsibility to others</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Un-accountable</li></ul>

Signs of a Narcisist

Grandiose Narcissism: They have big dreams and appear larger than life. Successful, but also tend to hold grudges and view others as obstacles to their success.Vulnerable Narcissism: They see themselves as victims and struggle with feelings of inadequacy. A grandiose narcissist can become vulnerable if they do not get their way.Malignant Narcissism: The most severe type, it involves manipulative and isolating behavior. They may show some remorse, but it is the stepping stone towards psychopathy.Communal Narcissism: They are fixated on being seen as kind and charitable.

Different Types of Narcissism

How many narcissists are there in society?<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The estimated percentage of observable narcissists is about 18%. Approximatively 1 in 6 people. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Narcissism exists on a spectrum and can be observed in varying degrees in all individuals.</li></ul>Some professions tend to attract more narcissists, such as management or business, while others, like politics and social activism, are dominated by narcissists.

Narcissism in Society

Many successful individuals are narcissists. From politicians to business leaders, the qualities that make them successful often include a lack of empathy & a strong sense of self-importance. While this may lead to great accomplishments, their intelligence and charm can also make them terrible partners:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Narcissists are often driven by their own self-interest, rather than the greater good.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">They may achieve great success, but it can come at a cost to those around them.</li></ul>As the saying goes, "You can appreciate a narcissist in charge of a company, just don't marry one!" 😜

Narcissism and Success

There is no numerical difference between men and women when it comes to being narcissists. But they are different in type.Men tend to be more grandiose, while women tend to be more vulnerable. They manifest differently, but they are equally damaging in a relationship.

Narcisism and Gender

No, narcissism is a psychological trait that cannot be created by technology. However, social media amplifies existing narcissism and turns a small-scale issue into a larger one. "Virtue signalling," for example, is a phenomenon fuelled mostly by communal narcissism.While most teenagers may appear narcissistic on social media, it is impossible to know for sure until they reach adulthood. The behavior of teenagers is not identical to that of narcissists.

Is Social Media Making Us Narcissists?

How to know you are one?Self aware narcissist are very rare. A true narcisist will have very little self awareness of the effect they have on other people. Most would see their narcisism as a super power. A commitment to a goal or an ideal.

Are you a narcisist?

Can you be happy being a relationship with a narcisist? Yes, but not from the relationship.

If you are trapped in a relationship with a narcisist the main practice is radical acceptance. You have to be aware of the trait of the other person and stop hoping you can change him or her.When the inevitable manipulations begin it's important to stop engaging. You can't productively argue with a narcisist. They will default to gaslighting:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Denial: The narcissist will deny things they clearly said or did, twisting the situation</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Rewriting history: Rewrite past events to fit their narrative, making you doubt your own memories.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Diminishing your feelings: Dismiss your emotions as "overreacting"</li></ul>

Dealing with a narcisist

Narcisism is a one the main negative psychological traits. It's impirtant to be aware of it. 

1 in 6 people are narcissists, so what is a narcissist and how can you spot one?Dr Ramani Durvasula is a clinical psychologist, Professor of Psychology at California State University, and the Founder and CEO of LUNA Education, Training & Consulting. She is also the author of books such as ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go: Surviving a Relationship with a Narcissist’, and ‘"Don't You Know Who I Am?": How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility’.In this conversation Dr. Ramani and Steven discuss topics such as, whether your partner is a narcissist, the 4 types of narcissist, why up to 50% of famous people are narcissists, and whether narcissists are better in bed.(00:00) Intro(02:08) Why Dedicating Your Life To Studying Narcissism(03:10) The Cost Of Narcissism(06:07) How To Spot A Narcissist(12:27) How To Differentiate An Asshole From A Narcissist(15:19) Can You Cure Narcissism?(16:39) What Gender Tends To Be More Narcissistic(18:24) The Types Of Narcissism(25:07) How Many People Are Narcissists?(27:21) Is Social Media Fuelling More Narcissists(32:09) Where Does Narcissism Come From Genetics Environment(36:06) Narcissism Lives In A Spectrum(37:08) Are Narcissists More Successful(40:12) The Empathic CEOs Are Rare(43:04) Does Money Make You More Narcissistic?(47:03) How Do You Know If You Are A Narcissist(50:19) What People Get Attracted To Narcissist?(53:41) How To Know If My Partner Is A Narcissist(55:32) The Three Rs: How To Know If You're In A Negative Relationship(59:28) Pathological Manipulation(01:00:56) What's Projection?(01:04:20) Can They Take Feedback(01:05:55) Gaslighting, What Is It?(01:10:49) How To Deal With Being Gaslit(01:13:10) Do Narcissists Engage In Domestic Behaviour(01:15:17) What Should I Do If My Boss Is A Narcissist(01:17:31) Can You Get Out From A Narcissistic Person(01:21:32) Can You Be Happy In A Relationship With A Narcissist(01:23:08) What Is The Weak Point Of A Narcissist(01:24:44) Why Don't They Like Authentic People(01:25:51) Famous Narcissists(01:31:55) You Can Come Back From Narcissistic Abuse(01:34:04) Hardest Day Of Your LifeYou can order Dr Ramani’s most recent book, ‘It's Not You: How to Identify and Heal from NARCISSISTIC People’, here: https://amzn.to/42YI79KFollow Dr RamaniTwitter - https://bit.ly/3wF91raInstagram - https://bit.ly/48A634KWatch the episodes on Youtube - https://g2ul0.app.link/3kxINCANKsbFollow me:https://beacons.ai/diaryofaceoSponsors: Eightsleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/uk/steven/Uber: https://p.uber.com/creditstermsLinkedin Ads: https://www.linkedin.com/doac24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

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Parenting

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Teamwork

A few years ago I was a broke, university dropout, living in a studio-flat in a rough area. At 18 I started a company which would eventually become "Social Chain" - an industry leading marketing company. At 26 the company was generating $600m a year in revenue. At 27 I resigned as CEO, and launched 'The Diary Of A CEO' podcast with the simple mission of un-filtering success and giving you the knowledge you need to create the life you want. Thank you for listening. My New Book: https://smarturl.it/D IG: https://www.instagram.com/steven LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenbartlett-123

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

The Narcissism Doctor: "1 In 6 People Are Narcissists!", "Are Narcissists Better In Bed?", "Can A Narcissist Change? - Dr. Ramani Durvasula

About Narcissism with Dr. Ramani Durvasula

Joseph Henrich argues that people from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich & Democratic (WEIRD) societies have distinct psychological characteristics compared to the rest of the world. He traces these to unique cultural features and historical developments that shaped WEIRD societies over time.The premise is that culture matters a lot. It affects us biologically. It can and does alter our brains, hormones, and anatomy, along with our perceptions, motivations, personalities, emotions, and many other aspects of our minds.

WEIRD Societies

The ability to read and write not only leads to cultural progress but also changes our biology and psychology. Literate societies have thicker corpus callosa and have difficulty recognizing faces. This is because reading (a skill acquired later in human history) requires using areas of the brain that oral communication does not. The spread of literacy can be traced back to the rise of Protestantism, which emphasized the importance of individuals engaging with divine words directly. Hence, reading became essential in Western societies, while oral communication ruled the rest of the world.

The Impact of Literacy on Individuals and Society

Try completing this sentence: I am ___.If you are WEIRD, you probably answered with words like “curious” or “passionate”, “a scientist,” “a surgeon” etc ...You were probably less inclined to respond with things like “Josh’s dad” or “Maya’s mom,” even though those are equally true.This focus on personal attributes over personal relationships & inherited social roles is a distinctive feature of WEIRD psychology, but one that sets them apart from the rest of the world. Because most people think of themselves in terms of their social context rather than focusing solely on individual traits.

Who Are You?

WEIRD people are the exception. Key areas of differences:<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Collectivism vs. Individualism: WEIRD societies emphasize individual goals & achievements, whereas the rest prioritize group identity: family, tribe.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">High vs. Low Trust in Strangers: WEIRD societies show higher levels of trust in strangers compared to the global average.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Formal Rules vs. Informal Norms: WEIRD societies often rely on laws to govern behavior. In contrast to traditions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Openness to Novelty vs. Traditionalism: WEIRD populations tend to be more open to new ideas over preserving traditions.</li></ol>

WEIRD People vs the World

It took hundreds of years for the West to develop its distinct culture. <ol><li class="ql-align-justify">The Rise of Monogamous Nuclear Families: The Catholic Church's promotion of independent families weakened kinship networks and fostered individualism.</li><li class="ql-align-justify"> Impersonal Markets and Urbanization: The growth of market economies and urban centers with diverse populations encouraged cooperation and exchange.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Rise of Voluntary Associations: Guilds, universities, and other self-governing groups created opportunities for people with shared interests to collaborate. </li></ol>

Historical Factors for WEIRD Societies

Weird people are psychologically peculiar. Highly individualistic, self-obsessed, control-oriented, nonconformist, and analytical. They focus on themselves - over their social roles.<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">They aim to be “themselves” across contexts and see inconsistencies in others as hypocrisy.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">They are less willing to conform to others when this conflicts with their own beliefs.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">They see themselves as unique beings, not as nodes in a social network.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">When reasoning, they tend to look for universal categories and rules with which to organize the world.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Through self-regulation, they can defer gratification </li></ol>

WEIRD Individuals

WEIRD people are racked by guilt as they fail to live up to their culturally inspired, self-imposed, standards. 🤔 In most non-WEIRD societies, shame—not guilt—dominates people’s lives. ➡️ People experience shame when they, their relatives, or even their friends fail to live up to the standards imposed on them by their communities. <ul><li class="ql-align-justify"> Non-WEIRD populations “lose face” when their daughter loves someone outside the social network. </li><li class="ql-align-justify"> WEIRD people might feel guilty for taking a nap instead of hitting the gym.</li></ul> 💡 Guilt is based on our own standards whereas shame stems from societal standards.

Shame vs Guilt

Innovation is driven by the recombination of ideas, insights, and technologies, along with a healthy dose of serendipity and unintended consequences. As a result, any institutions, norms, beliefs, or psychological inclinations that increase the flow of ideas among diverse minds or open up more opportunities for fortune to show us the way will energize innovation.It is a form of cumulative cultural evolution, which is fundamentally a social and cultural process that turns societies into collective brains.

WEIRD Innovation

WEIRD means Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic. An acronym to describe the characteristics of modern civilisations.

A New York Times Notable Book of 2020 A Bloomberg Best Non-Fiction Book of 2020 A Behavioral Scientist Notable Book of 2020 A Human Behavior & Evolution Society Must-Read Popular Evolution Book of 2020 A bold, epic account of how the co-evolution of psychology and culture created the peculiar Western mind that has profoundly shaped the modern world. Perhaps you are WEIRD: raised in a society that is Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic. If so, you’re rather psychologically peculiar. Unlike much of the world today, and most people who have ever lived, WEIRD people are highly individualistic, self-obsessed, control-oriented, nonconformist, and analytical. They focus on themselves—their attributes, accomplishments, and aspirations—over their relationships and social roles. How did WEIRD populations become so psychologically distinct? What role did these psychological differences play in the industrial revolution and the global expansion of Europe during the last few centuries? In The WEIRDest People in the World, Joseph Henrich draws on cutting-edge research in anthropology, psychology, economics, and evolutionary biology to explore these questions and more. He illuminates the origins and evolution of family structures, marriage, and religion, and the profound impact these cultural transformations had on human psychology. Mapping these shifts through ancient history and late antiquity, Henrich reveals that the most fundamental institutions of kinship and marriage changed dramatically under pressure from the Roman Catholic Church. It was these changes that gave rise to the WEIRD psychology that would coevolve with impersonal markets, occupational specialization, and free competition—laying the foundation for the modern world. Provocative and engaging in both its broad scope and its surprising details, The WEIRDest People in the World explores how culture, institutions, and psychology shape one another, and explains what this means for both our most personal sense of who we are as individuals and also the large-scale social, political, and economic forces that drive human history. Includes black-and-white illustrations.

Joseph Henrich

The WEIRDest People in the World

Most people's view of what democracy is is at the level of a 6th grade understanding. In this model, people have values and needs, and they rationally pick candidates that share their needs and values.However, tons of data show that this is a very naive perspective. Most voters have no ideological values, cannot really tell what they want, and often miss important facts.

6th Grade Democracy

People don't vote for what they want.People vote for who they are.

The best voters are the informed voters. Based on this insight, epistocracy is a form of government where political power is distributed based on knowledge.Jason Brennan proposes multiple ways in which this could be done. One way is for a voter to answer a series of questions about the desired outcome and questions about the topic at hand. The questions being picked by a random group of 500 citizens. This method could be used to pick policies or politicians.

Epistocracy - An Alternative to Democracy

What is all we know about democracy is wrong?

Jason Brennan is an American philosopher and business professo at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. Brennan writes about democratic theory, the ethics of voting, competence and power, freedom, and the moral foundations of commercial society. (Wikipedia.) He speaks in this episode about the faults and flaws of democracy, and why people are often not as good as voting as they think they are. Buy "Against Democracy" (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3HBA5df Buy "Democracy: A Guided Tour": https://amzn.to/3udeuF2

politics

Politics

For the curious. A philosophy podcast that sometimes flirts with other disciplines, Within Reason has featured guests including Richard Dawkins, Douglas Murray, William Lane Craig, Peter Singer, Konstantin Kisin, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Within Reason

#53 — Jason Brennan | The Case Against Democracy

The Case Against Democracy (with Jason Brennan)

Matthew Dicks developed a storytelling formula:<ul><li>The 5-Second Rule: You have to hook your audience in the first 5 seconds of your story, by starting in the middle of the action, introducing a conflict, or creating curiosity</li><li>The Transformation:The change that you or someone else undergoes as a result of the story</li><li>The Stakes: Reasons why your audience should care </li><li>The Moments: Scenes, actions & dialogues that make up the story. Should be vivid, detailed & should serve a purpose </li><li class="ql-align-justify">The Buttons: The words you use to end your story. They should be memorable, surprising, or emotional</li></ul>

Matthew Dicks's Story worthy Formula

1. Crystal Ball - Predict the negative consequences if the hero fails to act2. Hourglass - Slow down time and focus on a potential disaster3. The Question - Pose an intriguing question that requires resolution4. Breadcrumbs - Drop hints throughout the story to create a reveal at the end5. Elephant - Introduce a significant element at the beginning to create suspense

Ways To Add Stakes In A Story

In public you can not tell the story of someone else. That would be fiction. If you talk in front of an audience, it has to be authentic. You have to be vulnerable by sharing a personal story with stakes, surprises etc....

You can't tell someone else's story

Story is a superpower, and there are hints for all of us to tell better ones. Matt is a teacher and author of Storyworthy.

Matthew Dicks is a best-selling author, columnist, blogger, podcaster, playwright, and teacher. He wrote my all-time favorite book on storytelling, Storyworthy. He is an elementary school teacher by day and by night teaches storytelling and public speaking to individuals, corporations, universities, religious institutions, and school districts around the world. He’s taught storytelling at Yale, MIT, Harvard, and Purdue, along with Amazon, Salesforce, Slack, Lego, and others. In this conversation, Matthew shares insights and techniques for effective storytelling, including:• The benefits of good storytelling in business• The five-second moment and why it’s so important• Why you should start every story at the end• How to build a vault of stories that can be deployed in business situations• Tips on how to be funnier• His life-changing “Homework for Life” practice• Advice for dealing with nervousness in public speaking• The power of saying yes — Brought to you by ⁠OneSchema⁠—Import CSV data 10x faster | ⁠Maui Nui Venison⁠—The healthiest red meat on the planet delivered directly to your door | ⁠Vanta⁠—Automate compliance. Simplify security. — Find the transcript and references at: https://www.lennyspodcast.com/how-to-tell-better-stories-matthew-dicks-storyworthy/ — Where to find Matthew Dicks: • Website: https://matthewdicks.com/ • X: https://twitter.com/MatthewDicks • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-dicks-84a95711/ • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4K0fcEJkzJLso5h6CN00LQ • Storyworthy: https://www.storyworthymd.com/ — Where to find Lenny: • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/ — In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Matthew’s background (04:27) The five-second moment  (10:29) Knowing the ending  (14:28) The importance of including a transformation  (15:59) The dinner test (18:19) You can’t tell someone else’s story (20:24) Vacation stories (23:14) Adding stakes to the story  (25:12) The power of surprise (29:20) The benefits of storytelling in business  (32:20) An example of adding stakes (34:02) Storytelling in the workplace  (44:29) Using personal inventory to make stories relatable  (48:46) Four ways to keep people listening (50:52) Using humor in business storytelling  (53:09) Advice for adding humor (58:43) An example of how storytelling helped a biotech company sell product (1:02:06) Advice for people who don’t want to become storytellers (1:06:35) The power of “Homework for Life”  (01:15:26) Practical tips for starting Homework for Life  (01:19:28) Dealing with nervousness in public speaking  (01:24:42) Preparing for a talk or presentation  (01:25:24) The power of saying yes  (01:30:55) Lightning round — Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com. — Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.

writing

Reading & Writing

entertainment

Entertainment

Interviews with world-class product leaders and growth experts to uncover concrete, actionable, and tactical advice to help you build, launch, and grow your own product. www.lennysnewsletter.com

Love is the truth beyond yourself

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Small Teaching

Jeff Bezos on his management style and philosophy

New Religions with Antonio Garcia Martinez

Vladimir Oane