Paul uses the analogy of learning how to fly a plane. He says just like flight simulators actively seek out trouble, so too do we seek out negative imaginary experiences and the emotions that go with them. The fact that our minds get so much pleasure from fictional worlds like these also poses a bit of a cognitive puzzle. We'll meet a philosopher and happiness lab regular who's not only figured it out, but can share some tips on how applying this knowledge can give us a bigger happiness hit.
There is nothing hotter than Puckerbutt Farm’s Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce... and author Leigh Cowart gargles it for FUN!!! Why do we sometimes get a happiness high from painful and scary things? And what if we want to experience the fun of discomfort and danger... but without the risk of coming to real harm?
With the help of Leigh, psychology professor Paul Bloom and the Yale philosopher Tamar Gendler, Dr Laurie Santos finds out how we can fool ourselves into reaping all the benefits of danger without actually being in peril.
For further reading:
Leigh Cowart - Hurts So Good: The Science and Culture of Pain on Purpose.
Paul Bloom - The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.