David Pinsof, a research scientist at UCLA and co-creator of Cards Against Humanity, dives into the murky waters of human motivation and status. He reveals how our desires are often dressed in flattering narratives that don’t quite hold up. The conversation explores why we chase status, the complexities of self-awareness, and how societal perceptions skew our understanding of happiness. Pinsof also highlights the paradox of seeking meaning over fleeting joys and the significant impact of mundane connections in our lives.
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insights INSIGHT
Bullshit
We don't truly understand our motivations, often creating flattering but false narratives.
We're equally clueless about others' motivations, making most conversations "bullshit".
insights INSIGHT
Bullshit vs. Lying
Lying is intentionally misrepresenting truth, while bullshitting is indifferent to it.
Bullshitting serves social goals, accidentally aligning with truth sometimes.
insights INSIGHT
Status Paradox
Status games are fragile; acknowledging them destroys their power.
Wanting status signals low status, so we must conceal our pursuit of it.
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The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment
Robert Wright
In this book, Robert Wright argues that Buddhism offers a secular, Westernized approach to mindfulness meditation that can help individuals and society by reducing suffering and increasing empathy. He draws on evolutionary biology, psychology, and neuroscience to support Buddhist teachings, such as the concept of 'no-self' and the nature of human suffering. The book is a personal journey that began with Wright's work on evolutionary psychology and deepened through his practice of meditation and conversations with skilled meditators. It aims to show how Buddhist principles can be applied in a secular age to improve individual and societal well-being.
Capital in the Twenty-First Century
Thomas Piketty
In this book, Thomas Piketty examines the historical dynamics of wealth and income inequality from the 18th century to the present. He argues that when the rate of return on capital exceeds the rate of economic growth, it leads to a concentration of wealth and significant social and economic instability. Piketty's analysis is based on extensive historical and comparative data from over twenty countries, challenging the notion that free market capitalism naturally reduces inequality. He proposes a global system of progressive wealth taxes to mitigate these inequalities and protect democratic values. The book is a groundbreaking work that reorients our understanding of economic history and the inherent contradictions of capitalism[1][4][5].
The Status Game
Will Storr
David Pinsof is a research scientist at UCLA, co-creator of Cards Against Humanity and an author.
Humans want things. Then we tell ourselves stories about why we want those things. And these reasons are often very flattering, but almost exclusively bullshit. We do not understand our motivations, and this is part of our brain's design. So, given this limit on introspection, is it possible to ever truly understand ourselves?
Expect to learn the difference between bullshitting and lying, why we can’t we admit that we want status, why human desires are so fickle and silly, how the modern world has hijacked our status games, why we find certain things interesting, why you actually don't want to be happy no matter how much you claim that you do and much more...
Modern Wisdom 
