Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford Do Nothing, Then Do Less
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Mar 15, 2024 
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab, sheds light on the surprising benefits of doing less. She and Tim Harford explore 'masterly inactivity,' exemplified by Chuck Yeager’s critical moment in the cockpit. By analyzing various real-world scenarios—from sports to healthcare—they reveal how subtraction enhances well-being. The conversation also emphasizes the power of saying no to create space for what truly matters, promoting happiness through simplicity.
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Yeager's X-1A Incident
- Chuck Yeager, a renowned test pilot, faced a near-fatal plane crash in the X-1A.
- Doing nothing and letting the plane stabilize itself at 25,000 feet saved his life.
Bias for Action
- We tend to favor action, even when inaction is better.
- Chuck Yeager's story highlights the importance of pausing and letting go of control.
Goalkeeper Inaction
- Soccer goalkeepers often jump left or right during penalty kicks, despite a higher chance of saving a center shot by staying still.
- This illustrates our bias toward action even when detrimental.
