Modern Wisdom #069 - George MacGill - Mental Models 101 - How To Make Better Decisions
George MacGill, an expert on mental models, discusses how these frameworks can enhance decision-making in everyday life. He likens mental models to apps for our minds, boosting our critical thinking skills. The conversation dives into navigating complex choices, learning from past mistakes, and the importance of contrasting experiences. They explore modern needs versus fulfillment, highlight insights from notable thinkers, and emphasize the significance of long-term satisfaction as opposed to short-term desires. Get ready to upgrade your mind!
01:17:45
Inversion for Happiness
- Use inversion to simplify complex questions like achieving happiness.
- Instead of seeking excellence, focus on avoiding stupidity, like disrupting sleep and nutrition.
Inversion for Life Planning
- George MacGill used inversion when contemplating his future in his late 20s.
- Instead of focusing on positive goals, he listed mistakes to avoid, like toxic relationships and comfort.
Contrast and the Boiling Frog
- The "frog in boiling water" anecdote illustrates the power of contrast.
- People often tolerate negative situations gradually worsening, like a toxic relationship.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Navigating Decisions with Mental Models
02:04 • 8min
The Evolution of Needs: From Survival to Self-Actualization
09:37 • 5min
Lessons from War and Wisdom
14:15 • 5min
Unpacking Decision-Making: Mental Models & Systems
19:30 • 23min
Embracing High Agency
43:00 • 9min
Mental Models and Decision-Making Insights
52:29 • 23min
Hardwiring Happiness
The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence
Rick Hanson
In 'Hardwiring Happiness,' Dr. Rick Hanson explains how the brain's ancient survival mechanism makes it more adept at learning from negative experiences than positive ones.
He introduces a simple method using everyday experiences to build new neural structures filled with happiness, love, confidence, and peace.
Dr. Hanson's four-step HEAL method (Have, Enrich, Absorb, Link) helps readers to counterbalance the brain's negativity bias, making contentment and resilience the new normal.
This approach involves focusing on positive experiences, absorbing their good feelings, and linking them to other positive experiences to override negative ones, thereby transforming the brain into a refuge of calm and happiness.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl
The book is divided into two parts.
The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945.
He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners.
The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure.
Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering).
The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.
Resilience
The Science of Mastering Life's Greatest Challenges
Steven Southwick
Jonathan M. DePierro
Dennis S. Charney
This book, written by three experts in trauma and resilience, answers key questions about adapting to life's most challenging situations, building personal resilience, and the science behind resilience.
It combines cutting-edge scientific research with personal experiences of individuals who have survived traumatic events, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
The authors describe ten key resilience factors such as facing fear, optimism, and relying on role models, providing practical tips and inspiring stories to help readers adapt and grow from stressful life events.
The Forgotten Highlander
Nick Mcardle
Alistair Urquhart
This book tells the incredible story of Alistair Urquhart, a soldier in the Gordon Highlanders who was captured by the Japanese in Singapore.
Urquhart survived 750 days in the jungle, including time working on the notorious Burma-Siam Railway.
The book details his harrowing experiences and his journey to survival and eventual return home.
Zero to One
Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
Peter Thiel
In 'Zero to One,' Peter Thiel argues that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new, going from 'zero to one,' rather than incrementally improving existing ideas.
He emphasizes the importance of vertical progress through technology and the benefits of monopoly in driving innovation.
Thiel also discusses the need for long-term planning, the importance of finding the right co-founders, and the power law in startup success.
The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically and aim big to build the future.
1984
None
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
Deep Work
Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Cal Newport
In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill.
These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'.
Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones.
The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results.
Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation.
The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.
The Great Mental Models, Volume 1
General Thinking Concepts
Shane Parrish
The Great Mental Models: General Thinking Concepts is the first book in The Great Mental Models series.
It details nine fundamental thinking concepts that form the bedrock of clear reasoning and effective decision-making.
Drawing on examples from history, business, art, and science, this book teaches how to avoid blind spots, find non-obvious solutions, anticipate and achieve desired outcomes, and play to your strengths while avoiding your weaknesses.
The book covers mental models such as first principles thinking, Hanlon’s razor, inversion, and probabilistic thinking, among others, to help readers better understand the world, solve problems, and gain an advantage.
On the Origin of Species
Charles Darwin
Published on November 24, 1859, 'On the Origin of Species' by Charles Darwin is a seminal work in scientific literature.
The book presents a comprehensive theory of evolution, arguing that species evolve over generations through the process of natural selection.
Darwin supported his theory with evidence collected during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, as well as from subsequent research, correspondence, and experimentation.
The book addresses the struggle for existence, the variability of species, and the principle of divergence, explaining how natural selection leads to the adaptation and diversification of life on Earth.
It has been a cornerstone of evolutionary biology and has had significant impacts on both scientific and public discourse.
Influence
The Psychology of Persuasion
Robert Cialdini
In this highly acclaimed book, Dr. Robert B. Cialdini explains the psychology behind why people say yes and how to apply these insights ethically.
The book outlines six universal principles of influence: Reciprocation, Commitment and Consistency, Social Proof, Liking, Authority, and Scarcity.
The new and expanded edition includes a seventh principle, Unity, along with new research, insights, and examples.
Cialdini uses memorable stories and relatable examples to make the subject accessible and easy to understand, helping readers become more skilled persuaders and defend themselves against unethical influence attempts.
I'm joined by long time friend of the show and all round interesting individual George MacGill to break down how we can make better decisions in all areas of our lives by using Mental Models.
If you imagine that your mind is an operating system, Mental Models are the apps you install into it which improve your ability to effectively make decisions. Today we are upgrading our minds by thinking about thinking, as we delve into some of mine & George's favourite mental models along with a mass of our best examples and resources.
Huge thank you to Social Chain for letting me record in their beautiful studio and Video Guy Ollie from SC HQ for filming everything.
Extra Stuff:
Follow George on Twitter - https://twitter.com/george__mack
Farnam Street Blog - https://fs.blog/
Farnam Street's 109 Mental Models - https://fs.blog/mental-models/
The Great Mental Models Book by Shane Parrish - https://amzn.to/2VijWDE
Shane Parrish on Art Of Manliness - https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/mental-models-decision-making/
The Psychology Of Human Misjudgement by Charlie Munger (full speech) - https://youtu.be/pqzcCfUglws
Why Not To Start A Startup by Paul Graham - http://www.paulgraham.com/notnot.html
Check out everything I recommend from books to products and help support the podcast at no extra cost to you by shopping through this link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/modernwisdom
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