The Sam Ovens Podcast cover image

The Sam Ovens Podcast

52. My Strange Behavior Explained

Dec 18, 2018
Discover the intriguing reasons behind seemingly contradictory behaviors, like promoting less screen time while using social media. Explore how incentives shape our actions, from economic motivations to societal values. Dive into the difference between social media fame and genuine business success, emphasizing value creation over follower counts. Learn how to navigate social media distractions to stay focused on your core goals and improve product quality. This engaging discussion reveals the complexities of human behavior and decision-making.
30:47

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Human behavior is often influenced by underlying goals and incentives, which can make actions appear contradictory or hypocritical at first glance.
  • Aligning decisions with a defined Polaris Star helps individuals prioritize genuine value over superficial popularity, enhancing personal and professional effectiveness.

Deep dives

Understanding Human Behavior through Incentives

Human behavior is often driven by the goals individuals are optimizing for, which are frequently related to incentives. For instance, the pursuit of money motivates people to engage in work and education, demonstrating how economic incentives influence decision-making. In extreme cases, such as specific laws in China, people may act in a way that seems morally questionable due to financial motivations, like hitting a pedestrian and checking for death to avoid lifelong medical costs. Recognizing that incentives dictate behavior can help clarify actions that may initially seem contradictory or hypocritical.

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