The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Why Nostalgia Ain't So Rosy

Aug 16, 2021

Rob Lowe, the iconic actor known for his unforgettable roles in 80s films, shares his love for the decade while highlighting the importance of not getting lost in nostalgia. He discusses how our memories can mislead us, portraying the past in a selective, rosy light. This tendency can negatively impact our present happiness and decision-making. Lowe emphasizes balancing cherished memories with a focus on the present, capturing both the joy and potential pitfalls of nostalgia.

34:45

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Episode guests

Rob Lowe

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Nostalgia Unpacked: The 1980s and Its Echoes

11min

The Double-Edged Sword of Nostalgia

7min

The Illusion of Memory

9min

The Dark Side of Nostalgia: Societal Costs and Connections

5min

Navigating Nostalgia

8min

Living in the Present: The Balance of Nostalgia and Happiness

5min

Actor Rob Lowe LOVES the 1980s. And who can blame him? He was one of the most famous men on the planet. But, as he tells Dr Laurie Santos, he's careful not to wallow in nostalgia for the music, fashions and events of his youth too much - and happiness science backs him up on this.

Research suggests that our memories of the past can be very selective and highly unreliable - causing us to misremember events and cast them in a rosy glow. Sadly, this also causes us to make very bad decisions about what will make us happy in the future.

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