Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen
Why We Overthink (Amanda Montell)
Aug 15, 2024
Amanda Montell, a linguistics major and author of The Age of Magical Overthinking, discusses how consumerism complicates our problem-solving. She shares personal anecdotes about adding distractions instead of simplifying issues, like opting for more vacations instead of reassessing relationships. The conversation also touches on cult behavior, revealing how everyday dynamics mimic cult-like influences in relationships and society. Montell emphasizes simplicity, collaboration over competition among women, and the impact of societal expectations on mental well-being.
47:10
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Quick takeaways
- Individuals often complicate problem-solving by adding variables instead of recognizing the power of simplifying or removing elements from their lives.
- Cultish behavior exists in various forms across society, challenging the definition of community versus harmful influence and inviting deeper self-reflection on affiliations.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Problem-Solving
When confronted with problems in relationships, individuals often resort to adding variables instead of simplifying situations. For instance, one might think that going on vacation or acquiring a pet could resolve underlying issues, rather than reevaluating or eliminating something from their life. Amanda Montel highlights a study where participants preferred to complicate a puzzle by adding pieces instead of solving it more simply by removing one. This tendency to add rather than subtract illustrates a common inclination to take a convoluted approach to problem-solving, hindering effective resolution.
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