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The Political Orphanage

The Economics of Midlife Crises

Jun 12, 2024
Guest Jonathan Rauch discusses the reality, economics, and neurology of midlife crises. Topics include labor and policy implications, challenging stereotypes, distinguishing depression from dissatisfaction, navigating midlife malaise, redefining aging, and the evolutionary role of wisdom in midlife transitions.
01:18:03

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Midlife crises involve societal impacts beyond stereotypes like status seeking.
  • Neurological changes in midlife shift focus towards relationships and cooperative goals.

Deep dives

Understanding Midlife Transitions

Midlife crises, often misunderstood, are not solely about fast cars and affairs but involve significant societal implications. Economists' insights, psychology, and chimp studies revealed a shift from status seeking to deeper, more pro-social goals. This transition, marked by life satisfaction shifts, suggests potential labor and policy impacts, like the concept of midlife 'gap years'.

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