10% Happier with Dan Harris The Case for Optimism | Dr. Jonathan Salk
Aug 17, 2020
Dr. Jonathan Salk, an adult and child psychiatrist at UCLA and son of the polio vaccine inventor, discusses the potential for a cultural shift in response to the current crises. He explores how the pandemic revealed societal vulnerabilities such as inequities and individualism. Salk emphasizes the need for cooperation and the importance of long-term thinking for societal evolution. With insights inspired by his father's legacy, he advocates for a hopeful future grounded in emotional connections and a community-oriented approach.
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Crisis as Catalyst
- The COVID-19 crisis has revealed societal weaknesses like inequality and reckless individualism.
- This exposure could potentially lead to a fundamental shift in humankind.
Challenges of Interdependence
- Despite the trope of togetherness, society struggles with issues like mask disagreements and unequal impact of the pandemic.
- Compared to the past, there's less public spirit and more mistrust, hindering collaborative efforts like vaccine testing and distribution.
Polio Vaccine Era
- Dr. Salk recalls a different era (1940-50s) with greater public trust in science, technology, and government.
- The March of Dimes exemplifies the collaborative spirit, where everyone contributed to funding vaccine research.
