Hidden Brain Radical Kindness
Aug 4, 2025
In this discussion, psychologist Abigail Marsh, a Georgetown University expert on altruism, delves into why some individuals risk their lives to help strangers. She highlights fascinating stories of selfless acts, such as a stranger saving a driver in distress and kidney donors giving without expectation. Marsh explores the innate human drive for kindness, revealing how extraordinary altruism can emerge even in crises. Listeners are encouraged to foster their own altruistic tendencies, bridging fear and courage into meaningful actions.
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Life-Saving Stranger on Freeway
- Abigail Marsh's life was saved when a stranger risked his life multiple times to move her disabled car to safety on a busy freeway.
- This event sparked her lifelong research into extraordinary altruism and selflessness.
Altruists' Amygdala and Empathy
- Extraordinary altruists have larger amygdalas and heightened sensitivity to others' fear, the opposite of psychopathic individuals.
- Their brains are wired to recognize distress quickly and deeply, underpinning their selfless behavior.
Altruists' Wide Circle of Caring
- Extraordinary altruists show almost no social discounting, valuing strangers' welfare nearly as much as close relations.
- Their circle of caring extends far beyond usual social boundaries, reflecting their wide empathy.
