Something You Should Know
Why We’re Wired to Imitate Others & How to Have a Great Conversation
Feb 27, 2025
This conversation features R. Alexander Bentley, an anthropology professor and co-author of "I'll Have What She's Having," alongside Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School expert in conversational dynamics. They explore the fascinating concept of human imitation, revealing how much of our behavior, from driving to dining, stems from copying others. They'll also discuss the vital skills necessary for effective communication, highlighting how mastering the art of conversation can enhance personal and professional relationships.
50:52
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Quick takeaways
- Cooking certain vegetables can enhance their nutritional value, contradicting the belief that raw vegetables are always healthier.
- Human behavior is largely shaped by imitation, highlighting the importance of social cues in learning and cultural transmission.
Deep dives
Cooking Vegetables Can Enhance Health Benefits
Some vegetables actually become healthier when cooked, countering the common belief that raw is always better. For instance, boiling carrots increases their cancer-fighting carotenoids by 14%, while cooking mushrooms enhances their potassium, niacin, zinc, and magnesium content significantly. Spinach also offers more absorbable calcium and iron after cooking, demonstrating that proper preparation can maximize nutritional intake. Other examples include asparagus, which sees a 16% rise in key nutrients when cooked, and tomatoes, whose cancer-fighting lycopene levels increase with heat, highlighting the importance of cooking in dietary habits.
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