Modern Wisdom #376 - Beau Lotto - The Neuroscience Of Awe, Distraction and Anxiety
Sep 25, 2021
Beau Lotto, a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of London and founder of the Lab Of Misfits, brings his unconventional take on perception to the discussion. He reveals how awe enhances our connection to the world, why unanswered questions ramp up anxiety, and how distractions diverge our focus. Lotto also delves into the effects of altruism on social perceptions, highlighting how genuine giving can sometimes backfire. He advocates for embracing uncertainty as a pathway to personal growth and self-awareness in a noisy, modern environment.
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Nightclub Neuroscience
- Beau Lotto turned his lab into a nightclub, measuring every aspect of the experience.
- Actors staged panics to observe participant responses, and even the dancing was analyzed.
Donation and Attraction
- Men donate more publicly than privately, while women's donations remain consistent.
- Public donations can decrease perceived attractiveness in men due to perceived inauthenticity.
The Neuroscience of Awe
- Awe increases prosocial behavior, risk tolerance, and diminishes ego, fostering connection.
- It requires a shift in understanding of oneself and the world, similar to psychedelic experiences.