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The Tim Ferriss Show

#644: Jonathan Haidt — The Coddling of the American Mind, How to Become Intellectually Antifragile, and How to Lose Anger by Studying Morality

Dec 21, 2022
In this engaging conversation, Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist from NYU, dives into the nuances of morality and the influence of social media on teen mental health. He shares personal anecdotes illustrating his transformative experiences studying cultural morality in India. Haidt critiques ideologies in academia and promotes the idea of intellectual anti-fragility. The discussion also explores the importance of resilience for Generation Z and the interplay of happiness and religious engagement, providing valuable insights for navigating today's complex social landscape.
02:05:57

Episode guests

Jonathan Haidt

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The shift in social media platforms from connecting people to rewarding viral and explosive content has affected discourse and engagement, leading to an erosion of shared understanding and truth.
  • Creating a counterbalance within academia by promoting open dialogue, critical thinking, and intellectual diversity can help challenge echo chambers and restore the pursuit of knowledge as a primary focus.

Deep dives

The Influence of Social Media on the Decline of Traditional Institutions

The rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have changed the nature of communication and connection, leading to a shift in the dynamics of democratic and epistemic institutions. These platforms transformed from simply connecting people to becoming performance-driven, where viral and explosive content is rewarded with fame and prestige. This shift in nature has had a profound impact on discourse and the way people engage with each other. Additionally, features like threaded comments have fueled aggression and polarization, leading to an erosion of shared understanding and truth. This decline of traditional institutions has affected academia, journalism, and other epistemic disciplines alongside democratic processes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial in addressing the issue and finding ways to redirect the current trajectory.

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