TED Talks Daily You don't actually know what your future self wants | TED Business
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Oct 4, 2023 
Shankar Vendantam, a journalist and host of Hidden Brain, dives into the concept of the 'illusion of continuity.' He shares captivating stories that reveal how we often wrongly assume our future selves will mirror our current perspectives. Vendantam challenges listeners to embrace the fluid nature of identity, especially after life changes like the pandemic. He emphasizes the power of curiosity and courage in shaping who we will become, and explores the pitfalls of affective forecasting in predicting our emotional futures.
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Childhood Soccer Fanaticism
- Shankar Vedantam fractured his foot as a child but hid it to see a soccer movie.
- Years later, he's no longer a soccer fan, demonstrating how preferences change.
Unpredictable Career Path
- As a young engineer, Vedantam couldn't have envisioned his future as a podcast host.
- This highlights how unpredictable career paths can be.
Illusion of Continuity
- People easily recognize past personal changes, but assume future stability.
- This "illusion of continuity" has significant life consequences.