Modern Wisdom #038 - Robin Hanson - The Hidden Motives in Everyday Life
Nov 12, 2018
Robin Hanson, an associate professor of economics at George Mason University and author of 'The Elephant in the Brain,' reveals the hidden motives behind our daily actions. He delves into the primal instincts that shape our behavior, from gossip and laughter to charity and social norms. The discussion uncovers how our seemingly autonomous choices are influenced by unconscious drives and competition. Hanson's insights challenge listeners to examine the complexities of human interactions and the cultural factors at play in modern society.
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Evolution of Human Cooperation
- Humans evolved to cooperate in large, complex social groups unlike other primates.
- Social norms and language help enforce cooperation by creating rules and coordinated responses to rule-breaking.
The Social Function of Gossip
- Gossip plays a crucial social role in forming coalitions and enforcing norms.
- People downplay gossip but it helps coordinate social approval and disapproval.
Rule Enforcement Cooperation
- People often break rules by exploiting others' weak motivation to enforce them.
- Rule breakers and enforcers mutually cooperate to subvert rules with plausible excuses, like drinking from a paper bag to hide alcohol.
