What's Up Docs? Is joy always good for us?
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Dec 30, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, Professor Sophie Scott, a renowned cognitive neuroscientist and stand-up comedian, dives into the complexities of joy. She explores how joy differs from happiness and offers insight into different kinds, like social laughter and prideful moments. The discussion highlights joy's potential risks and its relationship with emotional lows. They also tackle joy's fleeting nature, the impact of cultural celebrations, and how to cultivate joy in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of social connections.
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Labour Call Changes Plans Instantly
- Xand cut short the conversation when his wife went into labour at 41+ weeks.
- He hurried home hoping to reach the birth, illustrating sudden joyful urgency in life events.
Joy Is Not One Simple Emotion
- Sophie Scott argues joy isn't a single, standalone emotion like fear or disgust.
- Joy appears as several related states often tied to social connection, pride, or being moved by beauty.
Joy Is Fleeting But Physically Expressive
- Interviews show joy feels fleeting yet profound and often includes vulnerability or sadness.
- Joy commonly involves an urge to move, laugh, jump, or otherwise express it physically.