Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg
What things in life *shouldn't* we optimize? (with Christie Aschwanden)
Jan 25, 2023
Christie Aschwanden, a science journalist and author of "Good to Go," joins the conversation to explore why there's value in not optimizing every aspect of life. She discusses the pitfalls of relentless self-improvement, emphasizing the importance of balance between productivity and downtime. Christie highlights how our physiological responses can inform personal growth and critiques the reliance on data-driven metrics for well-being. The slow and steady nature of scientific progress is also examined, calling for more intellectual humility in interpreting research.
55:56
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Quick takeaways
- Balancing exploration and exploitation is crucial in decision-making, influenced by factors like career stage and potential rewards.
- Intellectual humility in science involves accepting the presence of uncertainties and being open to new evidence.
Deep dives
Exploration vs. Exploitation in Decision Making
Exploration refers to learning and trying new things, while exploitation is about executing known strategies. Balancing the two involves factors like career stage, risk environment, and potential upside. Early on in a career, more exploration is beneficial for discovering options. In safe environments, exploration is less costly due to minimal risk. Additionally, the potential for significant benefits in an area can favor more exploratory behavior.
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