
The Next Big Idea LOOK AGAIN: How to See Your Life With Fresh Eyes
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Mar 21, 2024 Discover how habituation affects our perception of life and learn about ways to disrupt familiar patterns and spark new joy. Neuroscientist Tali Sharot discusses the power of noticing and habituation, highlighting the balance between routine and creativity for a fuller life. Explore experiments in living and breaking habituation to enhance experiences and promote accountability in societal injustices.
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Habituation Dulls Life's Spark
- Habituation makes pleasant experiences feel less intense over time, reducing everyday joy and appreciation.
- Tali Sharot links this biological process to both small pleasures and large social patterns like injustice.
Dishonesty Escalates With Repetition
- Sharot recounts a lab study where participants escalated lies for personal gain over repeated opportunities.
- Brain scans showed decreasing amygdala activity as dishonesty increased, reflecting emotional habituation.
Retinal Fatigue Mirrors Life
- Visual fixation experiments show neurons stop responding to constant input, making colors fade to gray.
- Sharot uses this retinal fatigue as a metaphor for how people stop noticing stable positives and negatives.

