Shankar Vedantam, the insightful host of the 'Hidden Brain' podcast, examines the unconscious forces shaping our decisions and behaviors. He delves into how our minds work behind the scenes, often influencing our choices more than we realize. Discussing the journey from engineering to empathy, he highlights the ties between psychological research and ancient wisdom. Vedantam emphasizes the importance of self-forgiveness and curiosity, revealing how these elements can transform our understanding of ourselves and foster a deeper connection to our shared humanity.
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insights INSIGHT
The Hidden Brain
Much of our mental processes are hidden from our conscious awareness, influencing our decisions and judgments.
This "hidden brain" effect necessitates approaching our conclusions with greater humility.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Snap Judgments and Bias
We form quick, subconscious judgments about others based on superficial traits like age or appearance.
These snap judgments, driven by unconscious biases, often contradict our belief in our objective perceptions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Failed Resolutions
Many New Year's resolutions fail because we overestimate willpower and conscious intention.
We don't account for subconscious factors influencing our actions.
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Shankar Vedantam's "Useful Delusions" explores the power and paradox of self-deception in human behavior. The book examines how our brains often construct narratives that are not entirely accurate, yet serve important psychological functions. Vedantam delves into the ways in which these self-deceptions can both benefit and hinder us, influencing our decisions, relationships, and overall well-being. He uses scientific research and real-world examples to illustrate the complexities of self-perception and the role of self-deception in navigating the world. The book ultimately encourages a more nuanced understanding of the human mind and its capacity for both self-deception and self-awareness.
The hidden brain
How Our Unconscious Minds Elect Presidents, Control Markets, Wage Wars, and Save Our Lives
Shankar Vedantam
The Hidden Brain by Shankar Vedantam delves into the world of unconscious thinking, revealing how our unconscious mind affects our decisions, behavior, and perceptions. The book explores various aspects of unconscious thinking, including how it influences whom we fall in love with, how we make judicial decisions, and how it can be manipulated to control markets and wage wars. Vedantam uses compelling narratives and cutting-edge science to uncover the secrets of our unconscious minds and their decisive impact on our lives and society.
We all like to believe that we live our lives rationally, deliberately, consciously. But what if our conscious decision making is just the tip of the iceberg?
“ I feel like I have a full picture of what's happening inside my own mind,” says Shankar Vedantam. But it turns out “there is a large portion of our mind that's working outside of our conscious awareness.”
Shankar founded Hidden Brain Media in order to teach people what science has uncovered about our brains. In this episode, he discusses why we’re not as autonomous as we think we are, and the profound implications for the ways we act, think, and live.
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