Super Data Science: ML & AI Podcast with Jon Krohn
836: How to Become Happier, with Dr. Nat Ware
Nov 15, 2024
Dr. Nat Ware, an economist and social-impact innovator, challenges conventional notions of happiness. He discusses how our expectations can lead to dissatisfaction, highlighting the 'hedonic treadmill' where constant pursuit of joy often backfires. Instead, he encourages building meaningful relationships and embracing simple pleasures. Additionally, he shares insights on the interplay between altruism and personal fulfillment through volunteering, and introduces Forte, a novel funding model designed to enhance educational opportunities for underserved communities.
31:22
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Quick takeaways
- Dr. Nat Ware emphasizes that our happiness is largely influenced by expectation gaps, shaped by social comparison and past experiences.
- Fostering genuine connections and meaningful experiences, rather than obsessively chasing happiness, is essential for achieving lasting fulfillment.
Deep dives
Understanding Expectation Gaps and Happiness
Happiness is influenced by the gap between our expectations and reality. Dr. Nat Ware highlights three types of expectation gaps: interpersonal, historical, and imaginative. Interpersonal gaps occur when we compare ourselves with others; for example, someone struggling financially in a high-cost city may feel poor compared to wealthier peers, while the same income could feel affluent in a different context. Historical gaps are shaped by past experiences; an individual accustomed to a certain standard of living may feel discontent if their current situation does not meet those expectations, while imaginative gaps arise from advertisements and social media that elevate our expectations beyond realistic experiences.
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