The Vastness of the Universe and Our Smallness

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When we look at the stars, we are only seeing a minuscule fraction of the stars in the universe, which makes us realize how small we really are. This knowledge or feeling of awe is what truly matters, rather than the specific facts or numbers. It's important to understand this while gazing at the stars because it helps us grasp our insignificance.

How much do we remember of what we learn in school or from conversation? Psychologist Adam Mastroianni says: from little to nothing much. What do our brains retain? Mastroianni argues that often it's a mix of emotions, meanings, and values that end up shaping who we are, what Mastroianni calls "vibes." Listen as he and EconTalk's Russ Roberts discuss the role of vibes in knowledge acquisition and the implications for how we teach, learn, and speak to those around us.