Aspirations Beyond the Ordinary

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A deep desire for significance drives professionals—whether a writer longing for timeless prose or a doctor seeking transformative impact. This yearning pushes individuals to strive for achievements that transcend routine or incremental improvements. Even amidst their ambitions, complexities arise, such as the challenges accompanying fame and leadership roles. Notably, taking on a leadership position can lead to unexpected responsibilities, like advocating for social change, exemplified by a doctor's role in desegregating a church, showcasing the influence professionals can wield beyond their primary vocations.

When physician Walter Freeman died in 1972, he still believed that lobotomies were the best treatment for mental illness. A pioneer in the method, he was a deeply confident and charismatic man who eagerly spread the technique in America, long after the rise of alternative treatments that were less destructive. Listen as journalist Megan McArdle and EconTalk's Russ Roberts discuss what McArdle calls the "Oedipus Trap": mistakes that no one can live with, even if they were innocently made, and how admitting such mistakes to ourselves is nearly impossible. They also discuss the complexity of the credo, "follow the science."