The Surprising Science of Cynicism (Plus: The Policy Paradox of the 2024 Election)

The Surprising Science of Cynicism (Plus: The Policy Paradox of the 2024 Election)

Derek shares his biggest frustrations about the 2024 election, like the lack of a policy debate and blind spots in news coverage and polling analysis. Then he welcomes Jamil Zaki to the show: a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. Zaki is the author of ‘Hope for Cynics,’ a new book that explores tension at the heart of human affairs. On one hand, social cooperation is the basis of human civilization. And yet cynicism—a baseline aversion to social cooperation and assumption that most people are greedy, selfish, and dishonest—is also core to the human experience. We are constantly violating the secret of our own success by assuming the worst in others, and Professor Zaki explains why. If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek Thompson Guest: Jamil Zaki Producer: Devon Baroldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episoder(362)

The End of Roe v. Wade Changes Everything

The End of Roe v. Wade Changes Everything

We react to the landmark Supreme Court decision and explain how it could affect the future of the court, national politics, fertility and family planning, state law, corporate policy, and more. To fur...

24 Jun 202242min

Why Air Travel Is a Hot Mess Right Now

Why Air Travel Is a Hot Mess Right Now

Lately, it feels like we’re surrounded by systems and industries that aren’t working the way they should. There's an oil shortage, and a baby formula shortage, and a used car shortage, and a microchip...

24 Jun 202242min

Why Gas Prices Are Skyrocketing—and an Ingenious Plan to Bring Them Down

Why Gas Prices Are Skyrocketing—and an Ingenious Plan to Bring Them Down

Expensive energy is an economic, psychological, and political scourge. Nominally, gas prices are at a record high. Adjusted for inflation, they could break the all-time record if they rise just anothe...

21 Jun 202245min

The Big Winners and Losers From the Remote Work Revolution

The Big Winners and Losers From the Remote Work Revolution

Most news is all about the immediate present. For instance, everything that is happening in the economy right now could be a historical anecdote in five years. But sometimes, norms change—and they sta...

17 Jun 202248min

The End of the Everything Boom (Plus: The Federal Reserve's Risky Move)

The End of the Everything Boom (Plus: The Federal Reserve's Risky Move)

This is a huge week for economic and finance news. On Wednesday afternoon, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.75 percentage points, its biggest move since 1994. Derek breaks down what this...

15 Jun 202240min

The Big Inflation FAQ: Why It’s So High, How Everyone Got It Wrong, and What's Next

The Big Inflation FAQ: Why It’s So High, How Everyone Got It Wrong, and What's Next

Inflation is the story that everybody keeps missing. In 2020, many people didn't expect inflation to rise. Wrong. In 2021, many expected inflation to be brief or "transitory." Wrong. Last month, many ...

13 Jun 202250min

California’s Elections Sent an Important Message. What Is It?

California’s Elections Sent an Important Message. What Is It?

Today’s episode is about two California elections and the message they sent to the rest of the country. In San Francisco, progressive district attorney Chesa Boudin was recalled by voters after years ...

10 Jun 202241min

Curiosity Corner: America’s Gun Dilemma, the Future of Corporate Politics, Relationship Advice, and More!

Curiosity Corner: America’s Gun Dilemma, the Future of Corporate Politics, Relationship Advice, and More!

Welcome to Curiosity Corner! In our first ever all-mailbag episode, Derek answers a Republican’s question about gun control, explains how American companies became so political, revisits a controversi...

7 Jun 202235min

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