Is it more important to help society or to help yourself? Does the self-improvement movement do any good for the world? And which podcast episode does Stephen cling to as proof that he’s doing something valuable?
How do you know when it’s the right time to retire? What does a “good” retirement look like? And will Stephen and Angela ever really hang up their hats?
What’s the difference between dispositional optimism and agentic hope? Are there benefits to taking a long shot, even if it turns out to be an air ball? And how is Angela like an N.F.L. quarterback?
Can you quantify emotional intelligence? Who should you hire — someone smart, or someone good with people? And how did Angie do on an online emotional intelligence test?
Why are humans so fascinated by coincidences? What do Carl Jung and an album by The Police have in common? And what did Stephen win in a bar mitzvah limbo contest?
What is the cost of admitting you’re wrong? How can intellectual humility make you more open minded? And will Stephen finally persuade Angela that rum-raisin is the best flavor of ice cream?
How is “negative reinforcement” different from punishment? Could positive reinforcement encourage prosocial behavior on a national scale? And what’s the deal with Taiwan’s dog-poop lottery?
What’s the connection between conversations about money and financial literacy? Could the taboo against talking about your salary be fading? And why did Angie’s teenage daughter call Vanguard to learn about I.R.A.s?
In this special episode of No Stupid Questions, Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth discuss the consequences of seeing every glass as at least half-full.
Why are great accomplishments often followed by disappointment? Is it better to win and feel bummed out than to never have won at all? And where was ping-pong invented?
Also: what does your name say about who you are?
Also: how do phone cameras affect the way we experience live events?
Also: is a little knowledge truly a dangerous thing?
Also: how much does confidence really matter?
Also: does knowing your family history affect your identity?
Also: why is it so great to be part of a team, even when you lose?
Also: why do so many people feel lost in their 20s?
Also: what’s a food you love that seems disgusting to everyone else?
Also: which professions have the happiest people?
Also: why is it smart to ignore what your podcast hosts look like?
Also: what’s the best way to handle rejection?
Also: is obsessing over your mental health bad for your mental health?
Also: do we overestimate or underestimate our significance in other people’s lives?
Also: why don’t you need a license to become a parent?
Also: why do we hoard? (Rebroadcast From Ep. 28)
Also: should you feel guilty if you don’t read books?
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