You Vs. Your Future Podcast
Writing Assignment #1 - You vs. Your future
Podcast Summary
The podcast talks about us as human beings, and how we are one of the few creatures to understand the concept of self, which includes the ability to interpret our experiences. We are also capable of learning from experiences we have never had, based off of our assumptions/imagination. Our assumptions at times are not solely based off of our own thinking, but rather off of other’s similar experiences/thoughts on the matter, which we integrate into our conclusion in the end. Moreover, we still do not predict the future accurately. The podcast further states how once our minds get into imagining the future, we still tend to leave out important details. The podcast also states, that we don’t consider how much we will change in the future, therefore …show more content…
restating the fact that we do not predict the future accurately.
Towards the end of the interview, it was stated that making the human imagination/prediction better (more accurate) is not possible, this was their conclusion after 15 years of research. Although all hope is not lost, the best way to alleviate this problem is by asking individuals who are part of one’s future how they feel, for they have made it (they have achieved the said goal). The measure of their happiness is an acceptable guide to measure our own happiness in the future, although this is not usually the case since we tend to trust our own judgement, rather than information provided from other people. We experience a concept called the “Illusion of Diversity”, where we think that others experiences tell us only a fraction of what we could experience, since we are different individuals. In addition, we
make these assumptions because we, as humans, dislike uncertainty.
Role of Introspection
The role of introspection is relevant to humans due to the fact that it gives us information about ourselves. The process of introspection is is defined by “looking inwards and the examination of one’s own thoughts, feelings, and motives” according to Arson, Wilson, Akert, and Sommers (2013) (p. 125). We as humans are always asking ourselves questions, such as “who are we?” or “why do we do the things we do?” The process of introspection provides us some answers to the said question, although it is far from perfect. Depending on your state of mind or current situation, your definition of self, or your identity may not be concurrent to exactly who you truly are as a whole. Also, figuring out why we feel or act the way we do is not usually clear cut. There are many factors which influences our actions and thoughts at any given time, and sometimes we overlap one cause with another. According to Arson, Wilson, Akert, and Sommers (2013), "Introspection may not lead us to the true causes of our feelings and behavior, but we’ll manage to convince ourselves that we did...because people’s explanation of their feelings and behavior often go beyond what they can reasonably know" (p. 128).
Possible Impacts of Culture on Introspection
In regards to the influence of culture in the process of introspection, one's culture most often influences one's outlook of a situation or their sense of self. According to Arson, Wilson, Akert, and Sommers (2013), "In Western cultures, people have an independent view of the self, in contrast to many Asian and other non-Western cultures where individuals have an interdependent view of the self" (p. 122). To elaborate, Westerners most often feel no pressure nor sense of obligation from the feelings and perspective of others. The opposite is true for non-Westerners, who take into consideration the feelings and thoughts of others over their own. For example, if an individual from a Western background wishes to marry, it is most likely the couple who has the last word on the matter. Non-Western cultures on the other hand, preferably Asian and Hispanic cultures would have a different take on the matter, the couple would most likely seek the approval of their families first before they take further actions. So based of off one’s culture, their sense of self may solely depend on their own internal views or the views of those around them.
Role of Self-awareness on Happiness
The role of self-awareness in one's happiness is linked to how much they know their own character, inner feelings, motivations, and aspirations. Although, depending who you are, some may be more happier not exploring their innermost thoughts and desires. Some individuals are more happy once they have gained a sense of self-awareness, since they are able to see clearly who they are and what it is they truly seek in life. There is a sense of cleansing after one faces their innermost thoughts and faced their demons head on; they gain a sense of clarity afterwards, which results in a moment of peace and happiness in this new found enlightenment.
Friend’s Future Happiness Advice If I were talking to a friend regarding their future happiness and recommending what is the most important thing to consider, I would have to start with a question first; I have to know what it is they want/seek in their future. Does this search for future happiness stem from the fact that they are currently unhappy, or are they simply hoping to maintain their state of happiness at the moment? There are many factors which influences our state of happiness, and it differs from person to person. Some become happy by achieving a certain goal, while others become happy by gaining a sense of self (self discovery). Moreover, culture plays a role in one's view of self, in that case, one’s happiness can be internally or externally influenced, or even both. In the end, one's happiness is dependent on the individual's state of mind and how they view their current situation, in relation to what they wish to achieve in the future.
Podcast Summary
The podcast talks about us as human beings, and how we are one of the few creatures to understand the concept of self, which includes the ability to interpret our experiences. We are also capable of learning from experiences we have never had, based off of our assumptions/imagination. Our assumptions at times are not solely based off of our own thinking, but rather off of other’s similar experiences/thoughts on the matter, which we integrate into our conclusion in the end. Moreover, we still do not predict the future accurately. The podcast further states how once our minds get into imagining the future, we still tend to leave out important details. The podcast also states, that we don’t consider how much we will change in the future, therefore …show more content…
restating the fact that we do not predict the future accurately.
Towards the end of the interview, it was stated that making the human imagination/prediction better (more accurate) is not possible, this was their conclusion after 15 years of research. Although all hope is not lost, the best way to alleviate this problem is by asking individuals who are part of one’s future how they feel, for they have made it (they have achieved the said goal). The measure of their happiness is an acceptable guide to measure our own happiness in the future, although this is not usually the case since we tend to trust our own judgement, rather than information provided from other people. We experience a concept called the “Illusion of Diversity”, where we think that others experiences tell us only a fraction of what we could experience, since we are different individuals. In addition, we
make these assumptions because we, as humans, dislike uncertainty.
Role of Introspection
The role of introspection is relevant to humans due to the fact that it gives us information about ourselves. The process of introspection is is defined by “looking inwards and the examination of one’s own thoughts, feelings, and motives” according to Arson, Wilson, Akert, and Sommers (2013) (p. 125). We as humans are always asking ourselves questions, such as “who are we?” or “why do we do the things we do?” The process of introspection provides us some answers to the said question, although it is far from perfect. Depending on your state of mind or current situation, your definition of self, or your identity may not be concurrent to exactly who you truly are as a whole. Also, figuring out why we feel or act the way we do is not usually clear cut. There are many factors which influences our actions and thoughts at any given time, and sometimes we overlap one cause with another. According to Arson, Wilson, Akert, and Sommers (2013), "Introspection may not lead us to the true causes of our feelings and behavior, but we’ll manage to convince ourselves that we did...because people’s explanation of their feelings and behavior often go beyond what they can reasonably know" (p. 128).
Possible Impacts of Culture on Introspection
In regards to the influence of culture in the process of introspection, one's culture most often influences one's outlook of a situation or their sense of self. According to Arson, Wilson, Akert, and Sommers (2013), "In Western cultures, people have an independent view of the self, in contrast to many Asian and other non-Western cultures where individuals have an interdependent view of the self" (p. 122). To elaborate, Westerners most often feel no pressure nor sense of obligation from the feelings and perspective of others. The opposite is true for non-Westerners, who take into consideration the feelings and thoughts of others over their own. For example, if an individual from a Western background wishes to marry, it is most likely the couple who has the last word on the matter. Non-Western cultures on the other hand, preferably Asian and Hispanic cultures would have a different take on the matter, the couple would most likely seek the approval of their families first before they take further actions. So based of off one’s culture, their sense of self may solely depend on their own internal views or the views of those around them.
Role of Self-awareness on Happiness
The role of self-awareness in one's happiness is linked to how much they know their own character, inner feelings, motivations, and aspirations. Although, depending who you are, some may be more happier not exploring their innermost thoughts and desires. Some individuals are more happy once they have gained a sense of self-awareness, since they are able to see clearly who they are and what it is they truly seek in life. There is a sense of cleansing after one faces their innermost thoughts and faced their demons head on; they gain a sense of clarity afterwards, which results in a moment of peace and happiness in this new found enlightenment.
Friend’s Future Happiness Advice If I were talking to a friend regarding their future happiness and recommending what is the most important thing to consider, I would have to start with a question first; I have to know what it is they want/seek in their future. Does this search for future happiness stem from the fact that they are currently unhappy, or are they simply hoping to maintain their state of happiness at the moment? There are many factors which influences our state of happiness, and it differs from person to person. Some become happy by achieving a certain goal, while others become happy by gaining a sense of self (self discovery). Moreover, culture plays a role in one's view of self, in that case, one’s happiness can be internally or externally influenced, or even both. In the end, one's happiness is dependent on the individual's state of mind and how they view their current situation, in relation to what they wish to achieve in the future.