Author Neil Pasricha discusses global demographic statistics to contextualize privilege and opportunity with host Shane Parrish.
Assertion Supported
Pasricha: CDC reports US suicide rates are highest since WWII
“The CDC says they have not seen murder, not murder rates, suicide rates this high since World War II.”
Assertion Contradicted
Pasricha: Decision-making energy is replenished only by sleep and glucose
“Decision-making energy is a finite resource, and you know, there's that great book called Willpower by John Tierney, and it's a finite resource. When it's gone, and there's only two ways to replenish it, which is sleep and glucose”
Insight
Pasricha: Remote workers cannot feel tethered to their company community
“You need to have social connection at your job, and you don't feel as tethered to the community of your work when you don't meet or see anybody. Ever. Period.”
Assertion Contradicted
Pasricha: Turning off bright screens gives an hour of extra energy
“And you know what they're actually also finding, Shane, is that the bright screen, when it turns off, gives you about an hour jolt of extra energy.”
Insight
Pasricha: Modern Abundance Weakens Psychological Resilience and Spikes Anxiety
“We live in an era of infinite abundance, and I believe because of that, that's partly why we're seeing spiking anxiety rates, loneliness rates, depression rates, and suicide rates, because we no longer have that musculature.”
Insight
Pasricha: Build resilience by intentionally rigging games so you can win
“So in this global community, it's important to develop resilience by giving ourselves games that we can win.
Sign up for the marathon in the lowest, slowest category, tee off from the tees closest to the pin, rig the game so you can finally win something, and …”