Podcast Summary
Our brains treat future selves as distinct people: Brains perceive future selves differently, activate same region as thinking about others, helps make better decisions for long-term wellbeing
Our brains perceive our future selves as distinct and different from our present selves. Psychologist Hal Hirschfield, who has dedicated his career to studying people's relationship to their future, conducted research using MRI scans to explore this concept. He found that when people were asked to think about themselves in the present, a specific region of the brain lit up. However, when they were asked to imagine their future selves, the same region of the brain was activated as when they thought about other people. This suggests that our brains treat our future selves as if they were someone else. Understanding this distinction can help us be more compassionate towards our future selves and make better decisions for our long-term wellbeing. So, the next time you're considering a choice that may benefit your future self, try to view that version of yourself as a distinct person deserving of your kindness and consideration.
The disconnect between present and future selves: Our brains perceive future selves as separate entities, making it hard to prioritize actions for their benefit over present pleasures. Reasons for this disconnect include the abstract nature of future selves and immediate temptations.
Our brains perceive our future selves as separate entities, making it challenging for us to prioritize actions that benefit them over our present selves. Psychologist Hal Hirschfield likens our relationship with our future selves to that of a colleague we're not overly connected to. This disconnect can make it rational, in some ways, to live for the present, as the consequences will affect someone else. However, some people do form a closer connection with their future selves and are more likely to make sacrifices for them. The reasons for this disconnect are still being researched, but it may be due to the abstract nature of our future selves and the immediate temptations we face in the present. As Marx once quipped, "What have future generations ever done for us?" It can be hard to resist the allure of instant gratification and make sacrifices for an uncertain future gain.
Making future selves more vivid and emotional encourages better financial planning: Techniques like age progression technology can increase saving for retirement by up to 16% by making future selves more relatable and emotionally engaging
Our connection to our future selves significantly influences our financial decision-making. The more distinct we perceive our future selves to be from our present selves on a neural level, the less likely we are to save for them. However, researchers have found that making future selves more vivid and emotional can encourage better financial planning. Techniques like using age progression technology to show people what they might look like in the future can increase the likelihood of saving for retirement by up to 16%. By making future selves more relatable and emotionally engaging, we can strengthen the relationship with our future selves and make better financial decisions for them.
Finding harmony between present and future selves: Focus on deepening conversations between present and future selves, find decisions that benefit both, and recognize small actions today can have significant impacts on future selves.
It's essential to find harmony between living in the moment and planning for the future, despite feelings of hopelessness or uncertainty about what lies ahead. According to psychologist Hal Hirschfield, our brains perceive our future selves as different people, and young adults in particular may struggle to imagine their future selves due to current world events and economic uncertainty. However, it's crucial to recognize that the future will come regardless of how we feel about it. Hal suggests focusing on deepening conversations between now and later and finding decisions that benefit both the present and future selves. This mindset shift can help reduce the constant conflict and tension between the present and future, allowing them to coexist harmoniously. It's important to remember that small actions today can have significant impacts on our future selves, whether it's saving money, spending time with family, or working towards long-term goals. By finding a balance and creating a mosaic of priorities, we can live in the present while also considering the future.
Embracing Change: Our Dreams and Aspirations Evolve Over Time: Our dreams and aspirations can shift dramatically throughout our lives, and it's crucial to stay open to new experiences and perspectives, as they may lead us to unexpected paths and fulfilling futures.
Our dreams and aspirations can change significantly over time, and it's essential to remain open to new experiences and perspectives. The voices from the web series Recess Therapy remind us that our future selves may be vastly different from who we are today. Whether it's a doctor, a queen, a parent, or a journalist, our dreams can evolve as we grow and face new challenges. The illusion of continuity can make us underestimate the potential changes we'll undergo. For instance, Shankar Vedantam, who once aspired to be a soccer star, ended up becoming a journalist. Similarly, pregnancy can change our taste preferences, and major life events like the COVID-19 pandemic can alter our outlooks. The story of John and Stephanie Rink, who traveled around the country after marriage, further emphasizes the importance of embracing change and new experiences.
Understanding our future selves: Accept that we will change and reflect on aspects of ourselves we'd like to improve to better prepare for our future selves
Our future selves may be different from who we are today, and it's essential to consider this when making important decisions. Stephanie, a nurse, expressed her wish to die with dignity if she ever fell ill. However, when she was diagnosed with ALS, she surprised her husband by requesting life support against her earlier wishes. This inconsistency wasn't due to a change of heart but rather the inability to fully understand what it means to be in her current situation. Throughout our lives, we make plans for our future selves, but we might not truly know who they will be. Therefore, accepting that we will change and reflecting on the aspects of ourselves we'd like to improve can help us prepare for our future selves better.
Constructing Future Selves: Embrace curiosity, humility, and bravery to shape future selves. Treat ourselves with empathy and compassion. Trust the process and be open to growth.
We have the power to construct our future selves through curiosity and humility, while also embracing the bravery to face new challenges and trusting that our future selves will have new capacities and strengths. It's important to remember that our current circumstances shape who we are today, but they don't define who we will become. We should treat ourselves with the same empathy and compassion we extend to others, especially during tough times. While it may be impossible to predict every new emotion or circumstance, we can keep in mind that the individual choices we make today will change profoundly in the future, so it's essential to trust the process and be open to growth.
Long-term planning for future generations: Societies that focus on long-term planning are more likely to succeed than those that are short-term oriented
It's not just about individual planning for the future, but also collective memory and planning for the generations to come. Societies that succeed are those that take future threats seriously and plan accordingly. Bina Venkatraman, a columnist at The Washington Post, explored this concept in her book "The Optimist Telescope." She found that societies that focus on long-term planning, like Fukushima, Japan after their nuclear disaster, are more likely to succeed than those that are short-term oriented. It's important for us to consider not only our own future but also the future of our communities and future generations. We can learn from history and use it to inform our collective planning for the future.
Learning from the Past: Fukushima and Onagawa: Effective future planning involves considering historical context and making decisions based on past knowledge to save lives and mitigate negative impacts on the environment.
Effective future planning requires looking beyond recent events and considering historical context. This was highlighted in the contrasting experiences of the Fukushima and Onagawa nuclear power plants during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. While Fukushima suffered catastrophic damage, Onagawa's power plant, built with foresight by engineer Janosuke Hirai, became a refuge for the community. Hirai's knowledge of historical disasters and their impact informed his decisions, saving lives. Conversely, Japan's response to the Fukushima disaster led to a reduction in nuclear power and an increase in fossil fuels, contributing to climate change. Similarly, the challenge of nuclear waste disposal requires governments to think generations ahead, as the waste's impact can last much longer than contemporary language or political structures. Innovative solutions, like genetically engineering cats to detect nuclear waste, reflect the need for creative and long-term solutions.
Recognizing the powerlessness of future generations and becoming responsible stewards: Strive to leave a positive legacy by protecting and preserving for future generations, rather than exploiting or colonizing their future
We can't fully know or predict the needs and desires of future generations, but we can pass on valuable and meaningful artifacts and knowledge to them. By seeing ourselves as part of a continuum and good ancestors, we can help ensure a better future for all of humanity. Roman Krasnarek emphasizes the importance of recognizing the powerlessness of future generations and becoming responsible stewards of their inheritance. We should strive to leave a positive legacy by protecting and preserving for future generations, rather than exploiting or colonizing their future.
Thinking and Planning for the Future on a Large Scale: Time rebels are leading a global movement towards longer-term perspectives in politics and decision-making, inspiring initiatives like Japan's future design movement and Our Children's Trust's legal actions for future generations' rights. Learning from nature's evolution and focusing on regenerating our planet can help us ensure a better future for all.
A global movement, led by time rebels, is pushing for a longer-term perspective in politics and decision-making. This can be seen in Japan's future design movement, which brings together residents to plan for the future as if they were from that time. Another example is the Our Children's Trust organization, which is using lawsuits to secure the rights of future generations to a safe climate. To truly think and plan on a large scale, like millennia, we can learn from nature's 3.8 billion years of evolution and focus on regenerating and caring for our planetary home. By doing so, we can become time rebels and ensure a better future for our children and future generations.
