BRAIN WAVES
A study for the ages. When does old age begin? There’s no one definition of when we enter our so-called golden years. But for many of us, “old age” is getting later and later. A recent study surveyed thousands of Germans between the ages of 40 and 85, and asked them to pinpoint the age they considered to be old. Their answers varied by generation. Those who were 64, for example, said on average that old age begins at 75. And the age at which they considered themselves old is trending up over time: younger study respondents considered “old age” to be later than their older peers. What gives? One possible answer is that humans are living longer than they ever have before. The researchers also cite our biases about aging. “People postpone old age as they do not want to enter this rather undesirable life phase,” co-author Markus Wettstein told National Geographic. So remember, we’re forever young.
Looking on the sunny side. Ever wonder why you view the world with rose-tinted glasses, while your friend or family member sees darkness around every corner? In a study published this week, researchers put participants into brain scanning machines and asked them to imagine a future event. The subjects then answered questions to determine how optimistic or pessimistic they were about said events. The optimists, it turned out, shared a similar brain pattern. But each pessimist’s brain scan was unique. “There may be many different ways for a person to be pessimistic, while optimistic people tend to converge on a few shared mental models of a hopeful future,” social neuroscientist Elisa Baek told Scientific American. Researchers speculate that the similarities between optimists’ brain patterns might help them to form social connections with each other. Sounds to us like a hypothesis developed by an optimist.
A happy accident. Many of us believe that hard work and persistence are the key to achieving our goals. But is that true when it comes to the pursuit of happiness? Listen to this conversation about why happiness can seem more elusive the harder we chase it, and what we can do instead to build a lasting sense of contentment.
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
You 2.0: The Wisdom of Stoicism: What does it mean to be stoic? Many of us assume it means you have a stiff upper lip, or that you suppress your emotions. That’s what Massimo Pigliucci thought — until he started to peruse a book called Meditations. It was written nearly two thousand years ago by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. But Massimo, now a philosopher, says Meditations, and Stoic philosophy more broadly, offer wisdom that continues to speak to our lives. This week, we explore Stoic ideas and what they tell us about a life well lived.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
Alek Hermon’s Story: After Alek’s father died in the hospital, a nurse shared his grief.
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Don’t forget to send us the story of your unsung hero! Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.
WHAT HAPPENS...
...when life interferes with our best laid plans? That's the question at the center of A Slight Change of Plans, hosted by behavioral scientist Dr. Maya Shankar. Previously named Apple’s Best Show of the Year, A Slight Change of Plans features deeply personal stories and scientific insights about who we are and who we become in the face of a big change. You’ll hear stories from people navigating loss, illness, heartbreak, and all other kinds of unexpected life events, plus interviews with experts who help us understand our own reactions to our changing world — people like psychiatrist Judith Joseph on combating “pathological productivity” and reclaiming our joy, author Sahil Bloom on breaking with conventional definitions of life success, and writer Mel Robbins on learning to let go of our control of others. Listen to A Slight Change of Plans wherever you get podcasts and subscribe to Maya’s free newsletter at changewithmaya.com.
HIDDEN BRAIN ON TOUR!
The Hidden Brain tour continues this weekend with stops in the Lone Star State! Join our host Shankar Vedantam as he brings seven key insights from the first decade of Hidden Brain to the stage.
MIND GAMES
What building has the most stories?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
14,500 people sit in a stadium. One of them is picked out. What are the chances that the person's birthday is on a Sunday?
The answer: 1/7. The number of people in the crowd is irrelevant.
A MOMENT OF JOY
A revolutionary new way to listen to podcasts
Have an idea for Hidden Brain? A story you want to share with us? Send an email to ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Listen to us on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform.