What is 'transgenerational empathy' and how can I develop it?

Transgenerational empathy is a mindset that starts with self-compassion, recognizing you're doing the best you can. It then extends to empathy for those who came before you (your ancestors) and, crucially, to future generations. To develop it, you need to not just cognitively think about future generations' well-being but actually feel what it would be like for them to flourish, creating an emotional anchor for your actions. (Timestamp: 969)

Are humans genuinely better off now than in the past, despite widespread pessimism?

Yes, in aggregate, humanity is better off now than ever before across many metrics, including health, infant mortality, education, and access to resources. However, a negativity bias in media and human psychology often makes us focus on problems rather than progress. (Timestamp: 1618)

How can emotions be used to drive future-oriented actions?

Emotions serve as a 'Cat Anchor' that pulls us towards desired futures. Instead of just intellectually visualizing a future, you need to feel the emotional state you want associated with that future. This emotional connection, as per Damasio's somatic marker hypothesis, drives changes in behavior by linking the desired outcome to a visceral feeling, making you more likely to pursue actions that lead to it. (Timestamp: 2046)

What is 'Cathedral Thinking' and how can it inspire individuals?

Cathedral Thinking refers to undertaking significant, long-term projects whose completion or full benefit you may not personally witness, much like medieval architects who began cathedrals they knew they wouldn't see finished. It emphasizes contributing to a legacy for future generations, even without personal credit or attribution, fostering a sense of purpose beyond one's lifespan. (Timestamp: 2572)

How does social media affect our ability to think long-term and foster positive behavior?

Social media, often compared to a casino, is designed with short-term reward contingencies (likes, comments) that can shorten our temporal window and promote hyperbolic, high-friction interactions. It's challenging to use it as a 'time capsule' for long-term values, as most content has a very short shelf life. It mostly reflects current cultural narratives rather than building for generations. (Timestamp: 3768)

What are the three pillars of Ari Wallach's 'Long Path' philosophy?

Ari Wallach's 'Long Path' philosophy rests on three pillars: 1) Transgenerational Empathy (for self, past, and future), 2) Futures Thinking (seeing futures as a verb, not just a singular noun), and 3) Telos (a collective ultimate aim or purpose for our species and civilization, which is currently lacking in Western society). (Timestamp: 4171)

Why is confronting one's own mortality crucial for thinking about the far future?

According to Ernest Becker's 'The Denial of Death', humans uniquely acknowledge their mortality, and much of our culture attempts to deny this reality. To truly think and feel into the far future means contemplating a time when you no longer exist. Reconciling with one's mortality can free individuals from societal pressures and allow for genuine long-term planning for future generations, rather than just seeking quantity of life. (Timestamp: 5430)

What simple, actionable protocols can I use to connect with my future self and foster long-term thinking?

Several protocols can help: 1) Place an empty photo frame visible in your home to represent future descendants. 2) Write a letter to your future self, to be delivered years later, detailing your hopes and aspirations. 3) Use age-progression apps to create an 'older you' image and regularly view it to build empathy for your future self. These actions help to visualize and emotionally connect with long-term outcomes. (Timestamp: 4617)

How can individuals contribute to mass flourishing for future generations?

Mass flourishing can be achieved through a collective 'Homo sapiens project' where individuals recognize their role in a larger purpose. This scales through social-emotional contagion, where modeling positive behavior (in all interactions, from family to strangers) creates reverberations that influence others. It's not about grand gestures but about daily intentional actions and a commitment to nurturing better ways of being in the world. (Timestamp: 7310)

What is 'protopia' and why are stories about it important?

Protopia, a concept by Kevin Kelly, describes a better tomorrow that isn't perfect but consistently makes progress. In contrast to dystopian narratives (which serve as warning systems), protopian stories are crucial because they offer visions of what happens when we 'get it right.' These narratives inspire hope and provide a positive roadmap for societal advancement, enabling collective aspirations beyond mere survival. (Timestamp: 7089)

Why is it important to critically examine inherited stories and behaviors?

Many societal norms and individual behaviors, like why we vote on Tuesdays, are rooted in outdated historical contexts. By critically examining these 'why Tuesdays'—both macro-social and personal narratives—we can discern which stories still serve us and which do not. This discernment allows us to consciously write new stories for ourselves, fostering agency, hope, and awe in our lives as 'crew on spaceship Earth,' moving toward desired futures. (Timestamp: 7755)

Key Moments

Create Your Ideal Future Using Science-Based Protocols | Ari Wallach

Andrew Huberman

Science & Technology3 min read138 min video

Oct 14, 2024|300,239 views|6,175|440

andrew huberman huberman lab podcast huberman podcast dr. andrew huberman neuroscience huberman lab andrew huberman podcast the huberman lab podcast science podcast ari wallach dr ari wallach

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Future thinking requires self-compassion and empathy, moving beyond short-term rewards to build a meaningful legacy.

Key Insights

Human brains are uniquely capable of mental time travel, but modern technology often traps us in presentism.

Transgenerational empathy, starting with self-compassion, is crucial for long-term thinking and action.

Emotions serve as 'CJ anchors,' guiding future actions and decision-making, rather than just being relics of the past.

The concept of 'cathedral thinking' encourages individuals to undertake projects whose benefits they may not live to see.

Our connection to future generations and the planet is essential for developing wisdom and moving beyond individual lifespan bias.

Creating future-oriented narratives, like 'protopia' (a better tomorrow), can counteract dystopian tendencies and inspire action.

THE CHALLENGE OF PRESENTISM AND MENTAL TIME TRAVEL

Humans possess a unique ability for mental time travel, allowing us to ponder the past, present, and future. However, Ari Wallach argues that modern technology and societal structures have increasingly trapped us in a state of 'presentism,' a hyper-focus on immediate stimuli and rewards. This constant engagement with the 'now' erodes our capacity for long-term thinking, making it difficult to plan for or even imagine a future beyond our immediate concerns. This shortens our temporal horizon, impacting individual and collective decision-making.

TRANSGENERATIONAL EMPATHY: BUILDING FROM WITHIN

Wallach introduces 'transgenerational empathy' as a framework for extending our concern across time. This concept begins with self-empathy, which is akin to self-compassion. It involves recognizing our limitations and accepting that we are doing the best we can with our current circumstances, rather than holding ourselves to idealized standards. This internal foundation of empathy is essential before one can extend it outward to those who came before, those around us, and ultimately, future generations.

EMOTIONS AS GUIDES FOR FUTURE ACTION

Contrary to some psychological viewpoints, emotions are presented not as mere echoes of past events but as vital signals for future behavior. Wallach refers to emotions as "CJ anchors" that pull us toward desired futures. By connecting with the desired emotional states of our future selves or future generations—feeling the happiness or peace we wish for them—we create a powerful, visceral motivation to take action. This somatic connection is more potent than purely cognitive or intellectual planning.

CATHEDRAL THINKING AND THE GIFT OF THE UNSEEN

The concept of 'cathedral thinking' illustrates the importance of undertaking projects with long-term impact, the benefits of which may not be realized within our own lifetime. This involves planting carob trees whose shade we may never enjoy or building structures like cathedrals whose completion we might not witness. It's about contributing to a larger, ongoing process and giving up the need for immediate personal credit, understanding that true legacy lies in our contributions to future flourishing.

THE ROLE OF STORYTELLING AND PROTOPIA

Stories are fundamental to cultural transmission and wisdom. While dystopian narratives, which often highlight potential negative futures, can serve as warning systems, Wallach emphasizes the importance of 'protopia'—stories of a better, not perfect, tomorrow. These narratives focus on progress and positive change, counteracting the prevalent short-term thinking and negativity bias. Developing and sharing stories of protopia can offer a collective vision and incentive for constructive action.

ACTIONABLE PROTOCOLS FOR FUTURE-MINDEDNESS

To combat presentism and foster long-term thinking, concrete practices are suggested. These include visualizing an aged version of oneself to encourage future self-care, writing letters to future selves to clarify aspirations and create roadmaps, and maintaining a symbolic 'empty photo frame' representing future generations. Critically examining our inherited behaviors and societal narratives, and consciously choosing to write new, more serving stories, are vital steps toward becoming 'great ancestors' who contribute to collective flourishing.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Supplements

●Products

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●Drugs & Medications

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Protocols for Cultivating a Future-Oriented Mindset

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Engage in mental time travel towards the future, envisioning scenarios and desired outcomes (540 seconds)

Practice self-compassion and empathy for your past self, acknowledging you did your best with what you had (1001 seconds)

Cultivate empathy for others by truly feeling their emotional states, not just intellectually understanding them (2026 seconds)

Connect desired future outcomes with emotional states to create a 'Cat Anchor' that drives action and behavioral change (2046 seconds)

Engage in 'Cathedral Thinking': contribute to projects or legacies whose full impact you may not witness (2572 seconds)

Model positive behaviors and interactions in your daily life, as these are transmitted across generations (3047 seconds)

Create physical anchors for future thinking, such as an empty photo frame for future descendants (4635 seconds)

Write a letter to your future self (5-10 years from now) outlining your hopes, dreams, and desired trajectory (5886 seconds)

Regularly view an age-progressed image of yourself, ideally on a bathroom mirror, to connect with and care for your future self (5171 seconds)

Confront and reconcile with the reality of your own mortality, perhaps through a 'death meditation', to free yourself from societal burdens (5599 seconds)

Critically examine the inherited stories and behaviors that shape your present, and write new ones that serve your desired future (7830 seconds)

Recognize your role as 'crew' on 'spaceship Earth' and contribute with intention, knowing your actions have reverberations beyond the current moment (7882 seconds)

Avoid This

Avoid 'presentism' – being locked in constant stimulus-response without foresight for the future (732 seconds)

Do not solely focus on short-term reward schedules, which diminish long-term perspective (429 seconds)

Avoid letting the 'negativity bias' of media or dystopian entertainment dominate your perception of the future (1700 seconds)

Do not rely solely on cognitive or intellectual understanding of desired futures; connect them emotionally (2074 seconds)

Let go of the egoic need for immediate credit or attribution for your contributions; focus on the lasting impact (2667 seconds)

Do not fall into the trap of social media algorithms that shorten your temporal window and promote high-friction interactions (3872 seconds)

Avoid believing that 'super high-achievers' or systems will solely take care of the future for you (7274 seconds)

Don't ignore the fragmentation of traditional institutions (religion, family, academia) that previously provided long-term narratives (6400 seconds)

Common Questions

The human brain is uniquely capable of mental time travel, allowing us to project thoughts and memories into the past, present, or future. This capacity, primarily linked to the hippocampus, originally helped Homo sapiens plan for survival, such as hunting large game. However, modern society, especially through technology, has fostered 'presentism' – a focus on immediate gratification and stimulus-response, shortening our temporal horizon and making long-term planning difficult. (Timestamp: 510)

Topics

Time Perception Neuroscience & the Brain Mindset & Self-Improvement Society & Philosophy Societal Progress Future Planning Digital Ethics Behavioral Change Human Potential Legacy Building Empathy Development

Mentioned in this video

Organizations

Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs

The institution where Ari Wallach holds an adjunct associate professor position.

Companies

Helix Sleep

A company that makes customized mattresses and pillows based on individual sleep needs, offering a two-minute quiz to match users to ideal products.

ROKA

A company that produces high-quality eyeglasses and sunglasses, initially designed for sports but now suitable for any setting due to their lightweight and non-slip design.

Products

Hunter 2.0 frames

A specific style of Roka frames that Andrew Huberman uses for both eyeglasses and sunglasses.

Dusk mattress

A specific mattress model from Helix Sleep that Andrew Huberman has been using for over four years and highly recommends.

Concepts

Transgenerational Empathy

Ari Wallach's concept advocating for empathy and compassion for oneself, those who came before, and future generations.

Meme Theory

Susan Blackmore's concept that cultural units, similar to genes, are transmitted through imitation and learning across generations, influencing future behavior and societal norms.

Cathedral Thinking

A concept referring to undertaking projects whose fruits or completion one will not live to see, emphasizing long-term vision and contributions to future generations.

Long Path Labs

Ari Wallach's framework focused on long-term thinking and coordinated behavior at individual, organizational, and societal levels to ensure species thriving.

People

Martha Beck

A life coach and author who has developed practices for connecting with emotional states to guide action, including a 'perfect day' exercise.

Ernest Becker

Author of 'The Denial of Death', which posits that humanity's unique awareness of mortality drives much of culture and creation as a way to deny death.

Ari Wallach

Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and host of 'A Brief History of the Future'. He is an expert in long-term thinking and proposes methods for connecting present actions to future outcomes.

Martin Seligman

Considered the father of positive psychology, he proposed the idea of Homo Prospectus, emphasizing humanity's unique ability for mental time travel towards the future and collaboration.

Antonio Damasio

Neuroscientist known for the somatic marker hypothesis, which suggests that emotions are crucial for rational decision-making, by linking feelings to future outcomes.

Albert Einstein

A rare scientist whose name remains associated with his discoveries, contrasting with most scientific contributions where the original discoverer is often forgotten over time.

Susan Blackmore

A psychologist known for her meme theory, suggesting that cultural units (memes) are transmitted across generations, impacting future behavior.

Hal Hershfield

A researcher at UCLA on Ari Wallach's advisory board who studies 'future you' and found that showing people age-progressed photos of themselves increased their savings for retirement.

Wendy Suzuki

Professor and Dean of Arts and Sciences at NYU, who studies the benefits of short meditations for stress management and emotional development in college students.

Andrew Huberman

Host of the Huberman Lab podcast and a professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine. He facilitates the discussion and shares his personal experiences and insights.

Jonathan Haidt

Author of 'The Anxious Generation' and 'The Coddling of the American Mind', a professor at NYU who has discussed the impact of technology on mental states, particularly 'presentism'.

James Hollis

An 84-year-old Jungian psychoanalyst who recommends taking 5-10 minutes daily to exit stimulus-response mode and look inward to understand one's true wishes.

Sam Sheridan

Author of 'A Fighter's Heart', a book about martial arts, who made a profound statement about needing to be 19 to have your 20th birthday, implying living in the present stage of life.

Kevin Kelly

The person who coined the term 'protopia' to describe a better tomorrow that is not perfect but consistently making progress, as an alternative to utopia and dystopia.

David Goggins

An ultramarathon runner known for his extreme discipline and aversion to social media's short-term focus, though he has used it to share his message.

Lex Fridman

A podcaster who asked if a social media platform could exist where benevolence is rewarded, suggesting a need for different incentive structures online.

Ted Tilton

Ari Wallach's high school track coach who taught him that winning a 4x100 relay race depends on baton passing in the transition zone, analogous to humanity's current societal transitions.

Steve Jobs

Co-founder of Apple, known for living with a strong sense of urgency driven by an intuitive awareness of his own mortality, leading to ambitious and often uncompromising actions.

Ryan Holiday

Author and speaker who believes that individuals struggling in college are precisely those who need to remain in higher education, as it provides a structured path for development.

Locations

Blue Mosque

A historical architectural marvel mentioned as an example of a magnificent structure that evokes awe, whose original builders are unknown, highlighting the concept of legacy without attribution.

Lincoln Center

A performing arts center mentioned as a named institution, probing whether names of benefactors truly endure over centuries.

Sydney Opera House

A beautiful building mentioned as another example of architecture built over a long period, acknowledging its Danish architect but highlighting that specific names are often forgotten over time.

Sproul Plaza

A plaza at Berkeley known for the Free Speech Movement, cited as an example where the namesake is often forgotten while the events associated with the place endure.

Books

Neural Network Newsletter

A free monthly newsletter from Huberman Lab that includes podcast summaries and PDF protocols on various topics like neuroplasticity, sleep, and fitness.

The Denial of Death

A Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Ernest Becker arguing that human culture, religion, and creations are fundamentally driven by our efforts to deny and transcend the reality of our own mortality.

Walter Isaacson biography

The biography of Steve Jobs, which informed Andrew Huberman about Jobs's perspective on urgency and mortality.

Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body

Andrew Huberman's first book, based on 30+ years of research and experience, covering science-backed protocols for sleep, exercise, stress control, focus, and motivation.

Homo Prospectus

A book by Martin Seligman describing how humans are unique in their ability to mentally time travel into the future and collaborate to achieve desired scenarios.

Drugs & Medications

Tylenol

Over-the-counter pain reliever that a study showed could alleviate emotional pain after a breakup, indicating a shared neural circuitry for physical and emotional pain.

Media

A Brief History of the Future

A new TV series hosted by Ari Wallach that focuses on future possibilities and long-term thinking.

Supplements

AG1

A comprehensive nutritional supplement containing vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, and adaptogens, used daily by Andrew Huberman for energy, immune support, and gut health.