EPISODE · Jun 27, 2025 · 42 MIN
Do You Think Like a Caveman? Surprising Mindset Lessons From History
from Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement · host Sam Webster Harris | Growth Mindset Psychology
Where does the scarcity mindset, imposter syndrome, and loss aversion come from? Welcome to a mindset masterclass from history. Learn if the very instincts that kept humanity alive are now keeping you from truly living. For 290,000 years, we survived by playing it safe, following the tribe, and hoarding resources. These weren't character flaws—they were survival strategies in a world where innovation could mean death. The scarcity mindset that once threatened our ancestors' survival now threatens our potential. The tribal conformity that once protected us now prevents breakthrough thinking. The focused attention that once saved lives now creates cognitive tunnels. This episode goes beyond history to recognise the invisible forces shaping your choices and breaking out of survival mode. ------- NEW SHOW - How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8 ------- UPGRADE to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: Do You Think Like a Caveman? Surprising Mindset Lessons From History Chapters: 00:00 GM - 5 Mindset Locks on Innovation 02:58 The Hand Axe Conundrum 04:51 Episode Goals 06:06 #1 - SURVIVAL 06:42 Energy requirements 08:51 Time Scarcity 11:20 Risk and Psychological Safety 13:39 Survival and Scarcity Mindset 16:15 #2 - CULTURE 18:03 Culture in New Guinea 19:02 Results of trying ideas 20:46 The Grandmother Hypothesis 21:43 Widowhood statistics 23:07 Kaulong Tribe Widow killing 24:49 Catalhoyuk - 1000 years of stasis 25:59 Culture, Social Pressure, Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome 28:47 #3 - KNOWLEDGE 30:51 Losing knowledge 32:14 Maths 33:01 Communication and Language 34:03 Ice Age Picasso Paradox 35:16 Knowledge and Cognitive Tunnelling 37:59 Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What this episode covers
Where does the scarcity mindset, imposter syndrome, and loss aversion come from? Welcome to a mindset masterclass from history. Learn if the very instincts that kept humanity alive are now keeping you from truly living. For 290,000 years, we survived by playing it safe, following the tribe, and hoarding resources. These weren't character flaws—they were survival strategies in a world where innovation could mean death. The scarcity mindset that once threatened our ancestors' survival now threatens our potential. The tribal conformity that once protected us now prevents breakthrough thinking. The focused attention that once saved lives now creates cognitive tunnels. This episode goes beyond history to recognise the invisible forces shaping your choices and breaking out of survival mode. ------- NEW SHOW - How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8 ------- UPGRADE to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: Do You Think Like a Caveman? Surprising Mindset Lessons From History Chapters: 00:00 GM - 5 Mindset Locks on Innovation 02:58 The Hand Axe Conundrum 04:51 Episode Goals 06:06 #1 - SURVIVAL 06:42 Energy requirements 08:51 Time Scarcity 11:20 Risk and Psychological Safety 13:39 Survival and Scarcity Mindset 16:15 #2 - CULTURE 18:03 Culture in New Guinea 19:02 Results of trying ideas 20:46 The Grandmother Hypothesis 21:43 Widowhood statistics 23:07 Kaulong Tribe Widow killing 24:49 Catalhoyuk - 1000 years of stasis 25:59 Culture, Social Pressure, Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome 28:47 #3 - KNOWLEDGE 30:51 Losing knowledge 32:14 Maths 33:01 Communication and Language 34:03 Ice Age Picasso Paradox 35:16 Knowledge and Cognitive Tunnelling 37:59 Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Do You Think Like a Caveman? Surprising Mindset Lessons From History
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