Golden Balls, Human Behavior, and Cognitive Flexibility: Dr Matthew Nagler on PYP 628

In this episode, Matthew Nagler and I discuss a bunch of things, after intending to focus on cognitive flexibility. That's pretty meta...We meander through various behavioral science "greatest hits," including the endowment effect, loss aversion, and altruism. We explore how these phenomena affect human behavior and social dynamics, specifically by looking at a "prisoners' dilemma" type game show, and how one person's "Golden Ball" strategy shocked a nation.Then we roll up our metaphorical sleeves and get serious about cognitive flexibility. We explore the role it plays in personal identity, career changes, and societal issues like gender fluidity. We also tackle thorny ethical questions of how to balance personal and societal concerns, and how to enhance human welfare for all in a world where my ability to change can seem like a direct threat to you. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:04 Exploring the Endowment Effect04:15 Loss Aversion and Decision Making18:49 Cognitive Flexibility and Personal Growth38:58 Entering the Business World39:36 Challenges in the Private Sector41:18 Reflections on Meaningful Work43:28 The Value of Teaching49:14 Cognitive Flexibility and Social Impact53:52 Balancing Personal and Social Responsibilities01:00:17 Game Shows and Human NatureLinksZen and Economics — a Substack by Matthew Nagler Golden Balls - split or steal on YouTubeThe Will of the Many, by James IslingtonCatalog of Terry Pratchett's DiscWorld seriesAffari Toui - Italian version of Deal or No DealMoral Ambition, by Rutger Bregman