Focusing only on the technical, "crunchy, wonky stuff" behind policies or products sometimes misses the humanity at the center of why we're doing the thing in the first place. Because systems -- whether algorithms and artificial intelligence, or capitalism and other such "operating systems" -- need to work for people, not the other way around. Or so observes economist and author Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) -- a public policy think tank focused on free enterprise (and where he recently announced he will be passing on the baton after a decade of leadership). So how does this philosophy of human dignity and human potential apply to automation and jobs, to education, to entrepreneurship? And not just in the "conventional" entrepreneurial sense of building companies and products -- but in changing one's life? The answer, argues Brooks in this quick, hallway-style episode of the a16z Podcast with Sonal Chokshi (recorded in one of our earlier Washington, D.C. roadshows) -- has to be rooted in the philosophy of human meaning. And that involves truly needing each other... so no one is left behind given technological progress and innovation. image credit: Maria Eklind/ Flickr
If you want to hear more about the key to happiness, I recommend you check out my conversation with Dr Robert Waldinger, which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itg00I2q8lk 00:00 Intro 02:13 Are You a Professor of Happiness? 07:28 Is Hope Important to Be Happy? 10:21 Follow the Science to Be Happy 13:05 Personal Responsibility 18:05 Enjoyment, Satisfaction, and Meaning 20:01 Addiction and Temporary Rewards 23:10 How to Turn Pleasure into Happiness 28:32 Diets: How the Process Is More Important Than the End Goal 34:48 What's a Good End Goal for Fitness? 38:13 The Why of Your Life 43:48 Finding Purpose and Link to Unhappiness 50:58 The Power of Meditation 01:00:14 Personality Types 01:04:49 Finding the Right Partner That Compliments You 01:08:21 How Your Brain Works When You’re in Love 01:10:25 Does Being in Love Make Us Happier? 01:12:12 Focusing Less on Yourself Brings You Happiness 01:14:15 Is Happiness or Negativity Contagious? 01:19:31 Are Introverts or Extroverts Happier? 01:21:05 What Is Metacognition and Its Role in Happiness? 01:25:31 Last Guest Question You can purchase Arthur’s most recent book, ‘Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier’, here: https://amzn.to/3SmH5B2 Follow Arthur: Twitter - https://bit.ly/3HnHLje Instagram - https://bit.ly/47CYaeq Get tickets to The Business & Life Speaking Tour: https://stevenbartlett.com/tour/ FOLLOW ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steven/ Twitter: https://x.com/StevenBartlett?s=20 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-bartlett-56986834/ Sponsors: Linkedin Jobs: https://www.linkedin.com/doac Huel Greens: https://my.huel.com/DiaryofaCEOJan24