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 Welcome 01:04 Exploring the Endowment Effect 04:15 Loss Aversion and Decision Making 18:49 Cognitive Flexibility and Personal Growth 38:58 Entering the Business World 39:36 Challenges in the Private Sector 41:18 Reflections on Meaningful Work 43:28 The Value of Teaching 49:14 Cognitive Flexibility and Social Impact 53:52 Balancing Personal and Social Responsibilities 01:00:17 Game Shows and Human NatureLinks Zen and Economics — a Substack by Matthew Nagler  Golden Balls - split or steal on YouTube The Will of the Many, by James Islington Catalog of Terry Pratchett's DiscWorld series Affari Toui - Italian version of Deal or No Deal Moral Ambition, by Rutger Bregman