#755 - Dr Phil - What Happened To The Education System?

For years, we’ve been taught the same formula for success: Start practicing as soon as possible, and don’t stop until you’re the best in the world. If you haven’t already been training, there’s no point in starting now—you’re too far behind. However, luckily for us, this formula for success is a myth. The true path to excellence is far more flexible.

David Epstein is a former writer for Sports Illustrated who has built his career writing about the science behind athleticism. In Range, Epstein makes the case for generalism: a broad competence in many areas rather than the extreme mastery of one. Not only does cultivating range free you to pursue more of your interests, it entails professional advantages you never could have predicted.

In this guide, we’ll trace Epstein’s ideas to the books and thinkers that inspired him and take a closer look at the studies he cites, including intriguing details that he chose to leave out.

Many successful leaders and businesspeople are lauded as “great geniuses,” but psychologist Angela Duckworth argues that talent and intelligence matter less to success than grit: the personality trait behind perseverance, hard work, and goal-setting. In Grit, she explores what grit is, where it comes from, how it drives success, and how you can develop it.

Duckworth is primarily interested in how to raise gritty kids, and her insights have inspired parents and educators around the globe since the book’s publication in 2016. However, she believes that adults, too, can develop grit, and she lays out specific, measurable ways to do so.

Her work has fueled debates about which matters more—talent or effort. In this guide, we examine these controversies and consider insights from other psychologists who either support Duckworth’s ideas or reveal nuances of them.

Do you constantly get swept away by your emotions? Would you like to learn how to control your emotional reactions at home or at work? Or maybe you’re uncomfortable with emotions, and don’t understand why you or anyone else feels them? Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman is a comprehensive look at what emotions are and why we have them, how we can get better at managing them, and why the well-being of humanity might depend on us doing so.

We live in an age where sophisticated technologies are increasingly pervasive. User interfaces are so intuitive that we don’t need a manual to figure out how every mobile application works—but what is it about specific technologies that allows them to integrate seamlessly into our day-to-day lives, and how did user-friendliness become the bedrock of innovation?

In User Friendly, user experience designers Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant explore the evolution of user-friendly design—how the concept emerged from the feminist movement in the 1920s, how it has morphed into the often addictive forms of technology that we have today, and how it might be leveraged to improve human well-being in the future. The authors argue that we must shift how companies apply user-friendly design principles to ensure that technology reflects the values of consumers—and doesn’t just keep people glued to screens to their own detriment. In this guide, we’ll also incorporate research showing how technology impacts the social fabric of society as well as advice on mitigating technology’s harmful effects.

Immerse yourself in a thought-provoking conversation about freedom of speech, censorship, and the impact of cancel culture on society in an episode of the Lex Fridman Podcast. The dialogue between Greg Lukianoff, a First Amendment specialist and Lex Fridman, uncovers the complex challenges surrounding these issues, further highlighting the significance of fostering understanding and congenial discourse amid divergent viewpoints. From exploring the organizational commitments towards freedom of speech to the consequences of viewpoint discrimination, tune in for an engaging exchange that delves into the core of our societal fabric.

This enlightening discourse also scrutinizes the role of digital media in shaping contemporary perspectives. It dissects the challenges of living in the digital age and its impact on mental health, personal growth, and the potential dangers of silencing opposite views. Lukianoff and Fridman also discuss the current issues in the academic and education sector, while reflecting on personal experiences and the implications on mental health. This episode brings to light the critical issues that are often overlooked in our rapidly evolving society.

Dive into "The Daily" with Michael Barbaro, Natasha Singer, and Frances Haugen as they tackle the controversial topic of social media's influence on youth, drawing stark comparisons to the legal challenges once aimed at the tobacco industry. This episode examines how state officials are following in the footsteps of those who curbed tobacco's reach—the same tactics now repurposed to protect young minds from the potential psychological harms of platforms like Meta's Instagram. The speakers unpack the cultural and mental health implications, especially surrounding the planned, yet controversial, Instagram for Kids and the damning insights from whistleblower Frances Haugen.

As the conversation unfolds, the speakers probe Meta's intricate design features that may encourage addictive behavior, such as endless scrolling and instantaneous notifications. They delve into the consequences these features have on young users, from fostering an addictive digital environment to exacerbating mental health issues through idealized digital beauty standards. While Meta defends its intentions—touting new user safety measures and disputing the claims against it—the podcast highlights the struggle to regulate the tech giant, touching upon the broader challenges in holding social media platforms accountable and the industry-wide push for change. This episode is a thought-provoking exploration of the high-stakes tug-of-war between technological innovation, commercial success, and the well-being of our most vulnerable users.

Join the hosts of the 'Last Podcast On The Left'—Marcus Parks, Ben Kissel, and Henry Zebrowski—as they dig deep into the nuts and bolts of historical storytelling with guest Dan Carlin from the acclaimed "Hardcore History" series. This episode peels back the layers on the art and complexity of narrating the past: from the necessity of context for comprehension to the craft of creating enthralling historical narratives with philosophical depth. Carlin shares his intricate process for evaluating the reliability of sources and intertwines this discussion with his personal experiences, including his initial reservations about podcasting and his transformation into a pioneering figure in digital history-telling.

The conversation doesn't shy away from speculative and lighter topics, either. Dan, alongside the show's notable personalities, indulges listeners in 'what-if' scenarios about figures such as Rasputin, interjects humor into the serious business of history, and even ventures into cosmic speculation about extraterrestrial life. In a tribute to Carlin's commitment to his craft, the episode wraps up by guiding listeners on how to delve even deeper into the "Hardcore History" archives, integrating support for sustaining passionate content creation. The pairing of the Last Podcast Network’s irreverent charm and Carlin’s expertise promises a fascinating blend of insight, education, and entertainment.

Join Rachel Maddow and Isaac-Davy Aronson as they embark on a thought-provoking exploration of history's recurring themes in contemporary times with the podcast "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News." In a world where events often feel unprecedented, Maddow challenges listeners to delve deeper into the patterns of the past to better understand and navigate the realities of today. By drawing connections between what once was and what is now, this duo offers a fresh lens through which to view the current landscape, suggesting that history may not be as bygone as we think, but rather a map to what's ahead.

From their early days in radio to the dynamic world of podcast television, Maddow and Aronson bring two decades of rich media collaboration to the table, sharing stories that blend the wisdom of the past with the vigor of the present. The podcast touches on poignant issues like voter suppression and the resilience of liberal democracy, offering insights from those who have witnessed history firsthand, and adding a sense of depth to the phrase "Oh no, not again." By using the art of audio storytelling to document these cyclical challenges, "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News" invites listeners to subscribe and tune in starting June 12th, building upon the success of previous hits and promising a journey through the echoes of time.

The 1619 Project is an anthology of essays edited by Nikole Hannah-Jones and co-created with the New York Times that seeks to reframe American history with the institution of slavery at its core. The book asserts that American history began in 1619 with the arrival of the first ship of enslaved Africans, one year before the Mayflower arrived. It also argues that, American democracy and the prosperous nation we know today were largely built by enslaved Black Americans but that this demographic is almost entirely excluded from America’s founding stories and remains suppressed today due to racist institutions that persist from slavery.

This guide will reframe America’s founding story by exploring how the institution of slavery has impacted our economy, laws, society, and the livelihoods of Black Americans. We’ll conclude by discussing Hannah-Jones’s recommendations for how the government can make reparations for these injustices. Throughout the guide, we’ll provide a broader perspective by discussing accounts from other historians, economists, and researchers.

Embark on a journey to master your unique purpose with the latest Huberman Lab Podcast, featuring the renowned author Robert Greene. In a fascinating dialogue, Greene unfolds the blueprint to achieving personal mastery as outlined in his book "Mastery." Together with host Andrew Huberman, they delve deep into what it means to identify and pursue a life calling, casting a light on the profound impact early passions have on an individual's success and the necessity of an emotional connection to our professional endeavors.

However, pathfinding your purpose in today's distracted world is not without its challenges. Greene and Huberman navigate the complexities of modern distractions, including social media, and dissect the contemporary quagmire of gender roles and identity. The episode is rich with insights on mentorship’s influence, the art of active thought, cultivating depth in relationships, and understanding the transformative effects of adversity. This enlightening conversation is not just a guide to personal fulfillment; it's an invitation to redefine one's journey amidst societal expectations and to engage with a community dedicated to knowledge and growth.

In The Daily Laws, Robert Greene argues that we lead our lives guided by false beliefs: We believe that chasing money will make us happy, that others always have our best interests at heart, and that our flaws are smaller than other peoples’, among other things. However, because these beliefs aren’t based in reality, they leave us unhappy and unfulfilled. To stop being led astray and made miserable by these false beliefs, Greene writes that we must become more attuned to reality—to the ways the world actually works and how people actually behave. He provides a lesson for each day of the year on how to reconnect with reality and thus become happier and more fulfilled.

The Daily Laws is a compilation of core maxims from five of his other books, including The 48 Laws of Power and The Laws of Human Nature. Throughout the guide, we’ll compare Greene’s insights with those found in other books, such as Scott Young’s Ultralearning and Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, and provide actionable suggestions on how you can apply his lessons to your life.

Shooting selfies on vacation. Posting Facebook updates on our kid's graduation from pre-school. Garnering awards and promotions to add to our LinkedIn profiles. Guess what, America? We've become self-obsessed. In David Brooks’s The Road to Character, the New York Times columnist suggests we take a good hard look at ourselves and remember that we weren't always so narcissistic.

Brooks outlines the moral shift that took place after World War II when we transitioned from honoring humility, self-discipline, and public service to worshiping at the altar of "the Big Me." He also reminds us that our current self-focus isn't even making us happy. To help us recalibrate our moral compasses, Brooks details the lives of war heroes, civil rights activists, advocates for the poor, writers, and deep thinkers who've tackled the work of building moral character, then outlines a 15-point plan to help us live more virtuous—and ultimately happier—lives.