22 September 2024

How To Be More Hopeful In A Cynical World - Modern Wisdom with Dr Jamil Zaki

Dr Jamil Zaki is a psychologist, a professor at Stanford University, and an author.

In a world filled with fake news, bad news and doom, it’s easy to become cynical. But what does science say about whether cynicism helps or harms us? Why is it so seductive, and how can we all learn to become more hopeful?

Expect to learn why people are so tempted by cynicism, how scepticism is different, if cynical people are more or less happy, healthy, intelligent and successful, whether there is a reason to feel more hopeful, the role of optimism in your life, how to cultivate more positivity and much more…

00:00:00 Why is Cynicism So Alluring?
00:06:10 The Cynicism Safety Blanket
00:15:11 How to Spot a Cynical Person
00:22:05 Is Cynicism Contagious?
00:26:58 Can Someone Be Universally Cynical?
00:30:51 How Cynicism Has Grown Over Time
00:37:09 Does Childhood Impact Cynicism?
00:41:28 Tools to Combat Cynicism 
00:56:05 Why This Was Personal for Jamil
01:03:48 Advice for People Who Want to Take More Risks
01:07:27 Where to Find Jamil