Emotions 2.0: What's Better than Being Happy?
Many of us go to great lengths to be happy. But is our singular focus on feeling good actually making us miserable? This week, psychologist Jordi Quoidbach explores what happens when we try to live in an emotional monoculture, and makes a case for letting it all in — the ups ... and the downs.
- Duration
- 59m
- Broadcast on
- 11 Nov 2024
- Audio Format
- other
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Many of us go to great lengths to be happy. But is our singular focus on feeling good actually making us miserable? This week, psychologist Jordi Quoidbach explores what happens when we try to live in an emotional monoculture, and makes a case for letting it all in — the ups ... and the downs.
Be sure to check out the other episodes in our Emotions 2.0 series. And for more of our work on the topic of happiness, here are some other episodes you might enjoy:
You 2.0: Where Happiness Hides
Happiness 2.0: The Path to Contentment
Happiness 2.0: The Reset Button
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This is Hidden Brain, I'm Shankar Vedanta. In 1863, a terrible plague descended on the famed vineyards of France. Tiny, sap-sucking insects attacked the roots and leaves of grapevines. The pests destroyed thousands of acres. What turned a problem into a calamity was that French vineyards were mainly planted with a monoculture. A single species of grape that had little natural resistance to the insect hordes. It turns out that there are other kinds of species, for example, in the US, that were not so affected, that developed natural resistance to that pest, but that was not the case of the French vineyard. This is researcher Jordi Quadba. He said the destruction continued for years and threatened the very existence of the French wine industry. Eventually, though, French winemakers found a solution, adding diversity to the grapevines under cultivation. They started grafting their native vines onto American plants, which had evolved to resist the insects. By increasing the biological variety of the plants, the French wine industry rose again. To me, the takeaway of this story is that by introducing more diversity, you're actually making your environment more resilient and more likely to succeed in the long run. Today, we extend this idea from ecology to the world of psychology. Specifically, we examine the effects of having a variety of emotions in our daily lives. This episode is part of our Emotions 2.0 series. We've previously explored the power of collective emotions, the complicated psychology of pride, and the benefits of mixed emotions. If you missed any of those episodes, please listen to them in this podcast feed. This week on Hidden Brain, many of us go to great lengths to be happy, reading books, devouring podcasts, even joining cults that promise to set us on the path to joy and fulfillment. But is there a singular focus on positive emotions actually good for us? Or does it set us up for calamity? [MUSIC] Support for Hidden Brain comes from Instagram. Instagram teen accounts automatic protections limit who can contact teens, the content they can see, and the time they spend on the app. Teens are automatically placed into teen accounts. Teens under 16 will need a parent's permission to change any of those settings to be less strict. Learn more about teen accounts and Instagram's ongoing work to protect teens online at instagram.com/teenaccounts. Support for Hidden Brain comes from Defender. Even the boldest journey starts small, with a single decision to go somewhere new. The Defender 110 is a vehicle built for those moments for drivers capable of great things, whether they're headed toward uncharted territory or just a weekend away. The Defender 110 combines on-road presence with off-road capability. It looks tough because it is, with an exterior engineered for durability. Inside, capability meets comfort with seating for five and the option for seven plus refined finishes and thoughtful design. It's also packed with intuitive tech, like 3D surround cameras with clear-side ground view to help you navigate rough terrain, and the next-generation PIVI Pro infotainment system designed to keep you informed, connected, and in control, no matter the path. The Defender 110 is naturally capable, expedition ready, and built for those ready to move forward. Explore the Defender 110 at LandRoverUSA.com. Support for Hidden Brain comes from Progressive. Whoever says saving money is hard doesn't know that new customers who bundle and save with Progressive save hundreds. Because switching your home and auto insurance is better than cutting down on those iced lattes you love.
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Many of us go to great lengths to be happy. But is our singular focus on feeling good actually making us miserable? This week, psychologist Jordi Quoidbach explores what happens when we try to live in an emotional monoculture, and makes a case for letting it all in — the ups ... and the downs.