No Stupid Questions

How can you strive for excellence without overworking yourself? Why is perfectionism on the rise? And is Angela part of the problem?

• SOURCES:
  • Kristin Andrus, philanthropist.
  • Aaron (Tim) Beck, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Thomas Curran, professor of psychological and behavioral science at the London School of Economics.
  • Julia DiGangi, neuropsychologist.
  • Zac Efron, actor.
  • Scott Hugo, housing justice attorney at Oakland City Attorney's Office.

• RESOURCES:
  • "For Happiness in the New Year, Stop Overdoing Everything," by Julia DiGangi (The Wall Street Journal, 2023).
  • "Good Enough," by Thomas Curran (Character Lab, 2023).
  • The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough, by Thomas Curran (2023).
  • "Perfectionism Is Not the Secret to Success (and Pursuing It May Guarantee the Opposite)," by Next Big Idea Club (Fast Company, 2023).
  • "Zac Efron Rides Again," by Lauren Larson (Men's Health, 2022).
  • "Tim Beck’s Final Brainstorms," by Stephen Fried (The Philadelphia Gazette, 2022).
  • "Perfectionism Is Increasing Over Time: A Meta-Analysis of Birth Cohort Differences From 1989 to 2016," by Thomas Curran and Andrew P. Hill (Psychological Bulletin, 2019).
  • "UCLA Senior From Alamo Among 32 Rhodes Scholars," by Steve Rubenstein (SFGate, 2008).

• EXTRAS:
  • "What Does Success Look Like?" by No Stupid Questions (2024).
  • "Is Perfectionism Ruining Your Life?" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023).
  • "Are You Suffering From Burnout?" by No Stupid Questions (2023).
  • Happy Days, TV series (1974-1984).
  • The Period Project.

Does anyone have any real agency? What do McDonald’s and Oxford University have in common? And why did Angela give up on philosophy?

• SOURCES
  • Sam Harris, neuroscientist, philosopher, author, and podcast host.
  • Brian Galla, associate professor of health and human development at University of Pittsburgh.
  • Robert Sapolsky, professor of biology at Stanford University.
  • Harry Emerson Fosdick, founding minister of Riverside Church in New York City.
  • Martin E. P. Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Brian Kershisnik, American painter.
  • Plato, ancient Greek philosopher.

• RESOURCES
  • Free Will, by Sam Harris (2012).
  • Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will, by Robert Sapolsky (2023).
  • “Free Will Beliefs Predict Attitudes Toward Unethical Behavior and Criminal Punishment,” by Nathan D. Martin, Davide Rigoni, and Kathleen D. Vohs (PNAS, 2017).
  • “Learned Helplessness: Theory and Evidence,” by Steven F. Maier and Martin E. P. Seligman (Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1976).
  • “Failure to Escape Traumatic Shock,” by Martin E. P. Seligman and Steven F. Maier (Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1967).

• EXTRAS
  • “Final Thoughts on Free Will” by Making Sense with Sam Harris (2021).
  • “Sam Harris: ‘Spirituality is a Loaded Term’” by People I Mostly Admire (2021).

Should you shout your sins from the rooftops? How many skeletons are in the average person’s closet? And what has Angela been hiding?

• SOURCES:
  • Maya Angelou, memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist.
  • Stephen Baum, postdoctoral researcher at Olin Business School at Washington University.
  • Clayton Critcher, professor of marketing, cognitive science, and psychology at Berkeley Haas School of Business.
  • John Legend, singer-songwriter and pianist.
  • Kareem Abdul Jabbar, former professional basketball player.
  • Michael Slepian, professor of leadership and ethics at Columbia Business School.
  • Jason Sudeikis, actor, writer, and producer.
  • Chrissy Teigen, model and TV personality.
  • Vauhini Vara, journalist and author.
  • Lindsey Vonn, alpine ski racer.
  • John Wooden, men’s basketball coach at the University of California, Los Angeles.

• RESOURCES:
  • "The Bright Side of Secrecy: The Energizing Effect of Positive Secrets," by Michael Slepian, Katharine Greenaway, Nicholas Camp, and Adam Galinsky (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2023).
  • "Ghosts," by Vauhini Vara (The Believer, 2021).
  • "The Costs of Not Disclosing," by Stephen Baum and Clayton Critcher (Current Opinion in Psychology, 2020).
  • "Why the Secrets You Keep Are Hurting You," by Michael Slepian (Scientific American, 2019).
  • "The Benefits and Burdens of Keeping Others' Secrets," by Michael Slepian and Katharine Greenaway (Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 2018).
  • "The Experience of Secrecy," by Michael Slepian, Jinseok Chun, and Malia Mason (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2017).
  • Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court, by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2017).
  • "Survey Says 1 In 5 People Are Keeping A Major Secret From Their Spouse," by Taryn Hillin (HuffPost, 2014).

• EXTRAS:
  • Ted Lasso, TV show (2020-2023).
  • "All of Me," song by John Legend (2013).

Do you really deserve the credit for your accomplishments? Should college admissions be determined by lottery? And how did Mike’s contribution to a charity auction change his life?

• SOURCES:
  • Warren Buffett, investor and philanthropist.
  • James Flynn, political philosopher at the University of Otago.
  • Robert Frank, professor emeritus of management at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
  • Rogé Karma, staff writer at The Atlantic.
  • Nicholas Lemann, professor of journalism and dean emeritus at Columbia Journalism School.
  • Daniel Markovits, professor of law at Yale Law School.
  • Charles Munger, investor and philanthropist.
  • John Rawls, 20th-century legal and political philosopher.
  • Guy Raz, creator and host of How I Built This and Wisdom from the Top; founder and C.E.O. of Built-It Productions.
  • Michael Sandel, professor of government at Harvard University.
  • Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Ryan Smith, founder and executive chairman of Qualtrics; owner of the Utah Jazz.

• RESOURCES:
  • The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good? by Michael Sandel (2020).
  • The Meritocracy Trap: How America's Foundational Myth Feeds Inequality, Dismantles the Middle Class, and Devours the Elite, by Daniel Markovits (2019).
  • "'The Meritocracy Trap,' Explained," by Rogé Karma (Vox, 2019).
  • "Reflections About Intelligence Over 40 Years," by James Flynn (Intelligence, 2018).
  • "Here’s Why Warren Buffett Says That He and Charlie Munger Are Successful," by Emmie Martin (CNBC, 2018).
  • Success and Luck: Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy, by Robert Frank (2016).
  • The Lottery, film by Madeleine Sackler (2010).
  • The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy, by Nicholas Lemann (1999).
  • “The Psychology of Human Misjudgment,” speech by Charles Munger (1995).

• EXTRAS:
  • "What’s the Point of I.Q. Testing?" by No Stupid Questions (2023).
  • "What’s So Bad About Nepotism?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).

Where does sentimental value come from? Why did Angela throw out her childhood journals? And would Mike wear Hitler’s sweater?

• SOURCES:
  • Jeffrey Galak, professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University.
  • John Irving, author.
  • Marie Kondo, professional organizer and consultant.
  • Paul Rozin, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Yang Yang, research scientist at the Institute of Behavioral Research at Texas Christian University.

• RESOURCES:
  • "Experiences Endure," by Angela Duckworth (Character Lab, 2022).
  • "Study Finds That THESE Are the Most Valued Family Heirlooms," by SWNS Staff (SWNS, 2021).
  • "Micro Wave: How 'Bout Dem Apple...Seeds," by Thomas Lu, Madeline K. Sofia, and Brit Hanson (Short Wave, 2021).
  • "Sentimental Value and Its Influence on Hedonic Adaptation," by Yang Yang and Jeffrey Galak (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2015)
  • The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondo (2010).
  • "A Real-Life Version of the Hitler’s Sweater Experiment," by David Berreby (Big Think, 2010).
  • "The Makings of the Magical Mind: The Nature and Function of Sympathetic Magical Thinking," by Carol Nemeroff and Paul Rozin (Imagining the Impossible: Magical, Scientific, and Religious Thinking in Children, 2000).
  • "Operation of the Laws of Sympathetic Magic in Disgust and Other Domains," by Paul Rozin, Linda Millman, and Carol Nemeroff (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1986).

• EXTRAS:
  • "How Do You Connect With Someone You Just Met?" by No Stupid Questions (2023).
  • "Do You Savor or Gobble?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).
  • "Why Do We Hoard?" by No Stupid Questions (2020).
  • The Twilight Saga, by Stephanie Meyer (2005-2020).
  • A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving (1989).

Is there any scientific basis for the law of attraction? Are people who believe in “cosmic collaboration” more successful? And what happens when you write yourself a check for $10 million?

• SOURCES:
  • Rhonda Byrne, writer and TV producer.
  • Jim Carrey, actor.
  • Christopher Clarey, sports journalist and author.
  • Peter Gollwitzer, professor of psychology at New York University.
  • Dave Levin, co-founder and executive director of KIPP Public Charter Schools.
  • Gabriele Oettingen, professor of psychology at New York University.
  • Wallace Wattles, self-help writer.

• RESOURCES:
  • "'The Secret' to Success? The Psychology of Belief in Manifestation," by Lucas J. Dixon, Matthew J. Hornsey, and Nicole Hartley (Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2023).
  • "Making Dreams Come True: Inside the New Age World of Manifesting," by Stuart McGurk (The Guardian, 2022).
  • "TikTok's ‘Manifesting’ Craze, Explained," by Stuart McGurk (GQ, 2021).
  • "From Feeling Good to Doing Good," by Gabriele Oettingen and Peter M. Gollwitzer (The Oxford Handbook of Positive Emotion and Psychopathology, 2019).
  • "Self-Regulation of Time Management: Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions," by Gabriele Oettingen, Heather Barry Kappes, Katie B. Guttenberg, and Peter M. Gollwitzer (European Journal of Social Psychology, 2015).
  • "Olympians Use Imagery as Mental Training," by Christopher Clarey (The New York Times, 2014).
  • “Self-Fulfilling Prophecy,” by R. Rosenthal (Encyclopedia of Human Behavior - Second Edition, 2012).
  • The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne (2006).
  • The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace Wattles (1910)

Are modern parents too protective? Why do we worry so much about things that almost never happen? And how did Mike learn about bus stops?

• SOURCES:
  • David Bjorklund, professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University.
  • Peter Gray, professor of psychology at Boston College.
  • David Lancy, professor emeritus of anthropology at Utah State University.
  • Lenore Skenazy, president of Let Grow and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement.

• RESOURCES:
  • "Decline in Independent Activity as a Cause of Decline in Children’s Mental Well-being: Summary of the Evidence," by Peter Gray, David Lancy, and David Bjorklund (The Journal of Pediatrics, 2023).
  • "Parental Intrusive Homework Support and Math Achievement: Does the Child's Mindset Matter?" by Daeun Park, Elizabeth Gunderson, Erin Maloney, Eli Tsukayama, Sian Beilock, Angela Duckworth, and Susan Levine (Developmental Psychology, 2023).
  • "Children Today Have Less Independence. Is That Fueling a Mental Health Crisis?" by Caitlin Gibson (The Washington Post, 2023).
  • "Yes, the ‘Old Enough!’ Kids Really Think the Camera Crew Are ‘Electricians’," by Charlotte Walsh (Tudum by Netflix, 2022).
  • "Kidnapped Children Make Headlines, but Abduction Is Rare in U.S.," by Jonathan Allen (Reuters, 2019).
  • "Utah’s ‘Free-Range Parenting’ Law Said to Be First in the Nation," by Meagan Flynn (The Washington Post, 2018).
  • "Mother Who Left Baby Outside New York Restaurant in 1997 Says Arrest Was Unjust," (The Guardian, 2017).
  • "Children’s Independent Mobility: An International Comparison and Recommendations for Action," by Ben Shaw, Martha Bicket, Bridget Elliott, Ben Fagan-Watson, and Elisabetta Mocca (Policy Studies Institute, 2015).
  • "I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone. I Got Labeled the ‘World’s Worst Mom,’" by Lenore Skenazy (The Washington Post, 2015).
  • "Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone," by Lenore Skenazy (The New York Sun, 2008).

• EXTRAS:
  • "Should You Give Kids an Allowance or Make Them Get Jobs?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).
  • Old Enough!

What matters more: meeting our own ambitions, or winning fame and glory? What’s it like to earn a gold medal at the Olympics? And why didn’t Mike’s grandfather get a watch?

• SOURCES:
  • Alain de Botton, writer and founder of The School of Life.
  • Kirk Flatow, head coach of co-ed varsity track and field at Monta Vista High School.
  • Katie Ledecky, competitive swimmer.
  • Diana Nyad, long-distance swimmer.
  • Michael Phelps, former competitive swimmer.
  • Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Kerri Walsh Jennings, professional beach volleyball player.
  • John Wooden, men's basketball coach at the University of California, Los Angeles.

• RESOURCES:
  • "Why Success Doesn’t Lead to Satisfaction," by Ron Carucci (Harvard Business Review, 2023).
  • "Katie Ledecky Matches Michael Phelps Record With Dominant World Championships Win," by Patrick Andres (Sports Illustrated, 2023).
  • Success Index, by Populace and Gallup (2019).
  • "PERMA and the Building Blocks of Well-Being," by Martin Seligman (The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2018).
  • "Michael Phelps: ‘I Am Extremely Thankful That I Did Not Take My Life,’" by Susan Scutti (CNN, 2018).
  • "The PERMA-Profiler: A Brief Multidimensional Measure of Flourishing," by Julie Butler and Margaret L. Kern (International Journal of Wellbeing, 2016).
  • "Diana Nyad: Dream Accomplished," by Michel Martin (Tell Me More, 2013).
  • "A Kinder, Gentler Philosophy of Success," by Alain de Botton (TEDGlobal, 2009).
  • "The Difference Between Winning and Succeeding," by John Wooden (TED, 2001).

• EXTRAS:
  • "Where Is the Line Between Exaggeration and Lying?" by No Stupid Questions (2023).
  • "Is a 'Success Hangover' Real?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).

Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy?

• SOURCES:
  • Albert Bandura, professor emeritus of psychology at Stanford University.
  • John Bargh, professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University.
  • Tanya Chartrand, professor of marketing at Duke University.
  • Clay Cockrell, psychotherapist and founder of Walk and Talk Therapy.
  • Iain Couzin, director of the department of collective behavior at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior.
  • William Irvine, professor of philosophy at Wright State University.
  • Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology at Princeton University.
  • Stephen Kosslyn, professor emeritus of psychology at Harvard University.
  • Cristine Legare, professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.
  • Kevin Ochsner, professor of psychology at Columbia University.
  • Amos Tversky, professor of psychology at Stanford University.

• RESOURCES:
  • "How to Escape the Hedonic Treadmill and Be Happier," by Anna Katharina Schaffner (Positive Psychology, 2016).
  • “Revealing the Hidden Networks of Interaction in Mobile Animal Groups Allows Prediction of Complex Behavioral Contagion,” by Sara Brin Rosenthal, Colin R. Twomey, Andrew T. Hartnett, Hai Shan Wu, and Iain Couzin (PNAS, 2015).
  • “A Calm Look at the Most Hyped Concept in Neuroscience — Mirror Neurons,” by Christian Jarrett (WIRED, 2013).
  • “The Chameleon Effect: The Perception–Behavior Link and Social Interaction,” by Tanya Chartrand and John Bargh (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1999).
  • “Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision Under Risk,” by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky (The Econometric Society, 1979).
  • “Transmission of Aggression Through Imitation of Aggressive Models,” by Albert Bandura, Dorothea Ross, and Sheila A. Ross (Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1961).

• EXTRAS:
  • "Why Are Rich Countries So Unhappy?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).
  • "Do You Mind if I Borrow Your Personality?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).
  • “Episode 2: The Unhappy Millionaire,” by The Happiness Lab (2019).
  • The Happiness Lab.

Why do we get overwhelmed when we have too many choices? Should we make our own decisions or copy other people's? And how can Angela manage her sock inventory?

• SOURCES:
  • Arie Kruglanski, professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park.
  • Katy Milkman, professor of operations, information, and decisions at the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Sylvia Plath, 20th-century American novelist and poet.
  • Barry Schwartz, professor of social theory and social action at Swarthmore College.
  • Herbert Simon, professor of computer science and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University.
  • Will Smith, actor and film producer.

• RESOURCES:
  • "Choice Deprivation, Choice Overload, and Satisfaction with Choices Across Six Nations," by Elena Reutskaja, Nathan N. Cheek, Barry Schwartz, et al. (Journal of International Marketing, 2021).
  • Will, by Will Smith with Mark Manson (2021).
  • "Can’t Decide What to Stream? Netflix’s New Feature Will Choose for You," by Katie Deighton (The Wall Street Journal, 2021).
  • The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less, by Barry Schwartz (2004).
  • "The Tyranny of Choice," by Barry Schwartz (Scientific American, 2004).
  • "Maximizing Versus Satisficing: Happiness Is a Matter of Choice," by Barry Schwartz, Andrew Ward, John Monterosso, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Katherine White, and Darrin R. Lehman (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2002).
  • "Self-Determination: The Tyranny of Freedom," by Barry Schwartz (American Psychologist, 2000).
  • "To 'Do the Right Thing' or to 'Just Do It': Locomotion and Assessment as Distinct Self-Regulatory Imperatives," by Arie Kruglanski, Erik P. Thompson, E. Tory Higgins, M. Nadir Atash, Antonio Pierro, James Y. Shah, and Scott Spiegel (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2000).
  • "Rational Choice and the Structure of the Environment," by Herbert Simon (Psychological Review, 1956).
  • Administrative Behavior, by Herbert Simon (1947).

• EXTRA:
  • "Do You Mind if I Borrow Your Personality?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).
  • "How Much Should We Be Able to Customize Our World?" by No Stupid Questions (2021).
  • "Are You a Maximizer or a Satisficer?" by No Stupid Questions (2020).
  • Cars.com Superbowl Ad (2009).