Robert Sapolsky: Are You Actually in Control of Your Life? | Align Podcast #518
Align Podcast
Deep Dive
How long did Dr. Robert Sapolsky spend studying baboons in Africa?
Dr. Sapolsky spent 33 years, or seasons, studying baboons in East Africa, eventually reducing the frequency to every other year when his kids came along.
What is the difference between male and female baboon behavior when a member of their troop is darted?
When a male baboon is darted, other males figure out if they can take credit for the darting. When a female is darted, her female relatives try to rip the car apart, showing a strong familial bond.
Why do lower-ranking baboons exhibit similar stress hormones to depressed humans?
Lower-ranking baboons have elevated cortisol levels, similar to depressed humans, because their brains stop listening to safety signals, leading to a constant state of vigilance and anxiety.
What is the role of social support in managing stress, according to Dr. Sapolsky?
Social support is the most powerful variable in reducing stress. If a person is depressed, they often withdraw and cut themselves off from social support, which can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy of loneliness and further stress.
What is the key takeaway from epigenetic studies on generational trauma?
Epigenetic studies show that early life adversity can have lifelong and multi-generational effects. However, these effects are reversible if intervention occurs early and assertively.
How does Dr. Sapolsky differentiate between acute and chronic stress?
Acute stress is a short-term response to immediate physical emergencies and is adaptive. Chronic stress, which is psychosocial and prolonged, is generally not adaptive and can lead to various health issues.
What is the potential risk of an excessively deterministic view of life?
An excessively deterministic view can lead to nihilism and apathy, where one feels nothing can change and thus sees no point in engaging in life. However, it can also foster great compassion and awareness.
How does Dr. Sapolsky criticize the current judicial system?
Dr. Sapolsky views the current judicial system as intellectually and ethically unsupportable, resembling a burning at the stake justice system. He advocates for a more compassionate, quarantine-based model that focuses on societal safety and root cause analysis.
What is Dr. Sapolsky's stance on pride as a motivator?
Pride can be a valuable instrumental tool for motivation, but it should be used with caution due to the psychological pitfalls of feeling superior and comparing oneself to others.
What is Dr. Sapolsky's personal experience with spirituality and psychedelics?
Dr. Sapolsky stopped believing in God and free will at age 14 and has never taken any drugs, including alcohol, to avoid messing with his neurochemistry. However, he finds the consistent transformative experiences reported by people who use psychedelics intriguing.
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