David Marchese

But at the same time, I want to hold on to the idea that, you know, the emotionally immature person, they're probably struggling and they're not just boogeymen. Like they too deserve grace. So how do we open up the door to the possibility of change and reconciliation and understanding without compassion?

But at the same time, I want to hold on to the idea that, you know, the emotionally immature person, they're probably struggling and they're not just boogeymen. Like they too deserve grace. So how do we open up the door to the possibility of change and reconciliation and understanding without compassion?

So here's a question that I think would elicit different answers from a philosopher or a scientist or a psychologist. How much can people really change?

So here's a question that I think would elicit different answers from a philosopher or a scientist or a psychologist. How much can people really change?

Oh, I ask your opinion of Dr. Jennifer Melfi in a little bit.

Oh, I ask your opinion of Dr. Jennifer Melfi in a little bit.

When you're... Talking about truth that's really based on relationships between people, is there such a thing as the truth? I mean, even just to use my own example, I have my own, what I think is truthful understanding of my relationship with my biological father and why it was the way it was and how it affected me as an adult. I think he has his own interpretation that is true for him.

When you're... Talking about truth that's really based on relationships between people, is there such a thing as the truth? I mean, even just to use my own example, I have my own, what I think is truthful understanding of my relationship with my biological father and why it was the way it was and how it affected me as an adult. I think he has his own interpretation that is true for him.

So what does truth mean in your context?

So what does truth mean in your context?

Well, it doesn't even have to be that extreme. The truth could be, what if I've come up with something that is most palatable and easiest for me?

Well, it doesn't even have to be that extreme. The truth could be, what if I've come up with something that is most palatable and easiest for me?

I had asked also about the problem of happiness. Your reply was sort of in terms of childhood and how children's default mode is happy. They're sort of wired for happiness. I was wondering if... that actually might be a kind of idealization of childhood and if there might be any pitfalls to that.

I had asked also about the problem of happiness. Your reply was sort of in terms of childhood and how children's default mode is happy. They're sort of wired for happiness. I was wondering if... that actually might be a kind of idealization of childhood and if there might be any pitfalls to that.

Because, you know, I have two little kids and I take them to the playground and I sit and they go play. And if I scan the playground, you see anger, you see fear, you see conflict, in addition to the happy feelings. And I couldn't help but wonder if, like, our expectation when we think about childhood is one of...

Because, you know, I have two little kids and I take them to the playground and I sit and they go play. And if I scan the playground, you see anger, you see fear, you see conflict, in addition to the happy feelings. And I couldn't help but wonder if, like, our expectation when we think about childhood is one of...

sort of where happiness is the default, might that lead as adults to feelings of disappointment when we think retrospectively about what childhood is, given that, of course, childhood is not all about happiness.

sort of where happiness is the default, might that lead as adults to feelings of disappointment when we think retrospectively about what childhood is, given that, of course, childhood is not all about happiness.

Yep. Sounds familiar.

Yep. Sounds familiar.