Derek Thompson

You know, these studies are not well run.

And I've completely stopped that because beliefs are tools, not truths.

And so it's clear to me that there is a huge placebo effect to these treatments.

And who am I to say that the placebo effect is not worth using?

It's great.

Why not?

If it's inexpensive, if it doesn't cause any long-term negative health effects, sure.

Why not?

So I think it's important to realize what...

what motivation is, right?

When we lose confidence, when we lose motivation, what are we talking about?

Motivation, I think I misunderstood what motivation really is about.

I thought motivation is if I want this thing, then I'll do this behavior, right?

So if I want the benefit, I'll do the action.

That's kind of the classic economic view of how motivation works.

And why is motivation so important as a side note?

Because it turns out that's the greatest determinant of success.

That it's not intelligence per se has a factor.

It's not everything.

It's not necessarily even resources.