Dr. Jamil Zaki

I mean, I think we, again, have this stereotype that cynics would be super moral, that they'd be radicals who would push for change. But in fact, cynics vote less often. They take part in social movements less often. They even vote more when they do vote for strong man leaders who will protect them from the selfish folks who are all around.

I mean, I think we, again, have this stereotype that cynics would be super moral, that they'd be radicals who would push for change. But in fact, cynics vote less often. They take part in social movements less often. They even vote more when they do vote for strong man leaders who will protect them from the selfish folks who are all around.

I mean, I think we, again, have this stereotype that cynics would be super moral, that they'd be radicals who would push for change. But in fact, cynics vote less often. They take part in social movements less often. They even vote more when they do vote for strong man leaders who will protect them from the selfish folks who are all around.

And I think that skeptics, by contrast, have the courage of uncertainty. And when I say, Amanda, that they think like scientists, that's sort of what I mean. You know, as a scientist, one of my favorite things is not knowing how an experiment will turn out. I find it delightful to live in uncertainty and then discover something, usually discover that I'm wrong at least two thirds of the time.

And I think that skeptics, by contrast, have the courage of uncertainty. And when I say, Amanda, that they think like scientists, that's sort of what I mean. You know, as a scientist, one of my favorite things is not knowing how an experiment will turn out. I find it delightful to live in uncertainty and then discover something, usually discover that I'm wrong at least two thirds of the time.

And I think that skeptics, by contrast, have the courage of uncertainty. And when I say, Amanda, that they think like scientists, that's sort of what I mean. You know, as a scientist, one of my favorite things is not knowing how an experiment will turn out. I find it delightful to live in uncertainty and then discover something, usually discover that I'm wrong at least two thirds of the time.

But I think that one of the things that is hardest in, at least for me in life, is to accept uncertainty. I think it really takes a lot of courage and presence and humility to know what we don't know. When things turn out badly in the world, when there's some horrible event that occurs, it almost feels like a knee-jerk reaction to say, aha, I knew this would happen.

But I think that one of the things that is hardest in, at least for me in life, is to accept uncertainty. I think it really takes a lot of courage and presence and humility to know what we don't know. When things turn out badly in the world, when there's some horrible event that occurs, it almost feels like a knee-jerk reaction to say, aha, I knew this would happen.

But I think that one of the things that is hardest in, at least for me in life, is to accept uncertainty. I think it really takes a lot of courage and presence and humility to know what we don't know. When things turn out badly in the world, when there's some horrible event that occurs, it almost feels like a knee-jerk reaction to say, aha, I knew this would happen.

This is the way that people are. This is all that we have to give. And that can give you a sense of control, again, in a world where you feel like you can't control anything. But that control comes at a cost. It comes at the cost of recognizing so much human beauty and continuing a struggle for progress and change.

This is the way that people are. This is all that we have to give. And that can give you a sense of control, again, in a world where you feel like you can't control anything. But that control comes at a cost. It comes at the cost of recognizing so much human beauty and continuing a struggle for progress and change.

This is the way that people are. This is all that we have to give. And that can give you a sense of control, again, in a world where you feel like you can't control anything. But that control comes at a cost. It comes at the cost of recognizing so much human beauty and continuing a struggle for progress and change.

Yeah, it's a great question. Optimists certainly health-wise do better than cynics. In fact, if you just look at a correlation between optimism and a bunch of health outcomes, it's mostly positive. But there's a couple of caveats to that. One, optimism is less health positive if you are facing adversity, right?

Yeah, it's a great question. Optimists certainly health-wise do better than cynics. In fact, if you just look at a correlation between optimism and a bunch of health outcomes, it's mostly positive. But there's a couple of caveats to that. One, optimism is less health positive if you are facing adversity, right?

Yeah, it's a great question. Optimists certainly health-wise do better than cynics. In fact, if you just look at a correlation between optimism and a bunch of health outcomes, it's mostly positive. But there's a couple of caveats to that. One, optimism is less health positive if you are facing adversity, right?

So, so long as things are going well, optimism is- You're like, this wasn't what it was supposed to be.

So, so long as things are going well, optimism is- You're like, this wasn't what it was supposed to be.

So, so long as things are going well, optimism is- You're like, this wasn't what it was supposed to be.

I was promised that I would have a jet pack by now. Where's my jet pack, right? So absolutely, optimism is a- Health positive experience, but can be a fragile one, if that makes sense. It can be shattered pretty easily. And second, optimists tend to strive less than hopeful people, for instance.

I was promised that I would have a jet pack by now. Where's my jet pack, right? So absolutely, optimism is a- Health positive experience, but can be a fragile one, if that makes sense. It can be shattered pretty easily. And second, optimists tend to strive less than hopeful people, for instance.