Shankar Vedantam

Qin Shi Huang did achieve extraordinary things during his lifetime.

He unified China, standardized currency and measures, built roads and canals, and linked fortresses into what became the Great Wall.

but he never found the key to immortality.

He died in 210 BC at the age of 49.

Even in death, he refused to believe death was the end.

His monumental mausoleum, guarded by thousands of terracotta soldiers, was designed to protect him on his journey into the afterlife.

What could cause such desperation, such obsession, such refusal to face the inevitable?

And is it possible that all of us share something in common with the great Chinese emperor?

This is the second part of our exploration into how design thinking can help you lead a more meaningful life.

If you missed the first story, you can find it in our podcast feed or at hiddenbrain.org.

It's the episode titled, Designing a Life That Matters.

How we seek to avoid the truth and the costs of not facing reality, this week on Hidden Brain.

Life isn't easy.

There are times of joy, times of sorrow, and times of uncertainty.

Along the way, we inevitably face setbacks, obstacles, and disappointment.

At Stanford University, Dave Evans says that one way we cope with these challenges is by telling ourselves stories, narratives that help us make sense of what's happening to us.

Dave Evans, welcome to Hidden Brain.

Shankar, good to be with you again.

Dave, you had a friend named Gary.

How did the two of you meet and get to know each other?