Introduction
In this episode of the Huberman Lab Podcast, host Andrew Huberman invites Ari Wallach, futurist and adjunct professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Wallach discusses the importance of long-term thinking and how we, as individuals and societies, can shape a future that benefits generations to come. The conversation blends neuroscience, psychology, and social science to tackle some of the most pressing questions about how we live today and how our actions can impact future generations. The tone is reflective and forward-thinking, offering practical solutions to foster empathy and long-term planning.
Key Takeaways
- Mental Time Travel: Humans excel at projecting into the future, using past experiences to imagine and plan for future outcomes.
- Presentism vs. Long-Term Thinking: Modern technology and culture often lock us into short-term thinking, making it harder to plan for the future.
- Transgenerational Empathy: Empathy must extend beyond ourselves to both past and future generations, requiring us to consider the long-term effects of our actions.
- Emotions Drive Future-Oriented Decisions: Connecting emotionally to the future helps motivate actions that will shape it, rather than relying on purely cognitive plans.
- Cathedral Thinking: We must build for a future we may not live to see, much like architects of ancient cathedrals who understood that their work was for future generations.
Key Points
Understanding Mental Time Travel
The conversation begins by exploring the unique human capacity for “mental time travel”—our ability to project ourselves into the future using past experiences as reference points. Wallach explains that this is a defining feature of humanity, one that allows us to set goals, plan for outcomes, and collaborate on building better futures. However, he highlights that this ability is increasingly compromised by modern life’s tendency toward instant gratification and short-term thinking.
Huberman adds a neuroscientific perspective, noting how dopamine-driven reward systems in the brain often favor immediate results over long-term benefits. This is especially relevant in today’s world, where notifications, fast-paced technology, and societal pressures keep people locked into short-term thinking. The challenge, according to Wallach, is to balance this with the need to plan for the long-term, not just for ourselves but for future generations.
The Pitfalls of Presentism
Wallach introduces the concept of "presentism," where society is so focused on the present moment that thinking about the future becomes a secondary concern. He traces this phenomenon back to our evolutionary roots, explaining how our ancestors’ survival depended on immediate responses to threats. However, in today’s world, this constant need to respond to short-term stimuli, like phone notifications, prevents us from thinking about the future in a meaningful way.
Both Wallach and Huberman discuss how this short-term focus has contributed to global issues like climate change and political instability. When people are so absorbed in daily survival or immediate gratification, they lose the ability to consider the long-term impact of their actions. Wallach suggests that this “shortened temporal horizon” is one of the major challenges facing humanity today.
Transgenerational Empathy and Future Planning
A major theme of the episode is Wallach's idea of "transgenerational empathy." He argues that to create a better future, we need to cultivate empathy not only for ourselves and the people around us but also for future generations. This involves thinking beyond our immediate needs and considering how our actions today will affect those who come after us.
Wallach explains that this kind of empathy requires self-compassion first. He shares a personal story about struggling with guilt over not being with his father during his final days, only to realize that he had done the best he could with the emotional tools he had at the time. This self-compassion is the foundation for developing empathy for others, including those in the future.
Emotions as Anchors for Long-Term Decisions
Emotions play a key role in motivating long-term thinking, according to Wallach. He explains that while we often think of decision-making as a purely intellectual process, emotions are what ultimately drive us toward action. By connecting emotionally to the future, we are more likely to take steps today that will lead to a better tomorrow.
Huberman agrees, adding that neuroscience supports this idea. Emotions, he explains, can act as a kind of "anchor," pulling us toward future goals. The conversation touches on how marketing and media often exploit emotions to drive immediate actions, but the same principle can be applied to encourage long-term, future-oriented decisions.
Cathedral Thinking and Building for the Future
One of the most compelling ideas discussed in the episode is "cathedral thinking"—the notion of building something today that will not reach its full potential until long after we are gone. Wallach uses the example of ancient cathedrals, whose architects and builders knew they would never see the completed structure, yet still worked tirelessly for future generations to benefit from their efforts.
This philosophy is critical for addressing global challenges like climate change and technological disruption. Wallach urges listeners to adopt this mindset, focusing on actions that may not bring immediate rewards but will create a lasting impact for future generations. Huberman echoes this sentiment, noting that while short-term rewards are important, true legacy comes from creating something that will endure.
Conclusion
This episode of the Huberman Lab Podcast offers a profound exploration of how we can shift from short-term, reactionary thinking to a more future-oriented mindset. Through long-term planning, transgenerational empathy, and cathedral thinking, Wallach and Huberman advocate for a new way of living that prioritizes the well-being of future generations.
The conversation challenges us to balance our present needs with the long-term impact of our actions. It’s a thought-provoking discussion that urges listeners to think beyond the immediate and start building a future that will benefit not just ourselves, but those who come after us.