Crash Course: A daring escape from cynicism: Scientist explains why “hopeful skeptics” are outsmarting doomers

A new book from a Stanford neuroscientist aims to prove that cynicism blinds us as badly as rose-colored glasses Your daily update from [Salon](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvYnh2dmhpcTY5Mi8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~). ~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvZno3ems1emR2OC8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvbnVoZGpuYjlldS8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvYmtvam1zNDdqZS8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsva2lsbG1uamszeC8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvd2psMGdwbGJ1cC8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~ Donald Trump, Honest Abe and Joe Biden: Which of these things is not like the others? From Kirk Swearingen: Donald Trump appears pathologically unable [to express sorrow or empathy](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvdDdwZWtpMmdqby8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~), even at the deaths of those closest to him. He[ reportedly went to a movie](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvb285MTg2bGtlZy8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) while his older brother, Fred, was dying in a hospital. He chose to bury his first wife, Ivana, behind the first tee at his New Jersey golf course, [possibly as a tax dodge](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvM3lkOGt5ejBtMS8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~). Whatever his flaws, Joe Biden is soft-spoken, humble, thoughtful, generous, profoundly decent and good-humored, qualities he shares with Lincoln, whose character was forged in poverty, struggle, grief and solitary study. He too was known for his humor, often considered a clear sign of intelligence. [Read more](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvOWp4dngzY3gzeC8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~). ~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvZGxlazFrdngwcS8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvdmR3d3RzYnlibS8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvb2Z4dHNqODdyaS8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvY3hhb2FibW54bC8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~ Vibes matter: Trump can hardly restrain his jealousy over the Harris campaign's joy From Sabrina Haake: The contrast between Trump/Vance vitriol and Harris/Walz joy seems to be resonating with voters. Partly, it’s relief. Our political discourse has been poisoned with Trump’s hate-filled spittle for nearly a decade. We have watched Trump bully so many people that watching Harris/ Walz laugh at him delivers a catharsis. Everyone likes to see a bully get his comeuppance, seeing him get laughed at is a special treat. When the laughter comes from his would-be victim- eg, [the one he tries hardest to dominate and bully](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvdjk0eHNtN2pnNC8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~)— it’s delicious. [Read more](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvenpxbGY1cHZuby8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~). [Subscribe to Salon today](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvbWc3dnF4cjM5ay8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) and unlock more benefits! Up Next ... - Trump accuses Harris of [using AI to create fake crowds](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvdWp3bTY1NGo4MS8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) at campaign events - The "Star Wars" moment when ["Industry" star Ken Leung](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvZWJmdGxramQ1My8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) knew he'd arrived - "The Olympics of lying": [Pete Buttigieg blasts Trump](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvN2M1ZHFnanF6OC8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) for verified 162 lies told at recent presser - [Kamala Harris appeals to progressives](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvOWszYWZ3OGNrZS8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) with a promise to “take on price gouging” - [Harris and Walz](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvcXcyNzBsdXVucC8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) close out first week on campaign trail together at packed rally in Vegas - [In defense of elaborate, unwieldy and fabulous nails](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvcGY4MnVuazEyOC8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) – no matter what your profession is - [Refusing to indict Trump](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvYjgzbnY3cGhmZy8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) in Arizona was a grave mistake Before you go ... A daring escape from cynicism: Scientist explains why “hopeful skeptics” are outsmarting doomers Stanford neuroscientist and professor Jamil Zaki's book, “[Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvdjNsNGF3NThpMy8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~)," is critical reading in a world where cynicism seems like the only justifiable psychological protection one has against climate despair and chaos. Zaki’s discovery here about how human hope and skeptical curiosity can change our daily and collective outcomes in the world isn’t some over-burdened academic reach about miracle drugs or trendy new life-coach talking points. Rather, its premises and praxis are rooted in an adept, interdisciplinary command of so many others’ work. [Read more](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvYnl0eGxwbmE0by8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzNyZsaF9lbT10cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NSU0MGdtYWlsLmNvbVcDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~). [Unsubscribe from this list](~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9yZWFkLmxldHRlcmhlYWQuZW1haWwvY3Jhc2gtY291cnNlL3Vuc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xoX2FpZD0xMjI5NTlXA3NwY0IKZrBB67lmerpiL1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Copyright © 2024 Crash Course, All rights reserved. 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, DE 19801 ~/AASU4wA~/RgRonHBAP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvZHU5ZmJrcTQ1Ny8_bGhfYWlkPTEyMjk1OSZsaF9jaWQ9cm9oeWl2ZzVzN1cDc3BjQgpmsEHruWZ6umIvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~ Made with Letterhead [Letterhead logo]