Are we all the heroes of our own stories? (with Cate Hall)

1. Prioritize Useful, Not Just True, Beliefs

Focus on adopting belief systems and narratives that are conducive to your goals of being useful, happy, free, and kind, rather than solely fixating on objective truth. This shift can significantly improve your quality of life and engagement with the world.

2. Engage from Others’ Hero Perspective

When aiming to change someone’s mind or have productive conversations, operate as though they believe they are the hero of their own story. Offer alternative narratives that align with their self-perception and values, rather than mocking or shaming them, which activates psychological defenses.

3. Persuade Ethically and Truthfully

When attempting to persuade, ensure your message is genuinely in the interest of the people you’re persuading, avoid self-delusion about your motives, and always use the truth without lying. This approach builds trust and is more effective long-term than manipulative tactics.

4. Support Friends Without Judgment

If a friend is experiencing a mental health crisis or holding beliefs you disagree with, provide non-judgmental support. Avoid strongly rejecting their interpretation of events; instead, take their perspective seriously and work within their framework to guide them to a healthier place.

5. Consider Inpatient Addiction Treatment

If struggling with addiction and finding it difficult to get sober independently, consider an inpatient facility. Being cut off from access provides crucial space to break the cycle, understand oneself better, and develop alternative sources of meaning.

6. Avoid Egoism in Spiritual Growth

While spiritual experiences can be profound, recognize that they are not necessarily unique or indicative of being ‘special.’ Egoism or the belief in one’s specialness can be dangerous and detrimental to one’s worldview.

7. Restore Institutional Credibility

To combat the spread of false narratives and reduce polarization, institutions of power must become more credible and trustworthy by being honest and getting the right answers more often. Lying, even with good intentions, erodes public faith and backfires in the long term.

8. Study Polarization Mechanisms

Devote more resources to understanding the psychological factors and mechanisms that drive political polarization and belief in conspiracy theories. This deeper understanding is crucial for developing effective solutions, especially with emerging manipulative technologies.

9. Test Policies with Outgroup in Power

When considering policies like platform moderation or government power, perform a thought experiment: would you feel the same way if your political outgroup were in power? This helps ensure principles are universally applicable and not just convenient for your current group.

10. Set Universal Content Moderation Rules

For content moderation on platforms, establish a limited set of rules for unacceptable speech (e.g., calling for violence) that are agreed upon by most political tribes. Beyond these, allow broad leeway for expression due to the unreliability of authorities in moderating truth.

11. Limit Excessive Sugar Consumption

Avoid consuming a large amount of sugar, as evidence suggests it is not a good idea for health. While a small amount may be fine, excessive intake is linked to negative health outcomes.

12. Maintain a Healthy Weight Range

Strive to stay within a healthy weight range to avoid extreme obesity, which is strongly linked to increased sickness. A healthy body type can encompass a broader range than societal norms suggest.

13. Find a Sustainable Diet

Focus on finding a diet and nutrition plan that is sustainable for you in the long term, allowing you to consistently stay within a healthy range without excessive sugar or weight gain. Experiment to see what works best for your body and feelings.