You Don’t Actually Know What Your Future Self Wants | Shankar Vedantam | TED

Fractured Foot and Soccer Movie

The speaker recalls a childhood memory of fracturing their foot while playing soccer and not telling their parents because they wanted to go see a soccer movie the next day.

Childhood Injury and Movie Excitement

• When the speaker was 12 years old, they fractured their foot playing soccer.

• They didn't tell their parents about the injury because they were excited to go see a soccer movie with their dad the next day.

• The speaker worried that if they told their parents about the foot, they would be taken to see a doctor instead of going to the movie.

Walking to the Theater

• The next morning, the speaker's dad suggested walking to the theater instead of driving. It was a mile away.

• During the walk, the dad noticed that the speaker was limping and asked why. The speaker made up an excuse about having something in their shoe.

Enjoying the Movie and Seeking Medical Help

• The soccer movie turned out to be spectacular, featuring great Brazilian players. The speaker was ecstatic watching it.

• After watching the movie, the speaker finally told their dad about their injured foot. Their dad took them to an orthopedic doctor who put their foot in a cast for three weeks.

Changing Perspectives on Sports Fandom

The speaker reflects on how his sports fandom has changed over time from being passionate about soccer as a child to now being more interested in another kind of football.

Shifting Sports Interests

• Despite being a huge fan of soccer as a child, four decades later, the speaker no longer considers himself a soccer fan.

• The speaker's sports fandom has shifted to another kind of football, indicating a change in interests and preferences over time.

Unknown Future and Unexpected Paths

The speaker shares his personal journey from being an electronics engineer in India to becoming a journalist and the host of a podcast called "Hidden Brain" in the United States.

Unpredictable Life Trajectory

• At 22 years old, the speaker was an electronics engineer in southern India, unaware that he would eventually move to the United States, become a journalist, and host a podcast.

• The speaker highlights how technology like podcasts and smartphones were not part of his future plans when he graduated from college. His future was unknown and unknowable at that time.

Change Amidst the COVID Pandemic

The speaker discusses how the COVID pandemic has brought about significant changes in people's lives and perspectives.

Transformation During the Pandemic

• Over the past three years, as people have navigated through the COVID pandemic, they have experienced changes in their outlook, perspective, and even fundamental aspects of themselves.

• Anxiety, isolation, upheavals in livelihoods have all contributed to shaping individuals' changed perspectives during this period.

Illusion of Continuity

The speaker explores the illusion of continuity where people tend to imagine that they will remain fundamentally unchanged in their outlook and preferences as they look towards the future.

Contrasting Perspectives on Past and Future

• Looking back at our past selves, we can clearly see how much we have changed over time. However, when looking forward to our future selves, we often fail to imagine the potential for different perspectives and preferences.

• This illusion of continuity arises because the contrast between our past and present selves is more apparent than the potential changes in our future selves. We tend to underestimate how much we can evolve over time.

Profound Consequences of Illusion

The speaker argues that the illusion of continuity has significant implications not only for personal development but also for matters involving life and death.

Impact on Life and Death Decisions

• The illusion of continuity can have profound consequences when it comes to decisions related to life and death.

• The speaker introduces a couple, John and Stephanie Rinka, whose story exemplifies how this illusion can influence end-of-life choices.

John and Stephanie's Story

The speaker shares the story of John and Stephanie Rinka, highlighting their perspective on quality versus quantity of life.

Early Years and Shared Perspective

• John and Stephanie got married at a young age, with dreams for their future together. They settled in North Carolina, where John became a basketball coach, while Stephanie pursued a career as a nurse.

• Stephanie often encountered terminally ill patients during her work as a nurse, which influenced her perspective on quality versus quantity of life. She expressed her desire not to prolong her suffering if she were ever diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Unexpected Diagnosis

• In her late fifties, Stephanie began experiencing slurred speech and sought medical help. She was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), an incurable condition with a fatal prognosis.

• The doctor informed Stephanie that there would come a time when she would be unable to breathe on her own.

The transcript has been summarized and organized into meaningful sections, utilizing timestamps when available to help navigate the content.

New Section

This section discusses a scenario where Stephanie, who is unable to breathe, is asked if she wants to be put on a ventilator. It explores the ethical dilemma faced by her husband John and highlights the importance of understanding one's future self.

Stephanie's Decision

• Stephanie is taken to the hospital as she struggles to breathe.

• A nurse asks Stephanie if she wants to be put on a ventilator.

• Surprisingly, Stephanie says yes, leaving John shocked.

• The next day, John questions Stephanie about her decision, and she confirms that it is what she wants.

The Ethical Problem

• Having an advance directive might have resolved the legal aspect of the situation but not the ethical dilemma.

• Stephanie's younger self had no concept of what her older self with a terminal illness would truly want.

• The challenge lies in making life and death decisions for someone whose future self feels like a stranger.

The Ship of Theseus

This section introduces the philosophical thought experiment known as "the ship of Theseus" and relates it to our changing identities over time.

The Ship of Theseus

• The ship of Theseus thought experiment involves a ship whose parts are gradually replaced until every part is new.

• Philosophers question whether it remains the same ship despite its complete transformation.

Our Changing Identities

• We are constantly changing at both biological and psychological levels.

• While our cells turnover, our psychological identity also evolves due to brain plasticity.

• Each new layer or experience shapes us into slightly different individuals over time.

Challenges and Advice

This section addresses practical challenges related to our evolving selves and offers advice on how to navigate them.

Promises to Future Selves

• When we make promises or commitments, we expect our future selves to honor them.

• However, our future selves may have different views, perspectives, and desires.

Changing Perspectives

• Our values and attitudes can change over time.

• Locking people up for long periods assumes that both the imprisoned individuals and society will remain unchanged.

Outdated Laws

• Laws crafted with good intentions can become outdated or even unacceptable as societal norms evolve.

• We often fail to anticipate the changes that occur in the future when creating laws.

Wrestling with the Problem

• The challenge of navigating these issues is complex and requires careful consideration.

• Three pieces of advice are offered for dealing with this wicked problem:

• Recognize that our future selves may differ from our present selves.

• Embrace the uncertainty of change and avoid assuming continuity.

• Approach decision-making with empathy and understanding for our evolving identities.

Crafting Your Future Self

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of actively shaping one's future self and being in charge of deciding who they will become.

Being the Curator of Your Future Self

• The speaker advises accepting the idea that you will be a different person in 30 years' time and taking an active role in crafting your future self.

• It is important to spend time with people outside your immediate circle, explore new interests, and expand your horizons to shape the person you want to become.

Practicing Humility in Expressing Views

• When expressing views on social media, political forums, or even at dinner parties, it is crucial to remember that our own future selves might disagree with us.

• Adding a touch of humility when sharing opinions allows for open-mindedness and growth.

Recognizing the Fallibility of Perspectives on History

• Our perspective on history is not the final word. It is essential to acknowledge that changes made today may be undone by future generations.

• This applies not only at an individual level but also at an organizational level.

Embracing Capacities and Strengths

This section highlights that while our future selves may be weaker and frailer in some aspects, they will also possess capacities, strengths, and wisdom that we do not currently have.

Acknowledging Opportunities for Growth

• When faced with opportunities that seem challenging or beyond our current capabilities, it is important to recognize that our future selves may possess the capacity to embrace them.

• Rather than saying "I don't have it in me," we should acknowledge that we may develop those capacities over time.

Lesson: Be Brave

• Staying curious, practicing humility, and being brave are key elements for shaping a positive relationship with our future selves.

• By embodying these qualities, our future selves will look back at us with gratitude rather than resentment or bewilderment.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of staying curious, practicing humility, and being brave to create a positive relationship with our future selves.

Gratitude from Our Future Selves

• By staying curious, practicing humility, and being brave, we can ensure that our future selves will look back at us in 20 or 30 years and say "Thank you."

This summary is based on the provided transcript.