How equal do we want the world to be? You'd be surprised | Dan Ariely

Summary

This talk explores the subjective nature of our perceptions, using the analogy of beer tasting to illustrate how our preconceived notions can skew our understanding of inequality. The speaker discusses large-scale surveys that reveal a significant gap between the public's perception of wealth distribution and the reality, as well as their desired levels of inequality. By applying philosopher John Rawls' 'veil of ignorance' concept, the speaker demonstrates a desire for a more equitable society, suggesting that addressing the knowledge and desirability gaps is crucial for effecting change. The talk concludes with a call to consider the implications of inequality in various aspects of life and the importance of acting on these insights.

Takeaways

• 👓 The concept of 'color-tinted glasses' is used to illustrate how our preconceived notions and expectations can bias our perceptions and decisions.
• 🍺 A blind taste test with beer shows that without branding or appearance, most people cannot distinguish between different beers, highlighting the impact of external factors on our sensory judgments.
• 💊 The placebo effect is demonstrated through a study where people reported more pain relief from expensive pain medication, showing that expectations can influence physiological responses.
• 🏈 Sports fans' bias is used as an example of how our allegiances can skew our view of events, such as games, based on our team preferences.
• 📊 Large-scale surveys reveal a significant gap between the public's perception of wealth distribution and the actual reality, indicating a lack of awareness about economic inequality.
• 🤔 The idea of a 'veil of ignorance' from philosopher John Rawls is introduced as a thought experiment to consider what kind of society one would want to join without knowing one's position in it, aiming for a more objective view on inequality.
• 🌍 Surveys across different demographics, including liberals, conservatives, rich, poor, and various nationalities, show a consensus on the desired level of wealth distribution, suggesting common values regarding equality.
• 👶 There is a particular aversion to inequality in areas affecting those with less agency, such as children and infants, indicating a societal preference for fairness in opportunities and basic needs.
• 🔍 The script identifies three gaps in society's approach to inequality: a knowledge gap about the current state of inequality, a desirability gap between what is considered just and the current state, and an action gap in translating awareness into change.
• 🍻 The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to reflect on their experiences and decisions, both in everyday life and in broader policy issues, to consider the role of expectations and the reality behind them.

Q & A

What is the metaphor of 'color-tinted glasses' used in the script to represent?

The 'color-tinted glasses' metaphor is used to represent the preconceived notions and biases that influence our perception and judgment of situations, preventing us from being objective.

How does the beer tasting experiment illustrate the impact of expectations on perception?

In the beer tasting experiment, when participants taste beers without knowing their brands, most beers are perceived similarly, showing that without preconceived notions, our ability to distinguish between them is diminished, except for distinctive ones like Guinness.

What is the role of expectations in the effectiveness of pain medications as mentioned in the script?

The script explains that when people are told they are receiving expensive pain medication, they experience more pain relief than those told it is cheap, indicating that expectations can influence the physiological response to medication.

How does the script use sports fandom as an example of subjective perception?

The script uses sports fandom to illustrate how our allegiance to a team affects how we perceive and interpret the game, showing that our preconceived notions can color our view of events.

What did the large-scale surveys conducted in the U.S. and other countries aim to discover?

The surveys aimed to discover whether people are aware of the current levels of inequality and what levels of inequality they would prefer to have.

What is the 'veil of ignorance' concept introduced by philosopher John Rawls, as discussed in the script?

The 'veil of ignorance' is a concept by John Rawls where one would design a just society without knowing their own position in it, ensuring fairness as all aspects are considered impartially.

How do the results of the 'veil of ignorance' experiment differ from the actual wealth distribution in the U.S.?

In the 'veil of ignorance' experiment, participants wanted a more equal distribution of wealth, with the bottom 20 percent receiving about 10 percent of the wealth, whereas in reality, they have only 0.1 percent.

What is the significance of the knowledge gap and desirability gap mentioned in the script?

The knowledge gap refers to the difference between what people think exists and the reality, while the desirability gap is the difference between what is considered ideal and what currently exists. These gaps highlight the need for education and a change in societal preferences regarding inequality.

How does the script suggest addressing the gaps in knowledge and desirability regarding inequality?

The script suggests addressing the knowledge gap through education about inequality and its consequences, while the desirability gap might be tackled by considering the 'veil of ignorance' approach to encourage more equitable societal preferences.

What is the implication of the script's discussion on inequality in health and education?

The script implies that people are not only averse to wealth inequality but also to the inequality in health and education that results from wealth disparities, indicating a broader concern for social equity.