Daniel Goldstein TED Talk - The battle between your present and future self - part 1

Summary

The transcript explores the story of Odysseus and the Sirens as an early example of a 'commitment device,' a psychological tool to resist temptation. Odysseus, seeking to hear the Sirens' song without risking his crew, has himself tied to the mast. The speaker compares this ancient tale to modern-day strategies for overcoming temptation, like hiding credit cards or avoiding junk food. While commitment devices can help control immediate desires, they also highlight one's lack of self-discipline, and users may find ways to circumvent them, undermining their effectiveness.

Takeaways

• 🛳️ Odysseus' story with the Sirens is a classic example of resisting temptation, where he orders his men to tie him to the mast and plug their ears with wax so they can pass by the Sirens safely.
• 🎶 Despite the danger, Odysseus wanted to hear the Sirens' song, risking his own life and the lives of his crew for that desire.
• 🤔 The story of Odysseus represents the psychological concept of a 'commitment device,' a decision made in advance to prevent oneself from making impulsive decisions in the heat of the moment.
• 💡 Commitment devices are strategies used to balance the conflict between two selves: the present self (seeking immediate gratification) and the future self (seeking long-term benefits).
• 🍩 The present self is powerful, controlling immediate decisions, while the future self is weaker and often overlooked, leading to challenges in resisting temptation.
• 💪 The metaphor of Odysseus illustrates the difficulty of self-discipline—resisting temptation is often harder than achieving the actual goal, like losing weight or avoiding distractions.
• 🔗 Commitment devices, such as locking away credit cards or not buying junk food, help bridge the gap between present impulses and future goals.
• 🎯 The speaker describes his own commitment device of forcing himself to write five pages a day or lose five dollars, highlighting how commitment devices can enforce discipline.
• 🤷 One challenge with commitment devices is that they can serve as a reminder of one's lack of self-control, potentially undermining confidence in self-discipline.
• 😕 Another issue is the potential to 'weasel out' of commitment devices, where the person finds loopholes to avoid the commitment, much like Odysseus attempting to trick his crew into untying him.

Q & A

What is the story of Odysseus and the Sirens as described in the transcript?

Odysseus, returning home from the Trojan War, wants to hear the enchanting song of the Sirens, even though it lures sailors to their death. To avoid disaster, he orders his men to block their ears with wax and tie him to the mast, so he can listen without being able to act on the temptation.

Why does Odysseus choose not to avoid the Sirens despite the danger?

Odysseus, driven by curiosity and desire, chooses to hear the Sirens' song, even though it puts his life and crew at risk. This decision reflects the human tendency to seek immediate gratification despite known dangers.

What psychological concept does the transcript compare Odysseus' actions to?

Odysseus' actions are compared to a 'commitment device,' a tool used to bind oneself from making poor decisions in the heat of the moment. In Odysseus' case, he ties himself to the mast to avoid succumbing to temptation.

What are commitment devices, according to the transcript?

Commitment devices are strategies people use to prevent themselves from making regrettable decisions in moments of weakness. They include actions like locking away credit cards, not bringing junk food home, or setting personal rules to prevent bad habits.

What is the 'battle of the two selves' as described in the transcript?

The 'battle of the two selves' refers to the conflict between the present self, focused on immediate gratification, and the future self, concerned with long-term well-being. The present self is powerful and in control, while the future self is weak and often disregarded.

How does the transcript describe the present and future self in terms of temptation?

The present self is portrayed as strong and dominant, focused on immediate desires, while the future self is weaker and less able to defend its long-term interests. This imbalance makes it difficult to resist temptation in the moment.

What examples of modern commitment devices does the transcript mention?

Examples include locking away credit cards to avoid spending, not bringing junk food into the house to avoid eating it, and unplugging the internet to prevent distractions.

What challenges or concerns does the speaker raise about commitment devices?

The speaker expresses two concerns: 1) commitment devices may undermine self-discipline by making you reliant on external mechanisms, and 2) they can be ineffective if you find ways to 'weasel out' of them, like justifying not sticking to the plan.

How does the speaker describe their personal experience with commitment devices?

The speaker recalls using a self-imposed commitment device where they had to write five pages daily or lose five dollars. They struggled with finding an appropriate consequence, realizing the complexity of creating effective commitment devices.

What metaphor does the transcript use to describe the effect of commitment devices on self-discipline?

The transcript compares self-discipline to a muscle that strengthens with use. Relying too much on commitment devices can prevent you from exercising and building your self-control, weakening your ability to resist temptation on your own.