Our brains are wired to collect things | Daniel Krawczyk | TEDxSMU

TEDx SHORTS: short, eye-opening ideas from some of the world’s greatest TEDx speakers

21 May 202205:33

Summary

TLDRIn this TEDx Shorts episode, neuroscientist and psychologist Daniel Krasik explores the psychology behind collecting. He explains how collecting may have originated with our hunter-gatherer ancestors as a survival mechanism and evolved into a human trait. From childhood toy collections to valuable art and sports memorabilia, collecting often reflects personal stories, culture, and shared social experiences. Krasik emphasizes that collecting isn't just about acquiring objects; it's a way to connect with others, preserve memories, and enrich our lives through shared interests and social bonding.

Takeaways

🧠 Collecting may be a hardwired human trait, rooted in our hunter-gatherer ancestors who needed to store food and tools for survival.
🧑‍🔬 Daniel Krasik, a neuroscientist and psychologist, explores how human memory and social behavior influence collecting.
🎨 Art collectors often experience a form of communication with the artist, re-encountering emotions and memories through art pieces.
🧒 Children are often collectors, influenced by toy marketing like GI Joe figures and Beanie Babies, where they are encouraged to 'collect them all.'
💼 Some collectors see their collections as investments, as seen in the 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card, which sold for $2.8 million.
⚾ Collecting is not just about the physical object but about the stories and history they represent, such as the connection to sports or cultural history.
🧩 Autobiographical memory plays a key role in collecting, as it ties personal experiences and memories to specific objects.
👥 Collecting can foster social connections by bonding people with shared interests and hobbies, supported by the social hormone oxytocin.
💡 Collections often hold personal and emotional value, enriching relationships with others through shared stories and interests.
💬 Collecting can create opportunities for connecting with like-minded individuals, building friendships and shared experiences.

Q & A

What is the main theme discussed by Daniel Krasik in this TEDx talk?
-Daniel Krasik discusses the psychology behind why humans collect things, explaining that collecting is likely a hardwired human trait with roots in survival and social behavior.
Why does Daniel Krasik believe early human ancestors were the first collectors?
-Krasik suggests that hunter-gatherer ancestors needed to collect and store essential resources like food and tools to ensure survival during times of scarcity, which marks the beginning of human collecting behavior.
How does collecting relate to memory and human psychology, according to the speaker?
-Collecting is linked to autobiographical memory, which helps people store personal experiences and emotions. Objects can represent significant life events, making them more meaningful and valuable.
What role does social connection play in the psychology of collecting?
-Collecting fosters social connections as people bond over shared interests. The brain experiences social rewards through oxytocin when interacting with like-minded individuals, which makes collecting a communal activity.
How does Daniel Krasik explain the artistic aspect of collecting?
-Krasik notes that art collectors experience a form of communication between the artist and the viewer, allowing them to re-experience emotions and reflect on cultural and personal episodes in their lives.
What is the significance of the 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card in the talk?
-The 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card, purchased by Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall, is used as an example of how collecting can serve as an investment and a way to connect with sports history and human stories.
Why does the speaker encourage people not to immediately label someone a hoarder?
-Krasik advises not to rush into labeling someone a hoarder because their collection might hold deep personal and autobiographical significance, which makes their possessions valuable in unique ways.
How does the speaker suggest people should approach their collections?
-The speaker encourages people to engage in collecting, enjoy the thrill of acquiring items, and use it as an opportunity to connect with others who share similar hobbies, enhancing their social life and well-being.
What psychological reward does collecting provide, according to Daniel Krasik?
-Collecting provides a sense of accomplishment, personal satisfaction, and social bonding. It taps into the brain’s reward system, especially when acquiring new items or connecting with others who share similar interests.
What advice does the speaker give to those who want to start or enhance their collections?
-Krasik advises people to actively pursue their collecting passions, explore platforms like eBay to find items, and engage with others who have similar interests to enrich their lives and form meaningful connections.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 The Psychology of Collecting: A Human Trait

In this segment, host Tosa Leone introduces Daniel Krasik, a neuroscientist and psychologist, who explains the psychology behind why humans collect items. Krasik discusses how collecting has deep evolutionary roots, linking it to survival strategies of our hunter-gatherer ancestors who needed to store food and tools. This behavior, he suggests, is a hardwired trait. Collecting, once crucial for survival, has evolved into a cultural and emotional activity that reflects human memory, reasoning, and societal values.

05:01

🧑‍🎨 Art and Toys: Emotional Connections and Cultural Reflection

Krasik delves into the emotional and cultural dimensions of collecting. He discusses how art collectors engage in a communication between artist and viewer, re-experiencing emotions through the artwork. He also highlights how toy lines like G.I. Joe and Beanie Babies capitalize on this human urge to 'collect them all,' particularly in children. This phenomenon not only shapes childhood but also reflects the cultural values of the time, connecting people to both personal and collective memories.

💸 Collecting as Investment: From Hockey to History

Krasik shifts focus to adult collecting, which often amplifies into investment ventures. He shares the story of Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall purchasing a 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card, now valued at $2.8 million, to illustrate how collecting can represent more than just monetary value. The card encapsulates baseball, sports history, and the human stories behind these objects, demonstrating how autobiographical memory plays a significant role in why we collect.

🤝 Social Bonds and the Psychological Rewards of Collecting

The psychology of collecting also involves social connections. Krasik explains how like-minded collectors experience social rewards through shared hobbies, driven by the hormone oxytocin. These bonds help individuals form meaningful connections with others, leading to deeper interpersonal relationships. He advises viewers to appreciate the personal stories behind collections rather than viewing them as clutter, suggesting that these objects hold autobiographical memories.

🎯 Collecting: A Thrilling and Enriching Experience

Krasik wraps up by encouraging viewers to explore the thrill of collecting through platforms like eBay and to embrace the excitement of winning an auction. He underscores that collecting is not only about acquiring objects but also about forging connections with others who share similar interests. This hobby, he argues, can enrich one’s life by fostering friendships and offering emotional fulfillment.

🎤 Thank You and Explore More TEDx Talks

In the final segment, Tosa Leone concludes the talk, thanking the TEDxSMU team for organizing the event. She encourages viewers to explore more TEDx talks on YouTube, reinforcing TED's mission of spreading impactful ideas globally.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Collecting

Collecting refers to the act of gathering items based on interest, value, or memory. In the video, it is described as a hardwired human trait that has its origins in hunter-gatherer societies, where collecting food and tools was essential for survival. As a modern behavior, collecting can also be linked to personal hobbies or investments, such as art or baseball cards.

💡Hunter-gatherers

Hunter-gatherers were early human societies that survived by hunting animals and gathering plant resources. The speaker argues that these societies were the first collectors, storing food and tools for survival. This early form of collecting laid the groundwork for the more complex collecting behaviors seen in modern humans.

💡Autobiographical memory

Autobiographical memory is the memory system that stores episodes and events from an individual's life, like birthdays or important life moments. The video connects this type of memory to collecting, explaining that many people collect items as a way to preserve personal memories, thus enriching the sentimental value of their collections.

💡Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a key role in social bonding. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as a chemical that is released when people engage with others over shared hobbies, like collecting. This social aspect of collecting can strengthen relationships and create rewarding experiences for collectors.

💡Investment

Collecting can also be seen as an investment, where people acquire valuable items with the intention of increasing their worth over time. The video gives an example of a famous 1909 baseball card purchased by Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall, which is now worth millions, showing how collections can gain significant financial value.

💡Art

Art collecting is discussed as an example of a hobby that allows people to engage with culture and history. Collecting art creates a communication between the artist and the viewer, offering a way to relive emotional or cultural experiences. The speaker explains that this kind of collecting has both aesthetic and personal value.

💡Social rewards

Social rewards refer to the emotional and psychological benefits gained from interacting with others. The video highlights that collecting is not just a solitary activity but also one that can foster connections with like-minded individuals. This social aspect enhances the enjoyment of collecting through shared experiences and conversations.

💡Cultural significance

Cultural significance refers to how certain collections reflect the values, trends, or popular phenomena of a given time. For example, toys like G.I. Joe figures or Beanie Babies were part of specific cultural moments that hold nostalgic value for collectors. These collections offer a snapshot of societal interests at different points in history.

💡Emotional connection

Emotional connection is the personal attachment people feel toward their collections. The video explains that items can become symbols of personal memories or meaningful moments in life, amplifying their value beyond mere material worth. This connection to objects is a fundamental aspect of why people collect.

💡Hoarding

Hoarding is mentioned as a potential misinterpretation of collecting. While hoarding involves compulsive accumulation of items, often without organization or purpose, the speaker encourages viewers to explore the stories behind collections instead of judging them. Collections often have deep autobiographical meaning rather than being mere clutter.

Highlights

The psychology behind collecting is explored as a hardwired human trait, possibly linked to survival needs from our hunter-gatherer ancestors.

Collecting helped our ancestors survive by storing food and useful tools for future use, showcasing the deep evolutionary roots of the behavior.

Collecting is more than just a hobby; it serves as a form of autobiographical memory, connecting us to personal experiences and moments.

Art collecting is both an emotional and intellectual experience, creating a dialogue between the artist and the viewer, and reflecting cultural values.

Children are natural collectors, often motivated by the marketing phrase 'collect them all,' which turns toys into desirable, collectible items.

Toy companies have capitalized on children's innate desire to collect, with popular items like GI Joe figures and Beanie Babies driving this impulse.

Adults continue the collecting behavior, often to a more exaggerated degree, as seen in valuable items like the $2.8 million Honus Wagner baseball card.

Collecting can become an investment, with certain items appreciating in value due to their historical significance and emotional stories.

The value of collectibles is tied to their representation of history, culture, and personal stories, enhancing their appeal.

Autobiographical memory plays a key role in why we collect, as we associate objects with important life events and personal milestones.

The social aspect of collecting is emphasized, with oxytocin levels rising when we connect with like-minded individuals who share similar interests.

Collecting helps foster social bonds, allowing people to connect over shared hobbies and interests, leading to meaningful relationships.

Collecting is an activity that enriches life by offering both emotional satisfaction and social connection, encouraging personal storytelling.

Instead of labeling clutter as hoarding, people should be encouraged to explore the personal stories and memories tied to a collection.

The act of winning an auction or finding a rare collectible brings a sense of accomplishment and excitement, further fueling the desire to collect.