In this episode, I share two theories from social psychology about why we sometimes lie to ourselves and fool ourselves, as well as suggestions for overcoming these tendencies. I describe some of my own approaches to overcoming self-deception by getting objective data about my life. In order to gain self-knowledge, you have to reduce the gap between what you think about yourself and reality. Although this is often an uncomfortable process, the truth is always liberating.
Show Notes
- Trivers' Theory of Self-Deception
- The Better Angels of Our Nature by Stephen Pinker
- The Dunning-Kruger Effect
- TVL E200 Quantified Self
- TVL Episode The Unexamined Business Is Not Worth Building
Listen to Episode 202 (20 minutes)