“But notice all the conspicuous effort in this story. If Charles’s physicians had simply prescribed soup and bed rest, everyone might have… — Kevin Simler Medicine Copy Share Image
“In fact, one of the best predictors of dominance is the ratio of “eye contact while speaking” to “eye contact while listening.”… — Kevin Simler Eye contact Copy Share Image
“Instead, by creating associations that exist out in the broader culture—not just in our own heads, but in the heads of third… — Kevin Simler Copy Share Image
“Thus we use laughter to gauge and calibrate social boundaries—both behavioral boundaries (norms) and group membership boundaries (who deserves how much of… — Kevin Simler Empathy Copy Share Image
“In the broadest sense, there are at least two ways to use the danger of norms for comedic effect. The first is… — Kevin Simler First time Copy Share Image
“When we donate to a good cause, it “says” to our associates, “Look, I’m willing to spend my resources for the benefit… — Kevin Simler Generosity Copy Share Image
“In light of all this, we’re now equipped to think about the relationship between laughter and humor. In any given comedic situation,… — Kevin Simler Art form Copy Share Image
“Note, however, that a community’s supply of social rewards is limited, so we’re often competing to show more loyalty than others—to engage… — Kevin Simler Arms race Copy Share Image
“do well to turn Matthew 7:1 on its head: “Judge freely, and accept that you too will be judged.” — Kevin Simler Copy Share Image
“So it’s a mixed bag. Schools help prepare us for the modern workplace and perhaps for society at large. But in order… — Kevin Simler Education Copy Share Image
“It is a wonderful quirk of our species that the incentives of social life don’t reward strictly ruthless behavior. Leaders who are… — Kevin Simler Habits Copy Share Image
“80 percent of people chose to award a scholarship to a member of their favored political party, even when another applicant had… — Kevin Simler Political party Copy Share Image
“But for most trees, height is all about getting more sun. A forest is an intensely competitive place, and sunlight is a… — Kevin Simler Arms race Copy Share Image
“As Bertrand Russell is often reported to have said, “The mark of a civilized man is the capacity to read a column… — Kevin Simler Bertrand Russell Copy Share Image
“Even infants seem to use laughter intentionally, to communicate their emotional state to their interaction partners. Provine describes the “duet” that takes… — Kevin Simler Laughter Copy Share Image
“This is the magic of nonverbal communication. It allows us to pursue illicit agendas, even ones that require coordinating with other people,… — Kevin Simler Body language Copy Share Image
“Laughter may not be nearly as expressive as language, but it has two properties that make it ideal for navigating sensitive topics.… — Kevin Simler Humor Copy Share Image
“workers worldwide typically resist regimentation, unless the local worker culture and upbringing are unusually modern.31 This complaint was voiced in England at… — Kevin Simler Industrial revolution Copy Share Image
“Another activity that isn’t celebrated as charity is what Robin has called “marginal charity.”65 Here the idea is to nudge our personal… — Kevin Simler Generosity Copy Share Image
“In fact, there’s likely more insight to be gleaned where others aren’t looking—it just won’t seem as relevant to the current conversation.42” — Kevin Simler Wisdom Copy Share Image
“A 22-year-old woman who spends six months backpacking across Asia sends a powerful message about her curiosity, open-mindedness, and even courage. Similar… — Kevin Simler Curiosity Copy Share Image
“The waste is important. It’s only by doing something that serves no concrete survival function that artists are able to advertise their… — Kevin Simler Art Copy Share Image
“Now, your skill as a speaker can manifest itself in a variety of ways. You might simply have encyclopedic knowledge about many… — Kevin Simler Sharp eyes Copy Share Image
“In summary, our minds are built to sabotage information in order to come out ahead in social games. When big parts of… — Kevin Simler Psychology Copy Share Image
“medicine is, in part, an elaborate adult version of “kiss the boo-boo.” — Kevin Simler Medicine Copy Share Image
