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Questions and Answers
What is the primary benefit of cultivating a longer view, according to the author?
What term does geologist Marcia Bjornerud use to describe the perspective gained from taking a longer view?
According to the author, what is the primary obstacle to cultivating a longer view?
What is the author's main argument against living in the present moment?
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What is the author's view on the relationship between the present and the past/future?
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What is the term used to describe the ability to imagine the past and future in one's mind?
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What is the consequence of excessive focus on the present moment?
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What is the name of the test that demonstrates humans' tendency to prioritize short-term rewards?
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What is the term used to describe the tendency to prioritize short-term rewards over long-term benefits?
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What is the consequence of the 'near-far' temporal bias?
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What is the primary consequence of the biases and cultural influences mentioned in the passage?
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What is the relationship between the 'long view' and the present moment, according to the passage?
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What is the author's primary concern about the way people typically approach the present moment?
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What is the primary advantage of mentally 'time-travelling' out of the present, according to the passage?
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What is the author's primary goal in cultivating a longer view, according to the passage?
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Study Notes
Mental Time Travel
- Humans have the ability to mentally time-travel, stepping outside the present to imagine the past and future.
- This ability is thought to have contributed to the success of the human species.
The Importance of Mental Time Travel
- Mental time travel allows us to conjure up rich scenes of the past, present, and future in our mind's eye.
- It enables us to picture past eras, imagine deep futures, and consider the long-term consequences of our actions.
The Dominance of the Present
- In the 21st century, the present often dominates our thoughts and priorities.
- This focus on the present can lead to harmful short-termism in business, politics, and media.
Short-termism
- Short-termism is driven by cultural and human biases, including the prioritization of short-term rewards over long-term benefits.
- Examples of short-termism include the marshmallow test, where children prioritize immediate gratification over delayed rewards.
Biases and Influences
- The 'present bias' and 'near-far' temporal bias contribute to our tendency to prioritize the present over the past and future.
- These biases are compounded by cultural influences, such as the near-term incentives of modern capitalism and the 24-hour media cycle.
Cultivating a Longer View
- Consciously cultivating a longer view can help banish harmful short-termism.
- Practicing mental time travel can lead to greater perspective, hope, and meaning.
- A longer view provides a deeper awareness of our place in the human story and the planet's, and reveals the importance of mindfulness and priorities.
Timefulness
- Geologist Marcia Bjornerud calls this perspective 'timefulness', which involves considering the long-term consequences of our actions.
- Timefulness is not escapism, but rather a way to reveal what truly matters in the present and prioritize what is important.
Mental Time Travel
- Humans have the ability to mentally time-travel, stepping outside the present to imagine the past and future.
- This ability is thought to have contributed to the success of the human species.
The Importance of Mental Time Travel
- Mental time travel allows us to conjure up rich scenes of the past, present, and future in our mind's eye.
- It enables us to picture past eras, imagine deep futures, and consider the long-term consequences of our actions.
The Dominance of the Present
- In the 21st century, the present often dominates our thoughts and priorities.
- This focus on the present can lead to harmful short-termism in business, politics, and media.
Short-termism
- Short-termism is driven by cultural and human biases, including the prioritization of short-term rewards over long-term benefits.
- Examples of short-termism include the marshmallow test, where children prioritize immediate gratification over delayed rewards.
Biases and Influences
- The 'present bias' and 'near-far' temporal bias contribute to our tendency to prioritize the present over the past and future.
- These biases are compounded by cultural influences, such as the near-term incentives of modern capitalism and the 24-hour media cycle.
Cultivating a Longer View
- Consciously cultivating a longer view can help banish harmful short-termism.
- Practicing mental time travel can lead to greater perspective, hope, and meaning.
- A longer view provides a deeper awareness of our place in the human story and the planet's, and reveals the importance of mindfulness and priorities.
Timefulness
- Geologist Marcia Bjornerud calls this perspective 'timefulness', which involves considering the long-term consequences of our actions.
- Timefulness is not escapism, but rather a way to reveal what truly matters in the present and prioritize what is important.
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Description
Explore the concept of mental time-travel, a cognitive ability that allows humans to imagine and relive past and future events. Discover how this trait contributed to our species' success.
