We all remember that fateful week, almost exactly a year ago, when it all seemed to sink in for so many of us–when Tom Hanks got sick, the NBA suspended games, and the (now former) President addressed the nation in primetime. The big question now is: When and how will this plague end? My guest today has a clear vision for how things are likely to play out from from here. His name is Dr. Nicholas Christakis. He's a physician, sociologist, and director of the Human Nature Lab at Yale University. He's written a number of books, but there are two that we will discuss in this episode. His latest is called Apollo's Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live. The other book we're going to talk about is on a related subject. It's called Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society. In it, Christakis argues that human beings are fundamentally good. In fact, as you will hear, it is our goodness that the virus exploits. One more order of business: when COVID began affecting our lives, most of us were in immediate crisis, wondering about the answers to very basic questions: How do I get food safely? How do I care for my children and/or do my job under less-than-ideal circumstances? Will my loved ones and I be safe? In response to our changing reality, we've used this podcast to help you figure out how to navigate our new world. We've spoken with experts about how to cope with this crisis, from dealing with anxiety and grief to parenting in a pandemic to worries about money. As you know, the practice of meditation undergirds all of the practical takeaways you hear us discuss on this podcast–and as you may or may not know, many of our podcast guests have contributed to our companion meditation app. We hope that you'll subscribe to the Ten Percent Happier app to learn how to care for yourself and others during crises (which are, after all, inevitable). To make it easier, we're offering 40% off the price of an annual subscription for our podcast listeners. We don't do discounts of this size all the time, and of course nothing is permanent—so get this deal before it ends on April 1st by going to to https://www.tenpercent.com/march for 40% off your subscription. Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/nicholas-christakis-330
Actionable Insights
1. Recognize Interconnectedness in Epidemics
Understand that individual well-being is tied to the health of the entire community during an epidemic, as outbreaks in any location can ultimately affect you, making collective action and concern for others’ health a necessity.
2. Work Together Against Threats
Actively work together and practice ‘other regard’ to effectively combat collective threats like contagious diseases, as selfish, individualistic approaches are ineffective against such challenges.
3. Feed the Virtuous Wolf
Actively feed the ‘virtuous wolf’ by spending time cultivating kind, friendly, generous, and cooperative behaviors, as this will allow the good aspects of your nature to predominate in your life.
4. Embrace Self-Compassion
Practice self-compassion by setting high standards for yourself without harsh self-criticism, as this disposition can equip you to be kinder to others and become a better citizen.
5. Act Altruistically for Well-being
Engage in altruistic and cooperative behaviors because it genuinely feels good, a sensibility that has evolved to serve a certain kind of social life and benefits both the giver and society.
6. Tilt Towards Humane Coping
Consciously choose to cope with collective threats in a humane and kinder way, both individually and as a society, as this approach is more effective for combating the threat and preserving societal integrity.
7. Be Open to Unpleasant Truths
As a citizen, be willing to hear bad news from leaders and avoid voting out those who deliver unpleasant truths, as this fosters a more mature and wise way of operating a great society.
8. Consciously Assess Risks
Consciously assess the worthiness of risks for all actions during a plague, as complete risk elimination is impossible without extreme isolation, requiring individual consideration for every choice.
9. Continue Masking Post-Vaccination
Continue wearing a mask for at least the next year, even if vaccinated, because vaccines are not 100% effective and consistent public health rules require it for collective safety.
10. Stop Wiping Down Packages
Stop routinely wiping down delivered packages and vegetables, as current knowledge indicates that surface transmission (fomites) is not a serious problem for the virus.
11. Subscribe to 10% Happier App
Consider subscribing to the 10% Happier meditation app to access content that can help you take care of yourself and others during ongoing crises.