“Are we in control of our own decisions?” TED Videos
I am in research mode. My “societal confusion” has caused a huge looping spiral – connecting and distracting, filtering and observing, reading and watching, analyzing and crying. My brain has been spinning and spinning and I cannot stop it. I must consume this information to help me find balance. However, it causes me to become overwhelmed with emotions.
I want answers.
I want to know why people behave the way they do. I want to understand why human beings insist on continuing patterns that have shown clear destructive consequences generation after generation. Why do we repeat instead of change? I am seeking hope in humanity. In order for me to do so, I am trying to understand. I am not sure I will ever have my questions answered. I am still devouring and sifting through the many resources I am consuming. I cannot get my other post out that I am working on; I decided to share some videos I have been watching. I find behavioral economics very intriguing.
I will leave you with these quotes and videos letting you ponder on your own.
“But suppose we are nothing more than the sum of our first, naive, random behaviors. What then?”
― Dan Ariely, Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
“The most powerful force ever known on this planet is human cooperation — a force for construction and destruction.”
― Jonathan Haidt
Dan Ariely asks, Are we in control of our own decisions?
Dan Ariely: Our buggy moral code
Jonathan Haidt: The moral roots of liberals and conservatives (Be sure not to pass judgement before watching this whole video.)
Oh, and I also wanted to share How To Disagree. I read this and it helped me a lot with understanding comments and some of the “comment confusion” can have at times. (Comments that are attacking, hateful, disrespectful, damaging etc… toward others and make no sense to me why another person would do that. Comments from all media outlets that are like this.) I am setting myself up for a troll here. Great! The author Paul Graham has many other essays as well. I have not read any others yet, but I thought I would share.
Wait other good news… Daniel got in the car today with no problems. I did have to sit next to him, but he got in on his own and wanted to try. He is still anxious, but is trying so very hard. He is doing a great job conquering his anxiety. Small steps, he is a happy boy right now. 
