You’re the Best Loser
The Olympics have started, hooray! Paris is a madhouse, and there’s been much ado about the opening ceremony, but I’m thrilled to be back in San Diego watching that ancient sport from the days of the ancient Greeks — breakdancing. I’ve got a good feeling about the USA Team’s chances!
With the games starting, I’m reminded of a famous study that found the counterintuitive discovery Bronze medalists are often happier than silver — counterintuitive, but true! Just one step away from Gold vs. no medal at all.
Jerry Seinfeld once joked, “Silver medals — or as I like to call them, the best loser.” As it turns out, this quip has more truth than meets the eye. A recent article ‘Why Bronze Medalists Are Likely Happier Than Those Who Win Silver’ delved into the fascinating psychology behind why Olympic bronze medalists are often happier than their silver-winning counterparts.
At first glance, it seems counterintuitive. Silver medalists are just one step away from the coveted gold, while bronze medalists are further down the podium. However, research has shown that silver medalists tend to compare themselves to the gold medalists, focusing on how close they came to winning it all. This comparison breeds disappointment and a sense of falling short.
In contrast, bronze medalists often compare themselves to the athletes who didn’t make it to the podium. They feel a sense of accomplishment and relief, knowing they secured a medal when they could have quickly gone home empty-handed. It’s a classic case of framing and perspective. Comparison is the root of unhappiness.
This phenomenon extends far beyond the realm of sports. In our daily lives, we often fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to those who are slightly ahead of us — the colleague with a slightly higher salary and the friend with a slightly nicer car. We fixate on what we lack rather than appreciating what we have.
The lesson here is clear: comparison is the root of unhappiness. Instead of constantly measuring ourselves against others, we should strive to be content with our achievements and progress. We may not always win the gold, but being the best loser should be okay. As the bronze medalists teach us, sometimes it’s all about perspective.
Until next time, have a M.A.G.I.C. Week going for the Gold!
Brian
Appearance
Thirty years ago, long before podcasts were even a glimmer in Steve Jobs’s ears, I used to fall asleep listening to the legendary Art Bell show, Coast-to-Coast AM. Well, 30 years — and a new host (RIP Art) later, guess who will be a guest on the show? Me!
Check it out tonight at 10p Pacific Time / 1am Eastern.
Find your local AM station or website here.
Genius
Interruptions at workcan be both good and bad. A study from the University of California, Irvine, found that it takes an average of 23 minutes to regain focus after an interruption.
So, by knocking out that major task first, we’re saving heaps of time we’d otherwise spend getting back on track. The study found that people who were interrupted while working on a task actually completed it faster but felt more stressed and frustrated. The study also found that people who are more open to new experiences and have a lower need for personal structure are better at handling interruptions.
How to apply this:
- Schedule regular breaks: To minimize the negative effects of interruptions, try scheduling regular breaks to check emails or chat with coworkers. This can help you stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Practice flexibility: Being open to new experiences and adaptable to changing situations can help you handle interruptions more effectively. Try to approach interruptions as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than as distractions.
Image
I just got back from Chicago, where we had our annual face-to-face meeting for the Simons Observatory. Over 200 of our 350 members gathered for a deep dish pizza, and a deep dive into the awesome science results in on-tap for the world’s most ambitious cosmology experiment! It was a blast seeing old friends and new!
I presented a tribute to the life and influence of Jim Simons and I loved learning from all the young people in attendance, some for the first time. The future looks bright…even when staring into the 3 kelvin Cosmic Microwave Background.
Conversation
Science might seem opposed to chance discoveries due to its focus on meticulous methods.
But surprisingly, serendipity, the art of fortunate accidents and happy discoveries, plays a big role, especially in astronomy.
Some of the greatest cosmic discoveries were accidental. Unexpected findings have greatly shaped our understanding of the universe.
In this episode, I had the pleasure of getting into the fascinating world of serendipitous astronomy with Chris Lintott, astrophysicist, professor, and host of BBC’s “The Sky at Night.”
We discuss the delicate balance between speculation and scientific rigor, famous cases like the cosmic microwave background, and recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Chris opens up about the role of citizen science in modern astronomy and how it’s changing the way we approach cosmic mysteries. This episode might just change how you think about scientific discovery.
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