369. We've Declared War on Kindness Around the World - Jamil Zaki

Greg McKeown interviews Jamil Zaki, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, about empathy and human connection. McKeown introduces the concept of "lost technology," particularly radical empathy as described by Carl Rogers, and questions why it hasn't been further developed or studied. Zaki responds by discussing the cultural misunderstanding of empathy, the difference between perspective-taking and perspective-getting, and the importance of humility and courage in truly listening to others. They explore how overconfidence, the fear of certain answers, and social identity risks can hinder genuine understanding. The conversation touches on the dangers of disunderstanding, the rise of polarization, and the potential for AI to both help and hinder human connection. They conclude on a hopeful note, emphasizing that the ability to understand each other is not fundamentally broken and can be rebuilt.