How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Update)

In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, host Angela Duckworth interviews Arthur Brooks, a professor at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, about his book "Love Your Enemies" and the concept of contempt in American politics. Brooks argues that the U.S. is experiencing a "contempt crisis," fueled by economic frustration and exploited by politicians and media outlets. He differentiates contempt from anger, describing it as a combination of anger and disgust that devalues others. Brooks suggests that this contempt is addictive, driven by dopamine, and ultimately detrimental to personal happiness and societal well-being. He advocates for individuals to practice "warmheartedness" and gratitude as antidotes to contempt, and encourages political leaders to focus on creating opportunities rather than division.