Like what you heard on the Harvesting Happiness podcast?
The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the emerging science of cognitive immunology and how it relates to our well-being.
Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE).
Listen to two separate 9-part Harvesting Happiness podcast productions that explore the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Both unique series examine how and why disinformation, conspiracy theories, and media propaganda are used to undermine critical thinking and common sense. This impacts how we think and behave as well as our collective well-being.
This episode is #2 of 9 of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.
The question — What would it take to change your mind? is one of the primary ways we can boost our mental immune system. Because it forces us to examine our instincts, beliefs, and behaviors. Going through the process enables us to self-heal when we are confronted with misinformation and strengthens our ability to bridge the gap when confronted by those who have different beliefs.
To discover how best to fortify our mental immunity and shed wellness-reducing ideas, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with evolutionary anthropologist, Dr. David Samson. David shares his background and his primary purpose for joining CIRCE. He discusses CIRCE’s mission, the impact of tribal identity on the way we see the world, and his tribalism vaccine hypothesis.
Dr. David Samson — Examining Human Instincts:
CIRCE’s mission and David’s role in it. [2:36]
David stresses the power of a human’s tribal identity. [5:46]
Examining the beliefs of the groups we subscribe to and our kin networks. [12:45]
How to bridge the gap when someone doesn’t share similar beliefs. [17:20]
David explains the tribalism virus and the tribalism vaccine hypothesis. [21:49]
About Lisa’s guests:
Dr David Samson is an evolutionary anthropologist at the University of Toronto. He has studied wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat and worked closely with hunter-gatherer communities. In his new book "Our Tribal Future" he explores the evolved instinct to belong to a tribe, and how we can best channel this instinct in the 21st century.
Book: Our Tribal Future: How to Channel Our Foundational Human Instincts into a Force for Good
@Primalprimate on X (Formerly known as Twitter)
@primalprimatologist on Instagram
Substack: The Tribe Drive Newsletter
WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.
