The Selfish and the Vain – Why Society Rewards Bad Behaviour and What to Do About It

In a frank conversation, Interintellect founder Anna Gát explores why, despite all the self-help books, society does reward some unhealthy behaviours, and how one can emotionally and morally relate to this.

In the 21st century, it is not an unfamiliar feeling to be pushed to unhealthy behaviour patterns: the gastro market is out there to fight your self-control, Netflix openly competes with “sleep”, gig and shift economy platforms are “gamified” to make employees want to work more, prospective romantic partners can be easily surveilled on social media, while internet rabbit holes provide ample opportunity for obsessive research.

All the while, we see some seemingly quite self-obsessed people rise in the ranks of show business, and industry leaders priding themselves in workaholism and ruthlessness make a lot of money…

In this Interintellect Salon we will investigate the contrast between the current stances of popular psychology, mindfulness products and self-help literature, and how society seems to nevertheless encourage some truly unhealthy behaviours. We will discuss potential antidotes to descending toxic spirals in our pursuit of success, and what solutions strong social relationships, a will to build a good life – or even virtue ethics or religion – may offer.

Can’t wait to talk to you about it all!

Reading list:

• https://ava.substack.com/p/on-hungry-ghosts
• https://theconversation.com/why-are-we-becoming-so-narcissistic-heres-the-science-55773
• https://aeon.co/ideas/moderation-may-be-the-most-challenging-and-rewarding-virtue
• https://www.npr.org/books/?t=1614681068849
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201410/is-greed-good
• https://www.forbes.com/global/2000/1009/0320030a.html

Time zones:

• 1:00 pm in New York
• 4:00 pm in London
• 9:00 pm London
• 1o:00 pm Paris

Why not add the ii Calendar to your calendar?

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You will be sent a Zoom link in your event ticket email.

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