The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life by Simler & Hanson

Our book for December is: The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life by Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson. For those who are interested, here is the link to the detailed results from the voting. I have a personal conflict on Dec 8 so I am moving this to the 1st Sunday in December.

Here is a summary of the book:

The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life by Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson, published in 2018, explores the unconscious motives behind human behavior. The authors argue that many of our actions are driven by hidden self-interest, often concealed even from ourselves. They suggest that our brains are designed not just to hunt and gather, but also to help us get ahead socially, often via deception and self-deception.

The book is divided into two parts:

1. Why We Hide Our Motives: This section examines the evolutionary and social reasons behind our tendency to conceal true intentions.
2. Hidden Motives in Everyday Life: This part applies the concept to various aspects of daily life, including body language, laughter, conversation, consumption, art, charity, education, medicine, religion, and politics.

The authors provide examples and research to support their claims, offering a perspective that challenges conventional views on human behavior. For instance, they discuss how charitable giving can serve as a way to signal wealth and generosity rather than purely altruistic intentions.

While some readers may find the insights thought-provoking, others might view them as extensions of existing theories in psychology and behavioral economics. The book has been praised for its engaging writing and comprehensive analysis, making it accessible to a broad audience interested in understanding the complexities of human behavior.

This event will be hybrid. I will host the meeting in person at my house in Berkeley which is near the intersection of College Ave and Woolsey St. I will email people the address the Saturday before the meeting. Here are the Zoom details:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9362833518?pwd=ejRtMXJaUmZNOTQ0YUxjK2RtMlJqQT09

Meeting ID: 936 283 3518
Passcode: Books
+16694449171,,9362833518#,,,,*434154# US
Phone passcode: 434154