The social brain and its superpowers: Matthew Lieberman, Ph.D. at TEDxStLouis

Neuroscientist Matthew Lieberman explains that through his studies he's learned that our kryptonite is ignoring the importance of our social superpowers and by building on our social intuition, we can make ourselves smarter, happier, and more productive. In this TEDx Talk, Lieberman explores groundbreaking research in social neuroscience that reveals that our need to connect with other people is even more fundamental than our need for food or shelter and that the social pain and pleasure we experience has just as much impact as physical pain and pleasure.

TEDxStLouis was held at MX Movies in downtown St. Louis, Missouri on 9.19.13.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[luthfiyyahdamayani]

Key takeaways from the videos:
- if you learn in order to teach someone else, you learn better than you learn in order to take a test
- when you are socially motivated to learn, and it can do better than you typically activate when you try to memorize
- getting more social is the secret to making us a smarter, happier, and more productive,
- social skill is the multiplier
- my time with them (social, family, friends) can`t be replaced by the money
- social connection is one of the best predictors of happiness and well-being, and in contrast, increasing wealth is not a very good predictor.
Meanwhile, what we do in reality...
spending more time at the office, and away from family and friends.

[mdlieber]

What I said in the talk applies equally to introverts and extraverts, IMO. We are all motived to connect whether its really closely with 2 people or loosely with 500. It takes different forms but the motivation is there for almost all. Also, mindreading is critical whether you try to get along with 2 people or 500. I do not think "more social = extraverted". I think "more social = more connected" and that connection could be with 1 or 2 people. Thanks for your interest!

[vikin]

This very powerful and enlightening talk got only 267K views, such a surprise. The speaker's content is very impactful and thought provoking.

[mdlieber]

Yes! No one should be treating themselves with Tylenol. This study was done as a scientific demonstration that something we thought would only help phys pain similarly affects soc pain. High doses of Tylenol are incredibly toxic - deadly. When I get more than 18 min to speak I explain this.

[Reree-gzbg]

Listening to these while I have basically been in isolation for over a year now. Like yes I have a car, license & been building up my confidence to driving alone 🤗. Cuz I don’t want to rely on others. I want to start doing things

[kevinflynn]

Social pain in my opinion is much more painful
It can make you stop interacting with friends

[seabassmontoya]

One of the great talks I've heard in a while. I really wish I'd have thought about becoming a neuroscientist when I was younger. These people are so incredibly intelligent

[robkee]

"Family, the real roots of happiness." Nicely done Dr. Lieberman.
God bless you,
Rob Kee

[polalification]

It's good to hear someone exposing the weakness of Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs...

[rith]

Also Matthew, this talk was brilliant, I hope this video gets millions of views.

[seagecko]

This talk hit me on so many levels. Fascinating. And the presentation is excellent.

[adrian]

The cutting edge of discovery slices both ways.When u announce a breakthrough, ur also announcing urself as the sole source of authority until further notice.Ur talk is amazing.I imagine it will generate much discussion & questions in the coming weeks.I get the cost/benefit evaluation 4 ur time, but dont discount the value of an interested public.Maybe fan the flame by consolidating ur efforts & announce a Q&A where u will address laymen like myself in the interest of fostering social connections.

[lorraineriveras.]

Great talk. Social kryptonite is all we need that we don't even know we really need it.

[lylemills]

Awesome. Learn to teach others. Social skills is a multiplier. Not knowing the value of social is our kryptonite

[AndreaSamadi]

Incredible!! Watching this while I'm watching my almost 7 year old at gymnastics. The sacrifice for your family vs wealth is a great lesson.

[kaiawang]

Very thoughtful talk with lots of real-life applications. Thank you so much Dr. Lieberman!

[IneffableLifestyle]

Even introverts need to be social, just not as much, and for different reasons and in a different way.

[derilatimer]

Fantastic! Well described and passionately communicated! Thank you!

[SeducaoPorMensagem]

Fascinante.parabens pelas descobertas Matthew Lieberman.e obrigado por compartilhar conosco seu conhecimento

[a.sz.]

. thanks for these mind opening words.
i would also like to point out that this lecture have persuaded me even more that infant circumcsion, when not done for immediate/necessary medical reasons, is (basically social) wrong performed on infants.., , since it isolates them (brutally) out of the first social support (=their motherly/parental continuous uninterrupted tender loving nurturing), they will ever get, in their most vulnerable/100%dependent stage of life, and when they dont even have verbal capacity .,