You Don’t Actually Know What Your Future Self Wants | Shankar Vedantam | TED

"You are constantly becoming a new person," says journalist Shankar Vendantam. In a talk full of beautiful storytelling, he explains the profound impact of something he calls the "illusion of continuity" -- the belief that our future selves will share the same views, perspectives and hopes as our current selves -- and shows how we can more proactively craft the people we are to become.

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[gurmeetsliet]

Things to do for future self:
1. Stay Curious: Expand your horizon
2. Practice Humility
3. To be Brave: You don't have the capability to do things today, but your future self will have different capabilities.

[ashmitapoudel]

Just Stay curious
Practice humility
Be brave
Make your future self proud

[tobarragl]

I discovered Hidden Brain podcast few weeks ago and I can’t stop listening to it. I truly recommend it. Great content.

[brianmillerspeaks]

I love this so much, on two levels. One, as a speaker and consultant on human connection. Most of my work centers on helping people understand other perspectives. But there's a perspective I never really consider - your own, in the future. And two, as a speaking coach for TED-style presentations. This talk is masterfully crafted and delivered. Perfect example of how to tell stories as a vehicle for an idea, not merely for story's sake.

[fuzzygreen]

That was a good one. If you have ever come across comments you wrote on youtube, or in a journal, or elsewhere from 10+ years ago, you know exactly what this guy is talking about. I sometimes stumble on such previously written messages, that no longer align with my thinking at all. It's a strange thing, that my digital ghost and I are not the same, or at least we have significant differences psychologically.

[AreebIrshadHindi]

One of the most thought-provoking, well-presented and well-crafted TED talks out there!

[timrichmond]

Never look back and wish yourself there, only realise your future self will feel the same way about your now.

[nooderni]

This one genuinely deserves more traction. That last note, even on its own, was particularly worthy of applause. Kudos. 👏

[exethanter]

Captivating story: ✅
Compelling problem statement: ✅
Backed by science: ✅
Actionable insights: ✅

"You're going to be a different person sooner than you think. So you might as well be in charge of who you're going to be."

Not often do I find a TED talk that gave me chills and lit a fire inside of me at the same time. Saved this in the hope that my future selves will go back to it from time to time.

[Underwhelming_LDN]

Ted talks are cool because it's someone making a point and then having the platform to explain it WITHOUT being shouted down and disagreed with for likes. I wish more people watched this stuff.

[Guy-qsnz]

"This is Hidden Brain. I'm Shankar Vedantam." The absolute best opening line to any podcast/show/program.

[sophieblooming]

Whenever I revisited the timestamped entries I wrote years ago in my diary, I would do an air hug to my younger self for making many choices along the way to pave the road to me today. I know my current self will do the same for the future me. I learned to draw at 31, calculus and coding at 39, belly dance at over 40. I know a lady started taking piano lesson after retirement and she played beautifully in her 80s. So definitely the key to the future is in your hands.

[thelifeofahuman]

the fact that I am also a 22-year-old electronics engineer who just left her job and now has no idea what the future will look like this talk is like a universe's sign that one is just supposed to move in life with passion and love And one day we will reach a place where we belong.

[chandratyler]

You are one of the most brilliant people I have ever met. I first met you when I picked up your book "The Hidden Brain" by accident and started to read it. Immediately I loved your style of writing and I deduced that you were incredibly brilliant. Today by accident I watched your Ted Talk and was indeed very ecstatic to see you in person, just like I imagined you would look like. Thank you for being the person you are and sharing with us.

[msterj]

The concept of disliking our past selves hits home hard. Thank you. I needed to hear this.

[ArchitectingHappiness]

I gave you a standing ovation from my living room. 🙂 Amazing insightful talk and ideas. Both my current, and future self thank you for sharing your wisdom and perspective with us.

[Tuikong]

What a message! Spend time crafting what you wanna become.
1. Stay curious by expanding your horizon
2. Practice humility
3. Confront opportunities and be brave in them.

[ShalomSimplified]

This makes you wonder about the massive time and money investment into our education when we don't know if our future selves will still want that career. I went to school to become a web developer, and I did learn useful skills, but I never actually worked as one. I didn't even work in the tech industry at all. Little wonder so many people end up feeling "stuck" and having midlife crises.

Also wise to rethink any change that would be permanent that your future self may indeed regret. Like permanently altering your body in some way.

I enjoyed this presentation and I'll be seriously considering subscribing to his podcast. :)

[fernandavofchukmarkus]

Honestly, one of the best TEDs ever. I'm speechless yet my mind is speeding like crazy.

[yangchengyamu]

I love Shankar it’s been more then 2 years I have been listening to hidden brain his podcast and it really helped to to understand my self and others!