27. You are Predictably Imperfect: Katy Milkman x 'Nudge'

The belief that we have free will and that we are in charge of what goes on around us is mostly an illusion. Our decisions are rarely our own. For good or ill, most times we are nudged into ways of behaving. Author and Professor of Behavioural Science, Katy Milkman, joins me to talk about the science of getting where you want to be and how to use the insight that we are predictably imperfect to make better decisions.

Katy reads from ‘Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness’ by Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler. [reading begins at 08:19]

Hear us talk about:

Myths about behaviour change: 'There is no "one size fits all" approach to changing behaviour.' [3:32]
How to ethically think about being a 'choice architect.' [15:30]
The nuances of paternalism. [19:16]
How to inoculate yourself against manipulation that is not in your best interest: 'Knowledge and context should shape all decisions.' [21:28]
Insights around behaviour change and how it works: 'Rigidity in expectations will be our downfall.' [26:05]
How Katy's thinking on behaviour change has evolved over the years. [31:50]

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Resources:

Katy Milkman | Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Podcast

Katy’s book: How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler | Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness