Why your future self is essentially a complete stranger to you
In short: We operate under a profound psychological glitch: the belief that our future selves will maintain our current views, perspectives, and hopes. Journalist Shankar Vedantam calls this the "illusion of continuity." Understanding this disconnect is the first step toward proactively crafting the person you are destined to become.
Most people navigate life assuming a stable thread of identity connects who they are today to who they will be in ten years. We assume our future self will share our current values and desires. However, journalist Shankar Vedantam argues that this is a fallacy. Instead, we are in a state of constant transformation, perpetually becoming new people through the passage of time. This constant state of becoming means that our identity is never truly fixed. We are essentially evolving through every passing moment. This perpetual evolution means our identity remains in flux. We are never truly static beings.
This psychological phenomenon, which Vedantam identifies as the "illusion of continuity," suggests that our current perspective is not a permanent blueprint for our future. The disconnect between our present self and our future self can lead to significant friction in decision-making, as the person who makes a choice may have entirely different priorities than the person who has to live with the consequences.
By recognizing that our views, perspectives, and hopes are subject to change, we can move away from passive existence. Rather than assuming continuity, Vedantam suggests we can use this realization to more proactively craft the people we are to become. Understanding that the self is fluid allows for a more intentional approach to personal growth and long-term planning, acknowledging that the person we are becoming is a distinct entity from the one we are today.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: You Don’t Actually Know What Your Future Self Wants | Shankar Vedantam | TED
- Also: Shankar Vedantam: You don't actually know what your future self wants
- Also: You don't actually know what your future self wants - Shankar Vendantam
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