Encore of Episode 16: Misbehaving

Ulysses Strategy

The concept of the Ulysses Strategy is a fascinating method people use to enforce self-control by relying on external means. Shankar Vedantam explains how this strategy is inspired by the myth of Ulysses, who had himself bound to the mast of his ship to resist the sirens' tempting songs 1. This approach is mirrored in modern scenarios, like a scene from "Curb Your Enthusiasm," where a character asks a friend to prevent them from eating dessert, highlighting the "hot-cold empathy gap." Richard H. Thaler notes, "When she was in the cold state, she didn't want any dessert. When she was staring the dessert in the face, you know, let me add it."

When she was in the cold state, she didn't want any dessert. When she was staring the dessert in the face, you know, let me add it.

--- Richard H. Thaler

This gap illustrates the challenge of maintaining self-control when faced with immediate temptations 1.

   

Everyday Temptations

Everyday temptations reveal the constant struggle individuals face with self-control. Richard H. Thaler discusses how classical economics often overlooks this struggle, assuming people always make optimal choices 2. However, experiments like the marshmallow test show that resisting temptation is hard work, a concept Thaler emphasizes: "Resisting temptation is work. This is important."

Resisting temptation is work. This is important.

--- Richard H. Thaler

The difficulty of self-control is evident in societal issues like obesity and inadequate retirement savings, where the effort required to resist immediate gratification is significant 2.