Word of Mouth's Rethink 2014 series began with a quote by one of the most notable rethinkers of the 20th century: Albert Einstein. Host Virginia Prescott was struck by one particular piece of the theoretical physicist's wisdom: "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age 18." Are those prejudices inherited or chosen, and what if we were given alternative ideas? Inspired, Virginia and her Word of Mouth colleagues sought out current rethinkers of popular beliefs. Today, we're revisiting the most resonant Rethinks. Listen to the full show and click Read more for links to individual segments.
Rethink 2014: The Psychology of Scarcity
- Eldar Shafir, Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs at Princeton set out to find evidence for what happens to our minds when we have too little – and how scarcity shapes our choices and behaviors. He's coauthor of the new book is Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much.
Rethink 2014: America as Global Superpower
- Charles Kenny's book The Upside of Down: Why the Rise of the Rest is Good for the West argues that Americans should stop worrying and learn to love the decline of the U.S. economy.
Rethink 2014: Sex and Relationships
- Esther Perel is a psychologist, sex therapist, and author who specializes in couples and sexuality. She is author of the bestselling book Mating in Captivity: Reconciling the Erotic and the Domestic. Her TED talk on “The Secret to Desire in a Long-term Relationship” has over 2 million views.
Rethink 2014: Endangered species
- Christine Dell'Amore is environment writer and editor for National Geographic News. She asks the uncomfortable question of how do we decide which species to save as part of Nat Geo’s online series called “Last of the Last.”
- Despite the undeniable success of TED talks, Benjamin Bratton spoke at a recent San Diego TEDx event and dared to ask whether the ideas presented at TED really are worth spreading.