Our Smartphones, Our Selves: How to Be a Happy Human in the Digital Era with Dr. Ravi Chandra and Amy Blankson
Original Air Date Wednesday, October 17, 2018
If you have ever looked up from your smartphone and were surprised at how much time had passed, you are not alone.
Not only can social media be a time suck but studies show it affects our moods, influences our decisions, and changes our relationships. But there may be a way to harness technology and use it for our own benefit. Lisa welcomes authors, Dr. Ravi Chandra, and Amy Blankson to discuss their latest books about the potentially good and bad sides of technology.
Does something in this conversation resonate with you? Are you in need of a professional speaker who can elevate your tribe & enliven your culture? Lisa Cypers Kamen is an award-winning speaker, author & happiness expert who facilitates life-changing presentations for organizations of any size. The science is clear, happier people thrive in life. If you are ready to inject joy into your organization, find out which program is best for you at Lisa’s Live Events.
Dr. Ravi Chandra — Do We Have an Attachment or an Addiction to Our Devices?:
- Dr. Chandra shares the core principles of his book Facebuddha: Transcendence in the Age of Social Networks. [2:57]
- Why migrating to the online world is akin to the culture shock of emigrating to another country. [4:19]
- Is it possible for social media to hack our brains in this digital age? [9:09]
- Finding self-satisfaction and compassion in the angry world of the internet. [15:12]
- Are governments trying to limit voter turnout by dispiriting people online? [23:31]
Ravi Chandra, M.D. is a psychiatrist and author in San Francisco. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and in 2016 was awarded a Proclamation by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for his community and humanitarian work. Facebuddha: Transcendence in the Age of Social Networks is his debut nonfiction work and a 2017 Nautilus Book Award winner. He writes blogs for Psychology Today on psychiatry, spirituality and culture, and for the Center for Asian American Media, on film. He is a published poet, and author of a fox peeks out: poems, and a short book of essays on Asian American Anger.
Ravi Chandra M.D. Website
@going2peace on Twitter
Ravi Chandra on Facebook
Amy Blankson — What aspects of technology do you value?:
- There are challenges but we CAN be happy humans and make technology useful to us in this digital age. [27:28]
- In Amy’s book, The Future of Happiness she calls people out to be conscious consumers when it comes to apps and gadgets. [29:45]
- Learning discernment and stepping out of the system. [34:38]
- Strategies for balancing productivity and well-being in this digital era. [39:51]
Amy Blankson has become one of the world’s leading experts on the connection between positive psychology and technology. She is the only person to be named a Point of Light by two presidents (President George H. W. Bush and President Bill Clinton) for creating a movement to activate positive culture change. A sought-after speaker and consultant, Amy has now worked with organizations like Google, NASA, the US Army, and the Xprize Foundation to help foster a sense of well-being in the Digital Era. Amy received her BA from Harvard and MBA from Yale School of Management. Most recently, she was a featured professor in Oprah’s Happiness course. Amy is the author of two books: The Future of Happiness and an award-winning children’s book called Ripple’s Effect.
Amy Blankson Website
@amyblankson on Twitter
Amy Blankson on Facebook
This episode is generously sponsored by Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life
TWEETABLES
“You can be right or related. You can be right or happy. If we insist on being right we won't be related or happy.” — Dr. Ravi Chandra @going2peace Click To Tweet“Anger is not good or bad. It is present in human relationships. But I think anger can only be resolved with empathy and relationship.” — Dr. Ravi Chandra @going2peace on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“We are bombarded by the media with information about how technology is destroying the fabric of our societies.” — @amyblankson on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“I do think that the future looks incredibly bright in how technology can help us to tune in and not just to zone out.” — @amyblankson on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet
CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY
RELATED EPISODES
Tackling Tough Topics and Festering Feelings of Anxiety in Adults and Children with Dr. Abigail Gewirtz & Jordan Reid
Purpose-driven and consciously prepared brain food from the beaches of Malibu, California. Join us on this week’s show focusing on Tackling Tough Topics and Festering Feelings of Anxiety in Adults and Children. Guests Dr. Abigail Gewirtz & Jordan Reid discuss categorizing our own feelings, helping our children do the same while building resiliency and emotional well-being. To learn more visit HarvestingHappinessTalkRadio.com.
Digital Declarations and Social Media Realities: Communicating with Civility in the Ethers and Beyond with Luvvie Ajayi & Professor Russell Golman
Purpose-driven and consciously prepared brain food from the beaches of Malibu, California. Join us on this week’s show focusing on Digital Declarations and Social Media Realities: Communicating with Civility in the Ethers and Beyond. Guests Luvvie Ajayi & Professor Russell Golman discuss socializing online and in the physical, real relationships and communicating with civility in today’s social climate. To learn more visit HarvestingHappinessTalkRadio.com.
Wondery Presents The Next Big Idea with Rufus Griscom
Hosted by Rufus Griscom, and featuring thought leaders Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Adam Grant, and Daniel Pink, The Next Big Idea brings you the most groundbreaking ideas that have the power to change the way you live, work and think. This week’s episode features a conversation about the power of being “weird.”