Dr. Ellen Langer: Mindfulness in the Digital Age

Feb 04, 2025

Mindfulness Social Media and Modern Identity

The modern discourse around mental health, social media, and identity has become increasingly complex, particularly for younger generations. While previous decades saw a more straightforward approach to these issues, we now find ourselves in an environment where labels, diagnoses, and prescriptions have become commonplace.

Langer argues against the notion that technology itself is the problem. Rather, it’s how we use these tools that matters. When used mindfully, technology can serve as a powerful instrument for growth and connection. When used mindlessly, it becomes a source of distraction and psychological burden.

Consider social media’s impact on self-esteem. The tendency to present only our best moments creates a distorted reality where everyone else appears to be living a more successful, happier life. But this is merely an illusion created by selective sharing. The solution isn’t to abandon these platforms but to approach them with greater authenticity and awareness.

The relationship between appearance and wealth has also evolved significantly. In the past, material possessions served as reliable indicators of economic status. Now, we’re witnessing a fascinating inversion where extreme wealth often manifests as intentional understatement. This phenomenon creates multiple layers of interpretation: those who can’t afford to maintain appearances, those who invest heavily in their image, and those who deliberately downplay their wealth.

This complexity extends to cultural signifiers as well. The traditional markers that once helped people identify their tribes – band t-shirts, fashion choices, or consumer preferences – have become increasingly ambiguous. This transformation challenges our ability to make quick judgments about others’ values and affiliations.

But perhaps this ambiguity is beneficial. When we can’t easily categorize people, we’re forced to engage more deeply. We must question our assumptions and consider multiple interpretations of behavior and appearance. This mindful approach to understanding others creates richer, more meaningful interactions.

The key lies in developing the ability to see situations from multiple perspectives. Instead of accepting single interpretations of behavior or appearance, we should practice considering various possibilities. This mental flexibility allows us to move beyond superficial judgments and engage with the true complexity of human nature.

When we pigeonhole others based on surface-level observations, we limit the potential for genuine connection and understanding. True engagement requires us to remain open to surprise, to question our assumptions, and to appreciate the many layers of meaning in human behavior and identity.

Human Drive for Innovation and Creation

The human drive to innovate and create is not unique to technology – it’s a fundamental aspect of our existence. While we often marvel at our technological achievements, from smartphones to space exploration, this creative impulse extends far beyond gadgets and machines.

What’s fascinating is that humans appear to be the only species with such an intense drive to continuously develop and improve upon existing solutions. While other animals like crows and primates demonstrate tool use, none match our relentless pursuit of innovation.

But perhaps we’re looking at this phenomenon too narrowly. As Langer suggests, it’s not a compulsion to develop specific things, but rather a universal drive to create. This creative spirit manifests differently across individuals – some channel it into technology, others into music, art, or scientific research. The medium is less important than the act of creation itself.

The process of noticing and creating new things makes us feel maximally alive. This aligns with research showing that when people are asked to notice novel aspects of activities they typically dislike – whether football, rap music, or art – their engagement and enjoyment increase. The more they notice, the more they appreciate what they’re observing.

This suggests our innovative spirit isn’t about the durability or permanence of what we create. Some cultures explicitly embrace impermanence, like monks who create intricate art only to destroy it shortly after completion. Huberman describes a similar concept he calls “sandcastle no selfie” – creating simply for the act of creation, with no attachment to preserving the outcome.

What makes this perspective particularly powerful is its implications for engagement and satisfaction in life. Rather than waiting for something external to capture our interest, we can actively generate engagement through intentional observation and creation. The “high” of total engagement isn’t tied to any particular activity or outcome – it’s available to us whenever we choose to notice and create something new.

This understanding frees us from the need to hold onto specific creations or achievements. Like Langer’s experience of losing an entire book draft, we can recognize that our next creation might be even better than the last. The joy lies not in the product, but in the process of continuing to notice, innovate, and create.

Covid Health Debates and Uncertainty

The psychology of uncertainty and decision-making during public health crises reveals deeper truths about human behavior and institutional approaches to problem-solving.

Consider the mask debate during COVID-19. There were valid arguments on multiple fronts – the potential benefits of reducing viral transmission versus the psychological costs of limiting non-verbal communication and human connection. As Langer points out, relationships and social interaction are not inconsequential parts of our well-being.

The vaccine discourse followed a similar pattern. While population-level data showed overall benefits, individual experiences varied dramatically. Some witnessed lives saved, while others experienced adverse effects. Both perspectives stemmed from real experiences, yet the dialogue often devolved into unproductive absolutism.

This highlights a fundamental flaw in how we approach complex issues. We seek certainty where uncertainty is inherent. We create rigid rules when flexibility might serve us better. Take Langer’s example of the busy Mexican intersection with no traffic signals – drivers remain alert and adaptive precisely because the absence of strict rules demands constant awareness.

Our educational system reinforces this problematic thinking. Students learn to provide single “correct” answers rather than exploring multiple valid perspectives. This conditioning carries forward into adulthood, making it difficult to navigate nuanced issues that lack clear solutions.

The medical community’s response to uncertainty is telling. When Langer spoke critically about medical decision-making to an audience of physicians, they responded positively. They recognized the limitations of their knowledge and the importance of maintaining humility in the face of uncertainty.

This humility is crucial. When we acknowledge uncertainty, we approach disagreements differently. We listen more carefully to opposing views and recognize that our own perspective, while valid, may not be complete. This doesn’t mean abandoning guidelines or protocols – it means understanding their limitations and context.

The key is finding balance between structure and flexibility. Just as a speed limit of 60 mph fails to account for weather conditions, road quality, and driver experience, rigid public health mandates may miss important contextual factors. The goal should be creating frameworks that acknowledge complexity while providing practical guidance.

Fake News Story About House Fire Sparks Discussion

A false news story about a house fire recently caught my attention, not because of its sensationalism, but because it exposed a deeper truth about human nature and media integrity. The story claimed a celebrity’s home had been destroyed in the LA fires, complete with before and after photos. There was just one problem – the house in the photos was mine, with my Toyota 4Runner clearly visible in the driveway.

The reporter, whom I knew from a previous interaction, hadn’t bothered to verify any facts. They simply fabricated a narrative that suited their needs. This incident pulled back the curtain on modern journalism, revealing how often truth is sacrificed for clicks and engagement.

Langer’s perspective on such situations is refreshingly pragmatic. “What difference does it make?” she asked when I shared my frustration. This simple question cuts through our instinctive reaction to perceived injustice, forcing us to examine why we get so attached to these narratives.

Her own experience with house fires offers a masterclass in perspective. When her home burned down, she approached the situation with remarkable equanimity. Rather than dwelling on losses, she found unexpected gifts in the experience – from the overwhelming generosity of service workers at her temporary hotel residence to the opportunity to teach her university course in a completely new way, free from the constraints of prepared notes.

As Rubin often says, “There are only two truths: nature and professional wrestling.” His point is profound – wrestling is “real” precisely because everyone acknowledges its artifice. It’s theater designed to reveal human nature, much like the media circus that surrounds us daily.

The authenticity we seek often lies not in the accuracy of reported facts, but in our response to them. When we fixate on correcting every misrepresentation, we miss the opportunity to see the broader patterns of human behavior at play. The real story isn’t about whose house appeared in which news article – it’s about our collective relationship with truth and how we choose to engage with the narratives that shape our world.

Read Andrew Huberman

Discussion about this post