A really interesting look at how we bias our focus to obstacles even when we have substantial support or advantage. I appreciated the introduction as well which contextualized the research within the ongoing study of gratitude.

One great snippet:

“DUBNER: I’m curious how the idea of headwinds and tailwinds plays into the conversation these days about privilege […]”

“GILOVICH: What we’ve shown in the lab is directly applicable […]. There’s this term that “there’s a war on white males these days,” white Christian men, and channeled through the headwinds/tailwinds asymmetry, […] the influence they’ve had has decreased […]. At the same time, if you look at it from the outside, what you see is an enormous advantage that had existed for hundreds of years being reduced just a little bit.”
Why Is My Life So Hard? – Freakonomics

Most of us feel we face more headwinds and obstacles than everyone else — which breeds resentment. We also undervalue the tailwinds that help us — which leaves us ungrateful and unhappy. How can we avoid this trap?

cross-posted on Facebook