The tyranny of ‘‘could’’: why limits give life meaning | Coffee break research at LSE

Depression, anxiety and burnout are at record levels, and we often believe we are the problem. Psychologist Dr Thomas Curran isn’t so sure.
Instead, he argues that the issue is a culture that tells us we could be anything. His research shows that humans need limits to thrive and give life meaning. Limits tell us where to put our energy - to know the difference between chasing the horizon forever and setting off for somewhere you can actually arrive. This talk outlines what Dr Curran calls modern society's "tyranny of the could" and explains why it is today's hidden epidemic.

Dr
Thomas Curran is a BPS chartered psychologist and a world-leading expert on perfectionism. In 2018, he gave a TEDMED talk entitled ''Our Dangerous Obsession with Perfectionism is Getting Worse'' and in 2023 he published his debut book, "The Perfection Trap".

Tom Curran is Associate Professor of Social Psychology in the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science at LSE, https://www.lse.ac.uk/people/thomas-curran

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