Scientist Mode: With Guests Adam Grant & Luca Parmitano

<p>Important decisions can be complex and difficult to make. We’re at the mercy of certain behavioral biases, and we often face a degree of uncertainty. And while it’s helpful to be aware of our shortcomings and mindful of our incomplete picture of the world, there is a proven way to make better decisions, on balance.  </p><p>In this episode of <i>Choiceology with </i><a href="http://www.katherinemilkman.com/"><i>Katy Milkman</i></a>, we look at how questioning our basic assumptions and thinking like a scientist can help us untangle the knottiest of problems and make choices with greater confidence.</p><p><a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Luca_Parmitano">Luca Parmitano</a> was the first Italian astronaut to perform an EVA—an extravehicular activity, otherwise known as a space walk—in 2013. During that EVA, Luca noticed a small amount of excess moisture in his space suit. Engineers chalked it up to a minor leak in his drinking container.</p><p>But on his second EVA, Luca nearly <i>drowned</i> in space. You’ll hear from Luca himself about what happened and what it was like to have his helmet fill with water, 250 miles above the earth, outside the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html">International Space Station</a>. You’ll also hear how <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> worked to prevent a repeat of what has been called “the scariest wardrobe malfunction” in the agency’s history. </p><p>Luca Parmitano is an astronaut with the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> and a colonel in the <a href="http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/Pagine/default.aspx">Italian Air Force.</a></p><p>A version of Luca’s story appears in <a href="https://www.adamgrant.net/">Adam Grant’s</a> new book <a href="https://www.adamgrant.net/book/think-again/"><i>Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know</i></a><i>.</i></p><p>Adam Grant joined Katy to talk about the methods scientists use to avoid certain pitfalls, such as confi