Imagine two scenarios. In the first scenario, you have a fulfilling life filled with love, meaning, and enough money to live comfortably. However, after your death, something terrible is revealed about you – even if it’s not true – and people come to despise you. In the second scenario, you have a life of hardship and obscurity, but after you die, it is revealed that you were an incredibly talented artist, and your reputation is assured forever. Which option would you choose?
If you picked the second scenario, you are not alone. This thought experiment conducted by Brett Waggoner at the University of Otago in New Zealand reveals our deep concern for legacy. Throughout time and cultures, people have acted with a desire to leave their mark on history. From monumental structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza to acts of scientific discovery, works of art, sporting achievements, and public philanthropy, individuals have sought to be remembered. However, this behavior seems paradoxical. Why invest so much time and energy into being warmly recalled when one will not be around to witness the benefits?
Researchers have explored this question and uncovered some surprising answers. Some suggest that the desire for legacy provides individuals with an evolutionary advantage. Others view it as a cognitive bias, a glitch in the way we think. However, it is increasingly clear that our yearning for positive remembrance goes beyond mere self-aggrandizement. If nurtured in the right way, it could be harnessed to address long-term global issues such as climate change and biodiversity.
