I meant dead in their soul. I didn't mean physically dead.

Oh yes, air quotes dead.

I'm Angela Duckworth.

I'm Stephen Dubner.

And you're listening to No Stupid Questions.

Today on the show, how big is your moral circle?

Just me. That's all I care about.

Stephen, we have an email from an Irene Lee that I'm going to read to you.

Okay.

Hi, Stephen and Angela. I was in painting class yesterday.

Women said the world is burning. Here we are painting.

I think it's true, but I don't know what I can do to help worldly issues like the war,

my myths, inequality, oppression, and many more problems.

So what do you think of that woman's words?

What do I think of that woman's words?

I certainly understand the impulse to feel helpless, to feel overwhelmed by negativity.

I do think of at least two avenues to push back on.

Okay.

So one would be I personally do think that it should be a moral imperative, really.

For each of us to move forward as productively as we each can in the world, for yourself,

for your family and community, but for the world at large too.

I mean, if you think about human innovation and ideas that have made all of us more prosperous

...