I'm sure somebody out there is actually eating Cheeto salads.

I'm Angela Duckworth.

I'm Stephen Dubner.

And you're listening to No Stupid Questions.

Today on the show, what's the best way to ask for forgiveness?

Say sorry.

Sorry.

Also, are we naive to think that insights from social science can result in behavior change for good?

We don't need self-control anymore.

We don't need behavioral science anymore.

Stephen, have you ever heard of the gratitude letter?

No, but unless it's something radically different than what it sounds like, I think I understand it.

You're like, is that a thank you note, just rebranded?

No, it's actually a thing.

What is it?

So a gratitude letter is when you write a letter to someone.

Expressing gratitude?

But it can't just be like, thanks Aunt Marge for the beautiful yellow sweater. That's a thank you note. A gratitude letter is like... Thanks Aunt Marge for teaching me how to knit yellow sweaters. And for being such a role model in my life. I'm tearing up now. Yep, that usually happens when you get a gratitude letter. So it's to someone you haven't properly thanked,

and it's about what they meant in your life.

Gotcha.

Does that help?

Sounds lovely.

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