The Vancrux £10 Thought Experiment

In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore a simple but powerful scenario: the £10 Thought Experiment. Imagine a room of 100 people, each with £10. You can either steal £10 from the next person or give your £10 away. On paper, everyone ends up with the same amount—but the energy, trust, and culture in the room are entirely different depending on the choice.

We break down why this experiment matters: a stealing society breeds mistrust, bitterness, and resentment, while a giving society cultivates gratitude, cooperation, and resilience. Using metaphors like rivers and breathing, we illustrate how giving keeps life flowing, while hoarding and selfishness create stagnation.

Science backs this up: generosity triggers dopamine and oxytocin, making us feel happy and bonded, while selfishness spikes stress hormones like corti ...