Matthew Lieberman explores research showing that our need to connect with others is more fundamental than needs for food or shelter. Our brains spend spare time learning about social worlds and people. By age 10, we spend 10,000 hours learning to understand people and groups. New brain imaging research shows our brains react to social pain and pleasure similarly to physical pain and pleasure. The brain has evolved to read others' minds and coordinate lives, though this wiring sometimes leads to behavior seen as irrational but necessary for species success. Insights from this research have implications to improve learning, productivity, and well-being by tapping into powerful social brain resources rather than minimizing social factors.