Better Off Later: Our Preference for Improving Sequences (With George Loewenstein)

Katy Milkman explores why we prefer experiences that improve over time, from salaries to weekend plans. George Loewenstein shares his seminal research on improving sequences, the emotional toll of anticipation, and how ordering flips decisions. Jerald Podair recounts the 1960 NYC teachers' strike, where educators traded short-term perks for a predictable upward pay scale—a real-world example of this preference.