Much of what I write here is centered around the pursuit of the ideal life. There are plenty of problems with that pursuit: perfection is impossible, we have limitations, and how do you define “ideal.” But, for the most part, I believe thinking about what the ideal way to live, and making small steps forward, […]
Why Goal-Setting Can Leave You Miserable
There are really only two reasons to set a goal: instrumental reasons and experiential reasons. When you set a goal for instrumental reasons, it is because the object of the goal will improve your happiness, lifestyle or contribute to some larger purpose. For example, if you’re incredibly overweight, changing your lifestyle may add several years […]
Why Most People are Happier Working than in Their Free Time
Are you happier when you’re working, or when you have time off? Easy answer right? We work in order to have free time. Everything from basic economics to our deepest intuitions tells us that we must be happiest during our free time. Turns out we were wrong. Flow, Flipped Intuitions and A Scientist’s Name You […]
Why the World is Actually Getting Better
I’m halfway through reading The Progress Paradox, by Gregg Easterbrook. The paradox is simply this: why do people feel worse, when life is actually getting better. Easterbrook spends a long chapter arguing how, in almost every dimension, life for Western countries is not (as many exclaim) diving into an abyss, but getting better. And, it […]