-I used to take a somewhat Fugitive approach, except when I was young I thought that meant living anywhere but the US. That didn't last when I actually started learning about "everywhere else" and even "better" places aren't necessarily always that much better. Now I behave more Quietest, but not because I think it's hopeless, I'm just not a very sociable person to that degree. I can mostly only support Activists or be one for individuals.
My problem though is the idea that humanity can be fully condemned while individuals are praised. If one individual can change, all of humanity can, likely or not is irrelevant and probably relative on other factors actually. Just like "Glass half full or half empty", it's both. Sometimes it's more full, sometimes it's more empty, maybe it will fill up a bit, maybe it will get empty. History has a variety of both cases. Regardless of what will happen, blind optimism and complete pessimism just don't really appeal to me anymore (albeit I think the former is a lesser vice), things just happen, not because humans are any inherent simple good or evil.
-Might need to try the negative practice sometimes. I assume though it's not applicable in every situation, not an expert, but that doesn't sound like a good idea for a drug addiction.
-The "Managing the Mind" article, I have a confession to make. I actually discovered you because Epiphenomenalism disturbed me (which should already be evidence something's off about it) and I was just searching on the web to feed my confirmation bias. That's not the only reason why I stayed, but still, a case of unintended effects.
Willy, well, glad you found me, and that you decided to stay! I agree, black or white views of humanity and history are unhelpful and unrealistic. Human beings are complicated, each of us can do better, but most won’t, for a variety of reasons.
The negative visualization meditation needs to be done carefully, staying away from emotional language and focusing on analysis. It’s not for everyone, nor for all occasions.
True as that might be, the unrealistic black and white viewpoint may also be a reason why while I understand all societies tend to have general problems worth pointing out, and some people are "that bad", I'm a bit skeptical/irked whenever I hear "vs the masses" criticism used in an extreme sense, especially by so-called self-improvement crowds that also attribute monetary fortune as a result of having the virtue* to live meaningfully. I go outside and see plenty of friends and family hanging out and not just complaining about how shitty their lives are or something, that I like to believe most people's problems are on a level of not living virtuously enough (not that I'm perfect) rather than the virtuous vs the degenerate. As a result, even when I have self-righteous moments of instincts where I think of myself "better" than someone, I have no problem still affiliating with them with friendliness, and not just out of a mask of social courtesy. I see "normal" people still using more social media than I do (still have a little myself, just more selective on which communities), but I seriously doubt even if they're using it a bit too much, for most it's on a level of meth.
*"You're just jealous of our/their discipline to accomplish something in life compared to your laziness". As if literally most jobs and serious relationships people do don't still require a sense of hard work, focused learning, and risk taking. Their opinion, not mine, but being able to deal with and ignore it doesn't stop it from being initially irritating.
-I used to take a somewhat Fugitive approach, except when I was young I thought that meant living anywhere but the US. That didn't last when I actually started learning about "everywhere else" and even "better" places aren't necessarily always that much better. Now I behave more Quietest, but not because I think it's hopeless, I'm just not a very sociable person to that degree. I can mostly only support Activists or be one for individuals.
My problem though is the idea that humanity can be fully condemned while individuals are praised. If one individual can change, all of humanity can, likely or not is irrelevant and probably relative on other factors actually. Just like "Glass half full or half empty", it's both. Sometimes it's more full, sometimes it's more empty, maybe it will fill up a bit, maybe it will get empty. History has a variety of both cases. Regardless of what will happen, blind optimism and complete pessimism just don't really appeal to me anymore (albeit I think the former is a lesser vice), things just happen, not because humans are any inherent simple good or evil.
-Might need to try the negative practice sometimes. I assume though it's not applicable in every situation, not an expert, but that doesn't sound like a good idea for a drug addiction.
-The "Managing the Mind" article, I have a confession to make. I actually discovered you because Epiphenomenalism disturbed me (which should already be evidence something's off about it) and I was just searching on the web to feed my confirmation bias. That's not the only reason why I stayed, but still, a case of unintended effects.
Willy, well, glad you found me, and that you decided to stay! I agree, black or white views of humanity and history are unhelpful and unrealistic. Human beings are complicated, each of us can do better, but most won’t, for a variety of reasons.
The negative visualization meditation needs to be done carefully, staying away from emotional language and focusing on analysis. It’s not for everyone, nor for all occasions.
True as that might be, the unrealistic black and white viewpoint may also be a reason why while I understand all societies tend to have general problems worth pointing out, and some people are "that bad", I'm a bit skeptical/irked whenever I hear "vs the masses" criticism used in an extreme sense, especially by so-called self-improvement crowds that also attribute monetary fortune as a result of having the virtue* to live meaningfully. I go outside and see plenty of friends and family hanging out and not just complaining about how shitty their lives are or something, that I like to believe most people's problems are on a level of not living virtuously enough (not that I'm perfect) rather than the virtuous vs the degenerate. As a result, even when I have self-righteous moments of instincts where I think of myself "better" than someone, I have no problem still affiliating with them with friendliness, and not just out of a mask of social courtesy. I see "normal" people still using more social media than I do (still have a little myself, just more selective on which communities), but I seriously doubt even if they're using it a bit too much, for most it's on a level of meth.
*"You're just jealous of our/their discipline to accomplish something in life compared to your laziness". As if literally most jobs and serious relationships people do don't still require a sense of hard work, focused learning, and risk taking. Their opinion, not mine, but being able to deal with and ignore it doesn't stop it from being initially irritating.
My current reading: “Aliens About Humans” by Michael Sender. It’s hilarious. I believe it is stoicism compatible.
So funny 😂Shades of Douglas Adams,maybe?
Somewhat. Published 2024.
42!
Yep
Thanks for the suggestion!
Sci-fi gallows humor.
excellent selection. thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!