This post is the fourth in a series of mid-month missives (I like alliteration) that are largely unrelated to behavioral economics (the subject of my first-of-the-month newsletters).
One area I wish you include in this piece is the psychological impact of social media algorithms, which increasingly shape how young people form opinions, compare themselves to others, and confuse repetition with independent thought.
This setup for a future piece is very nice John! By mixing philosophy with humor, you will show how easily we confuse following advice with thinking independently. The message is simple that being fully alive means questioning oneself and staying humble, and carrying the responsibility.
"In fact, the book, Sham: How the Self-Help Movement Made American Helpless, suggests that you might want to avoid self-help advice entirely (does that include the advice to avoid self-help advice?)."
I think after you try some of these systems we start to accept that no system will make your life as organized as you perceive others to be.
Thinking for myself sounds so basic but many (most?) are taught the opposite from a young age. As a child my parents wanted me to think like them--socially, politically, behaviorally--and the negative messaging associated with going outside the lines stung. This left me striving for acceptance by mirroring their behaviors and thoughts regardless of what my individual self was thinking, doing, experiencing. As I matured I naturally ventured out of bounds but the alienation often shook me. It still does to a degree. At 59, I'm still learning to think for myself but it's an adventure that I savor but still can't always attain. Am I capable of truly thinking for myself? Is anyone? Life is full of questions. Thoughtful Takeaways Today from your essay even if I Avidly Avoid Alliteration.
One area I wish you include in this piece is the psychological impact of social media algorithms, which increasingly shape how young people form opinions, compare themselves to others, and confuse repetition with independent thought.
This setup for a future piece is very nice John! By mixing philosophy with humor, you will show how easily we confuse following advice with thinking independently. The message is simple that being fully alive means questioning oneself and staying humble, and carrying the responsibility.
"In fact, the book, Sham: How the Self-Help Movement Made American Helpless, suggests that you might want to avoid self-help advice entirely (does that include the advice to avoid self-help advice?)."
I think after you try some of these systems we start to accept that no system will make your life as organized as you perceive others to be.
Thinking for myself sounds so basic but many (most?) are taught the opposite from a young age. As a child my parents wanted me to think like them--socially, politically, behaviorally--and the negative messaging associated with going outside the lines stung. This left me striving for acceptance by mirroring their behaviors and thoughts regardless of what my individual self was thinking, doing, experiencing. As I matured I naturally ventured out of bounds but the alienation often shook me. It still does to a degree. At 59, I'm still learning to think for myself but it's an adventure that I savor but still can't always attain. Am I capable of truly thinking for myself? Is anyone? Life is full of questions. Thoughtful Takeaways Today from your essay even if I Avidly Avoid Alliteration.