Being Happier Today
make it a priority
Big Nerds Late Night Edition - Quick and Easy
Happiness Today - Lower on Average with Higher Potential
We live at a time in history with the highest potential for happiness. Each of us is capable of reaching historic levels of happiness. But sadly, the average person is probably less happy than at most times in history.
That Brings us To Two Factors:
High potential because we have so many tools to enhance positive experiences and avoid disastrous events
Low average because we’ve replaced family and community with state and market
No More Family and Community
For thousands of years, it was too costly for an empire to have a single rule of law applied and enforced across their entire land. To solve that, communities and families would self-govern.
Nobody acted as an individual. You always acted as a representative of your family and community because they were liable for what you did and vise-versa.
That meat less freedom and individuality (things we value highly today) but also less isolation. You were always a part of something bigger.
We replaced that a few hundred years ago with governments and markets. We all answer to the same laws and nobody is responsible for your actions except yourself.
New Shiny Tools
Modern medicine means you don’t need to be worried about a typhus outbreak (health). Less illness.
Modern food innovations mean you’re more likely today to die of obesity than of malnourishment. Less starvation.
Modern technologies mean you can call your family and talk face-to-face from the opposite side of the planet. Less isolation.
What’s This Mean For Me?
To be happy, you need family and community. Your job is to prioritize yours. Use the tools you have today to enhance your connections, not draw your further away.
Question of The Day
Who do you love? Why don’t you build your world around those people more?
Your Friend,
Noah “BigNerd” Sochaczevski