There’s a value judgment here of course as well as an objective one. I think a few who think they want a billion dollars are right and should actually go for it because they have the talents and a healthy pathway. Others, for various reasons, are wrong, and mostly shouldn’t.
Conversation
Cf: "Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires."
— John Steinbeck
2
11
43
A lot of the responses are suggestions I just can’t see discontented types following, like ever. They strike me as “you have one innate trait X. To address problems it causes, develop this other innate trait Y.”
Like “you want to be good at basketball? First be tall.”
1
5
It’s a general problem with advice. Personality issues can only be addressed using other traits and circumstances that are likely to accompany them. Not criticizing the responses. Many are good for the fraction of people they might apply to. The problem is the fraction is small.
1
6
Eg: I’m sure gratitude journaling helps manage discontent. I just think the intersection of “discontented people” and “people who will give gratitude journaling a serious try” is very small. Most people attracted to the practice are probably not seriously discontented.
3
1
6
Mostly, I only see dramatic personality changes in people in the brief windows after acute shock/trauma events and/or major life circumstance changes like a new city or job.
1
14
It’s like we unconsciously recognize some personality issues as so foundational, we only attack them when there is a window of opportunity to reset foundations because of a major boundary condition changing.
3
1
18
It’s subtle. You can tell they’re not content to be discontented because they’re trying remedies all around it. You can tell it’s not working because it’s not working and their frustration is compounding. My (possibly wrong) hypothesis is they’re in denial about discontent.
Quote Tweet
Replying to @vgr
I kind of agree but then also if someone is discontent enough (and conscious of it – big if!), then would they not be motivated to try xyz?
Meaning they don't have to feel innately attracted to it, just bothered enough by current state to try solutions
1
1
This thread is probably ill-posed in some way. But there’s a there there. It’s not one of those “it’s not a problem if they don’t think it’s a problem.”
Like a gravity lens effect. You know the black hole is there because light warps around it.
3
1
Replying to
I’m confused by this; I don’t really grok the “contentment/discontent” axis firsthand, can’t tell if I’m more or less content than average, etc. contentment doesn’t feel clearly like a thing more people should learn to achieve the way happiness is.
2
1
Replying to
We've only met once, but you struck me as pretty content outside of specific areas that aren't discontents so much as steady-burn ambitions. Might be a good question to ask people who know you better.
curiously, I am the opposite... I find 'happiness' to be ill-posed and I don't grok it, but I grok contentment
I have no idea whether or not I'm happy, and kinda don't care, but I like being mostly contented and would like to stay there
1
Show replies


