Re:The red warning light on Richard Branson’s space flight
by jlawson on Friday September 03, 2021 @01:13AM
(#28400613)
Fitness goals are generally related to romatic goals.
Romantic goals are inherently competitive - if you succeed, you're taking the partner from whoever else would have gotten her had you never existed.
Financial freedom isn't competitive really, you're right.
Altruism is borderline, given how much of "altruistic" activity is really about social signaling and competitive status games through conspicuous giving. Even if subconsciously.
All the above are day-to-day goals though, except perhaps altruism. By not day-to-day I mean something beyond satisfying the desires of your physical body to feel good, fuck, eat well, be safe, be admired, etc. Goals about species, deep time, eternal questions, the fate of the environment or the planet.
No, you're overgeneralizing.
As counter-examples: - fitness goals - financial freedom goals (eg the FIRE communities) - altruistic goals - romantic goals (impress a potential partner)
are all proof that humans can be motivated by health/desire for physical well-being, kindness, compassion and personal comfort to progress to goals beyond the day-to-day.
Competition motivates some progress, but there are other sources of motivation as well :)