hippie_queen

I don't disagree, except I don't get what you mean with "because we are discussing systems, not feelings."

I think artists feeling like shit in this situation is totally understandable. I'm just a dilettante painter and amateur hentai sketcher, but some of the real artists I know are practically in the middle of an existential crisis. Feeling empathy for them is not the same as thinking that we should make futile efforts to halt the progress of this technology.

No promises, but I would recommend trying Weekend (1967). I felt the same way about Breathless for a long time, until I watched it the third time and it just "clicked." It's easy to take that film way too seriously and miss the point.

That said, I don't really know why I've watched so many Godard films, since I almost never actually enjoy them (the reason is probably Anna Karina et al. hnngh). Still, he was undoubtedly a genius and I have the uttermost respect for his craft. RIP.

Your theory is reasonable and probably partially correct, but the Einstein example is quite a simplification.

I suspect the ego/arrogance thing works both ways. When you're younger you're often more willing to show the finger to existing paradigms and are perhaps arrogant enough to think you can "revolutionize physics." Naturally, most people can't do that but some make history.

(Also, I'm talking out of my ass and should probably add some history of science to my reading stack).

Well he sure seems to enjoy the practice of armchair sociology, like the rest of us.

Can confirm as a Tumblr teen

Even though I love my friends, I just don't like being available or able to be contacted all the time. I kinda miss the era of basic SMS and, for real-time chatting, MSN Messenger (or IRC). Nowadays, it feels like I can never truly "log off".

That said, I have no genuinely good reason why I haven't tried going back to a similar personal setup. Maybe it's time to see how it would work out.

It seems that the "convincing people to not get fat" project has been a massive failure so far.

Can't wait to finally sample Thomas Edison on the phonograph for my Soundcloud tracks, and not having to worry about the police knocking at my door!

For me the real challenge was that, despite everything, deep down I really didn't want to go to sleep on time. Sure, tomorrow will be worse with sleep deprivation, but I LOVE the blissful peace and quiet of the night. My best and longest sleep is during the times when I can afford to not give a shit when I go to bed and when I wake up. But it's rare to be in such a position.

One thing that really helped me to keep a "normal" sleep schedule: 0.3 mg of melatonin 7 hours before planned bedtime. I think it was the Slate Star Codex dude who recommended this and, to my surprise, it worked pretty well!

I can see your point, but it seems to me that today's youth might be different. Arguably, climate activism and the general frustration of nothing changing is a much bigger thing than before. I do agree that spreading doom and gloom is problematic/often ineffective (and dangerous because of hopelessness, self fulfilling prophecies and all that). However, it can also instill a very justified sense of urgency that motivates one to action.

But yeah... It's a hard and sad topic, and I'm generally naive and don't know shit. Maybe it could be helpful to focus more on creativity & solution-oriented futures that don't deny the shittiness of climate change, but still seem livable enough (e.g. solarpunk or something like that).