As someone whose worldview was upended over the last few years because of AI progress, this post resonates. Sometimes the situation we are in just seems absurd – like, all I can do is laugh, shrug, and then go back to what I was doing. And I think this is an emotionally healthy response. Sometimes the best reaction to reality is an unbothered acknowledgement of it’s absurdity.
But I do worry that speaking of doom like this – as if it is nearly-certain[1] – is counterproductive.
I think everyone should invest time in mentally preparing for an uncertain future. Finding a way to be okay with the possibility of disaster, while staying motivated to work hard to avoid it.[2]
This is important whether or not you think doom is likely. In all worlds, those who can be effective regardless of their perceived odds of success, are the ones most capable of succeeding.
I have personally managed to find a healthier relationship with the world; retaining some whimsy and optimism despite a sober reckoning with reality. And I feel like I can actually achieve things now, as a result.
I want others to experience this as well. The ideas have alreadybeendiscussed, but emotionally internalizing them takes a while, and it certainly did for me.
I hope we find better ways of communicating this so that all of us could get better at achieving our goals 🙂
When the emotional advice you give is downstream of that prediction. Like, Dying with Dignity or “Life may be very short. So make the next few years the best ones.”
As someone whose worldview was upended over the last few years because of AI progress, this post resonates. Sometimes the situation we are in just seems absurd – like, all I can do is laugh, shrug, and then go back to what I was doing. And I think this is an emotionally healthy response. Sometimes the best reaction to reality is an unbothered acknowledgement of it’s absurdity.
But I do worry that speaking of doom like this – as if it is nearly-certain[1] – is counterproductive.
I think everyone should invest time in mentally preparing for an uncertain future. Finding a way to be okay with the possibility of disaster, while staying motivated to work hard to avoid it.[2]
This is important whether or not you think doom is likely. In all worlds, those who can be effective regardless of their perceived odds of success, are the ones most capable of succeeding.
I have personally managed to find a healthier relationship with the world; retaining some whimsy and optimism despite a sober reckoning with reality. And I feel like I can actually achieve things now, as a result.
I want others to experience this as well. The ideas have already been discussed, but emotionally internalizing them takes a while, and it certainly did for me.
I hope we find better ways of communicating this so that all of us could get better at achieving our goals 🙂
When the emotional advice you give is downstream of that prediction. Like, Dying with Dignity or “Life may be very short. So make the next few years the best ones.”
I’ve been thinking about this comment a lot, although I can’t attest to any of the specific recommendations.