In life, it is often taken for granted that one should pursue goals, not just very locally, but over scales of decades. The alternative is taken to be being unambitious and directionless.
I think this is pretty specific to intellectual circles (which include EA + rationality). The people I know who aren’t in these circles don’t pursue goals over the scale of decades, and aren’t hung up about that.
When people are asked for their five year plans, they become uncomfortable if they don’t have one, rather than proudly stating that they don’t currently subscribe to goal-oriented strategy at that scale.
I expect the people I’m thinking about to shrug and say “who knows” or something like that, or give a few possibilities made up on the spot (without feeling guilty that they were made up on the spot).
I think this is pretty specific to intellectual circles (which include EA + rationality). The people I know who aren’t in these circles don’t pursue goals over the scale of decades, and aren’t hung up about that.
I expect the people I’m thinking about to shrug and say “who knows” or something like that, or give a few possibilities made up on the spot (without feeling guilty that they were made up on the spot).