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Because, at least for some people, it put their minor problems into perspective. After which they apply the proper amount of emotional response to minor problem

Because, at least for some people, it put their minor problems into perspective. After which they apply the proper amount of emotional response to minor problem.

projektir 10y ago
Hence the question about the framework, because what kind of a resolution is that if you stop and think about it for a second? You saw something really bad and that made you feel better about things? Your life is a bit better than theirs, what does this mean? It doesn't make yours suddenly better. And it certainly makes the whole world worse. Those people are part of the world you live in, and your world just got worse. Someone gave you a random number. Say, 23. You have a biological device programmed to set this random number as your "default". It has no frame of reference. It's not objective. All it does is tell you things are bad when you feel lower than that number, and good when you feel higher than that number. Then you found someone else and their number is a lot lower. Like, 6. You have now decided that your number is pretty awesome because it's so much higher than theirs! Later, you see someone with a 50. And you're jealous because they're a lot higher than you. Except you have never seen the full graph. You don't even have any way to really evaluate "so much higher" except that same biological device that you so hastily discredited. Maybe the max number is 30. Or 50. Or a 100. Or a million. And the most important thing - your number is still 23. You didn't put your problems in perspective. To have perspective, you need to know how wide the possibility set is, and you don't know that. All you did is calibrated down, and reduced your expectations. But that doesn't change reality. Your minor problem may as well be bigger than you imagine it, you have no frame of reference, how can you possibly tell?
- qu4z-2 10y ago
  I don't think the world gets worse by finding out that someone has a bad life. The bad things would exist whether you learned about them or not. I think knowing about other, bad lives can remind people of all the things they have and take for granted. We tend to focus on the things we don't have, but if you can appreciate the things you do have, you'll be much happier.
- Clubber 10y ago
  Think of it this way. One day, guaranteed, you will have at least one very serious problem. Be happy that day isn't today. Study history and realize how much worse your life could be, random or not, and be happy you aren't in that hell. An old yet succinct term would be, "count your blessings." You should find things to be thankful for every day. Your health, your family, the fact that you aren't starving. The fact that you have access to clean water. And for Christ's sake, stop consuming news for a while. If you have to worry, pick the top 3 things to worry about and ditch the rest.

Because, at least for some people, it put their minor problems into perspective. After which they apply the proper amount of emotional response to minor problem.

projektir 10y ago

Hence the question about the framework, because what kind of a resolution is that if you stop and think about it for a second? You saw something really bad and that made you feel better about things? Your life is a bit better than theirs, what does this mean? It doesn't make yours suddenly better. And it certainly makes the whole world worse. Those people are part of the world you live in, and your world just got worse. Someone gave you a random number. Say, 23. You have a biological device programmed to set this random number as your "default". It has no frame of reference. It's not objective. All it does is tell you things are bad when you feel lower than that number, and good when you feel higher than that number. Then you found someone else and their number is a lot lower. Like, 6. You have now decided that your number is pretty awesome because it's so much higher than theirs! Later, you see someone with a 50. And you're jealous because they're a lot higher than you. Except you have never seen the full graph. You don't even have any way to really evaluate "so much higher" except that same biological device that you so hastily discredited. Maybe the max number is 30. Or 50. Or a 100. Or a million. And the most important thing - your number is still 23. You didn't put your problems in perspective. To have perspective, you need to know how wide the possibility set is, and you don't know that. All you did is calibrated down, and reduced your expectations. But that doesn't change reality. Your minor problem may as well be bigger than you imagine it, you have no frame of reference, how can you possibly tell?

qu4z-2 10y ago
I don't think the world gets worse by finding out that someone has a bad life. The bad things would exist whether you learned about them or not. I think knowing about other, bad lives can remind people of all the things they have and take for granted. We tend to focus on the things we don't have, but if you can appreciate the things you do have, you'll be much happier.
Clubber 10y ago
Think of it this way. One day, guaranteed, you will have at least one very serious problem. Be happy that day isn't today. Study history and realize how much worse your life could be, random or not, and be happy you aren't in that hell. An old yet succinct term would be, "count your blessings." You should find things to be thankful for every day. Your health, your family, the fact that you aren't starving. The fact that you have access to clean water. And for Christ's sake, stop consuming news for a while. If you have to worry, pick the top 3 things to worry about and ditch the rest.