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I think the point is not that humans can learn to cope with urban environments, like you suggest - The point is that humans weren't meant to live in them. Every

I think the point is not that humans can learn to cope with urban environments, like you suggest - The point is that humans weren't meant to live in them. Everything the parent poster says is true, and you're just saying "Humans can get to a point where it's tolerable." I for one think I should not have a verbal and visual barrage of bullshit hit me with full force everyday, powered by the interests of multinational tech companies or governments. Peace and quiet is something that should be treasured, not lost and then made up for with mental tricks.

workerIbe 9y ago
Funny, at any moment I might agree with each of you. One moment (actually a few days) I will dream of a simpler time or maybe some post apocalyptic future another I am soaking in the barrage quite amused by it and the puzzle of it's purpose and yet another influencing and enjoying those around me. I have no plan ( more than a few days), I live in the moment.
Banthum 9y ago
You could consider going to live in a rural area and getting a simpler job. It's a real option and many people choose it.
- crush-n-spread 9y ago
  I appreciate the suggestion. I am 22 and happened to grow up in a very small town of ~400 people without internet until I was 16. I moved to the city to get software work and I will stay here for the rest of my life. So I guess I'm a hypocrite.
ghthor 9y ago
I agree. My long term plan with my life is to acquire the wealth and knowledge to build and maintain my own life using permaculture. I'd say I agree with you and the thread OP that we weren't made to live in these nasty, dirty, stressing urban environments. My main point is that the knowledge in this article arms you with the idea that you can cope and live within these non-humane environments by basically hacking your brain(avoiding negative prediction paths). You could call it raising your awareness to a higher level of consciousness. So, while you still might notice from time to time someone is doing something gross or that would annoy you, you no longer focus on it. You let it go, you focus on something else, your breathe, your balance, what you making for dinner, how much you love someone, how bad our infrastructure is, how to solve that problem at work, how not to solve that problem at work, how did that nasty ass smear get on the subway door's window?
- crush-n-spread 9y ago
  I think you make a good point calling it 'A higher level of consciousness'. It makes a lot of sense: In rural environments there is less stimulus and so your brain adapts less; in a city environment, there is a lot of stimulus, so if you want to manage your emotions and productivity, you must adapt. I submit that the conscious brain adaptations that a person makes will give them greater emotional and mental control, or willpower.
enjo 9y ago
The premise that "humans were meant" to do anything is a strange one.
- ghthor 9y ago
  This lecture[1] about barefoot running by a Podiatrist has a great quote in it in response to the some bare foot enthusiasts saying, "Humans were born to run." "Humans were born with one purpose, to reproduce then die." I agree, All other "purposes"(happiness, satisfaction, etc.) serve this mandate, reproduction. [1] https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGtryE0TPZPESgSYbVjQz2XXyBhdN2j8b https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGtryE0TPZPESgSYbVjQz...

workerIbe 9y ago

Funny, at any moment I might agree with each of you. One moment (actually a few days) I will dream of a simpler time or maybe some post apocalyptic future another I am soaking in the barrage quite amused by it and the puzzle of it's purpose and yet another influencing and enjoying those around me. I have no plan ( more than a few days), I live in the moment.

Banthum 9y ago

You could consider going to live in a rural area and getting a simpler job. It's a real option and many people choose it.

crush-n-spread 9y ago
I appreciate the suggestion. I am 22 and happened to grow up in a very small town of ~400 people without internet until I was 16. I moved to the city to get software work and I will stay here for the rest of my life. So I guess I'm a hypocrite.

ghthor 9y ago

I agree. My long term plan with my life is to acquire the wealth and knowledge to build and maintain my own life using permaculture. I'd say I agree with you and the thread OP that we weren't made to live in these nasty, dirty, stressing urban environments. My main point is that the knowledge in this article arms you with the idea that you can cope and live within these non-humane environments by basically hacking your brain(avoiding negative prediction paths). You could call it raising your awareness to a higher level of consciousness. So, while you still might notice from time to time someone is doing something gross or that would annoy you, you no longer focus on it. You let it go, you focus on something else, your breathe, your balance, what you making for dinner, how much you love someone, how bad our infrastructure is, how to solve that problem at work, how not to solve that problem at work, how did that nasty ass smear get on the subway door's window?

crush-n-spread 9y ago
I think you make a good point calling it 'A higher level of consciousness'. It makes a lot of sense: In rural environments there is less stimulus and so your brain adapts less; in a city environment, there is a lot of stimulus, so if you want to manage your emotions and productivity, you must adapt. I submit that the conscious brain adaptations that a person makes will give them greater emotional and mental control, or willpower.

enjo 9y ago

The premise that "humans were meant" to do anything is a strange one.

ghthor 9y ago
This lecture[1] about barefoot running by a Podiatrist has a great quote in it in response to the some bare foot enthusiasts saying, "Humans were born to run." "Humans were born with one purpose, to reproduce then die." I agree, All other "purposes"(happiness, satisfaction, etc.) serve this mandate, reproduction. [1] https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGtryE0TPZPESgSYbVjQz2XXyBhdN2j8b https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGtryE0TPZPESgSYbVjQz...