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>I think we are losing the ability to take a break. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've been feeling a huge sense of urgency lately. The news just keeps com

>I think we are losing the ability to take a break. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've been feeling a huge sense of urgency lately. The news just keeps coming that endemic corruption has finally eaten through the woodwork, and I feel like if I don't take the opportunity to learn while the learning is good, I'll be screwed in 2-5 years when the norms collapse. I guess that's a similar mindset to 'preppers', but I'm focusing on knowledge rather than things. Soon enough, I probably won't be able to look up how to...oh I dunno, make a blacksmithing forge on the cheap. Maybe if we felt like we lived in a stable situation, we'd be more able to step back and breathe. Relentlessly tap-dancing on quicksand isn't good for anyone's mental health.

maxxxxx 9y ago
When you look at today's world compared to the first half of the 20th century this is nothing if that is of any comfort.
- leggomylibro 9y ago
  It is, but the people in those eras bled and died for the protections that we are starting to eschew rather than strengthen. And people do have less time today than they did in the early 20th century. Smartphones have made sure of that. Maybe it's a moral failing to waste a significant amount of time on them, but do you know many people who don't? It seems more like a reliable exploit than an individual failing to me. "Things used to be worse" cannot be used to excuse "things will not get better."
  - maxxxxx 9y ago
    "Things used to be worse" cannot be used to excuse "things will not get better." Certainly not. But we shouldn't forget that we have it pretty good and make sure we keep it that way and build upon it.
CM30 9y ago
> I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've been feeling a huge sense of urgency lately. The news just keeps coming that endemic corruption has finally eaten through the woodwork, and I feel like if I don't take the opportunity to learn while the learning is good, I'll be screwed in 2-5 years when the norms collapse. I think you can blame that on social media, the mainstream media and the internet in general. There's definitely a 'sky is falling' panic on sites like Twitter and Reddit. Might be best to sometimes switch off your smartphone, avoid TV news and take it easy.

maxxxxx 9y ago

When you look at today's world compared to the first half of the 20th century this is nothing if that is of any comfort.

leggomylibro 9y ago
It is, but the people in those eras bled and died for the protections that we are starting to eschew rather than strengthen. And people do have less time today than they did in the early 20th century. Smartphones have made sure of that. Maybe it's a moral failing to waste a significant amount of time on them, but do you know many people who don't? It seems more like a reliable exploit than an individual failing to me. "Things used to be worse" cannot be used to excuse "things will not get better."
- maxxxxx 9y ago
  "Things used to be worse" cannot be used to excuse "things will not get better." Certainly not. But we shouldn't forget that we have it pretty good and make sure we keep it that way and build upon it.

CM30 9y ago

> I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've been feeling a huge sense of urgency lately. The news just keeps coming that endemic corruption has finally eaten through the woodwork, and I feel like if I don't take the opportunity to learn while the learning is good, I'll be screwed in 2-5 years when the norms collapse. I think you can blame that on social media, the mainstream media and the internet in general. There's definitely a 'sky is falling' panic on sites like Twitter and Reddit. Might be best to sometimes switch off your smartphone, avoid TV news and take it easy.