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My attitude to stories like this is simply that you can't live under the assumption that you'll die early from some freak cause. It would be a non-functional s

My attitude to stories like this is simply that you can't live under the assumption that you'll die early from some freak cause. It would be a non-functional state of life, sacrificing all long term objectives. At the end of the day all any of us can do is play the odds, and sometimes while playing X-Com that 99% chance-to-hit point blank shot by your most experienced soldier with the best equipment simply misses.

grecy 6y ago
> It would be a non-functional state of life, sacrificing all long term objectives. If your long-term objectives mean sacrificing (or delaying) happiness in the now, then I think you're doing the wrong thing. It's all well and good to have long-term objectives, and we all hope we beat our life expectancy numbers, but you have to make every effort to be happy now, and not wait for some distant and uncertain future that may or may not become reality.
- asveikau 6y ago
  A key detail here is you can't predict the future. We can all imagine situations where the long term bet pays better. We can even make that sort of prediction in a way that works a good amount of the time, even most of the time. Except sometimes it won't work out. We don't know in advance when that sometimes will be. Be prepared for either outcome I guess.
  - grecy 6y ago
    > Be prepared for either outcome I guess. Yes, exactly. Happiness now (because now is guaranteed) and (hopefully) happiness later too. But whatever you do, don't put off happiness now.
- scottLobster 6y ago
  Sacrificing present happiness for the future is the definition of a long term goal. Today I sacrificed alcohol I would have enjoyed so as to continue losing weight. If I thought I wouldn't be alive months from now to experience the benefits from said weight loss, why do it? Ironically that attitude would actually increase the odds of early-onset nastiness. Why put money into my 401k that I can't touch without penalty for 40 years when I could enjoy it now? Being content and at peace with oneself in the moment is possible, and should be striven for. But for my part I'd have a hard time being content with myself if I wasn't striving for better for both myself and my family. In my experience the only lasting satisfaction in life comes from discharging meaningful responsibilities, that requires some sacrifice of momentary happiness. Happiness is great when it's around but has no staying power, and too many people get sucked into miserable hedonism while trying to turn it into a constant.
  - kinleyd 6y ago
    Providing for an assumed future requires sacrifice and is the right bet. While doing that, understand that the journey is the destination. It's a tall order but somewhere in there is the answer to a lot of life's questions.
  - scawf 6y ago
    > Sacrificing present happiness for the future is the definition of a long term goal. > Today I sacrificed alcohol I would have enjoyed It does not mean you have sacrificed happiness. You can (I hope) be happy without drinking.

grecy 6y ago

> It would be a non-functional state of life, sacrificing all long term objectives. If your long-term objectives mean sacrificing (or delaying) happiness in the now, then I think you're doing the wrong thing. It's all well and good to have long-term objectives, and we all hope we beat our life expectancy numbers, but you have to make every effort to be happy now, and not wait for some distant and uncertain future that may or may not become reality.

asveikau 6y ago
A key detail here is you can't predict the future. We can all imagine situations where the long term bet pays better. We can even make that sort of prediction in a way that works a good amount of the time, even most of the time. Except sometimes it won't work out. We don't know in advance when that sometimes will be. Be prepared for either outcome I guess.
- grecy 6y ago
  > Be prepared for either outcome I guess. Yes, exactly. Happiness now (because now is guaranteed) and (hopefully) happiness later too. But whatever you do, don't put off happiness now.
scottLobster 6y ago
Sacrificing present happiness for the future is the definition of a long term goal. Today I sacrificed alcohol I would have enjoyed so as to continue losing weight. If I thought I wouldn't be alive months from now to experience the benefits from said weight loss, why do it? Ironically that attitude would actually increase the odds of early-onset nastiness. Why put money into my 401k that I can't touch without penalty for 40 years when I could enjoy it now? Being content and at peace with oneself in the moment is possible, and should be striven for. But for my part I'd have a hard time being content with myself if I wasn't striving for better for both myself and my family. In my experience the only lasting satisfaction in life comes from discharging meaningful responsibilities, that requires some sacrifice of momentary happiness. Happiness is great when it's around but has no staying power, and too many people get sucked into miserable hedonism while trying to turn it into a constant.
- kinleyd 6y ago
  Providing for an assumed future requires sacrifice and is the right bet. While doing that, understand that the journey is the destination. It's a tall order but somewhere in there is the answer to a lot of life's questions.
- scawf 6y ago
  > Sacrificing present happiness for the future is the definition of a long term goal. > Today I sacrificed alcohol I would have enjoyed It does not mean you have sacrificed happiness. You can (I hope) be happy without drinking.