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People will defend their self-inflicted misery. This is a big part of the dynamic of alcoholism, drug addiction, bad relationships, and stupid dogmatic ideolog

by api 15y ago

People will defend their self-inflicted misery. This is a big part of the dynamic of alcoholism, drug addiction, bad relationships, and stupid dogmatic ideologies. I've always thought that hell would be a place where everyone burns for eternity, but there's a way to turn off the flames. They never do because they are afraid of change, and because burning for eternity is a part of their self-identity.

Swizec 15y ago
Just wanted to thank you for giving me an awesome tweet/quote/thing. Paraphrased as such: "Hell is a place where everyone burns for eternity, but doesn't put out the flames because they're afraid of change."
stcredzero 15y ago
People will defend their self-inflicted misery. This is a big part of the dynamic of alcoholism, drug addiction, bad relationships, and stupid dogmatic ideologies. I bet it plays into working life and the various "geek scenes".
- Psyonic 15y ago
  Of course it does. The "geek's" stereotypical problems with women is a prison of his own design. Same with all sorts of health and diet issues.
  - stcredzero 15y ago
    I just lost 14 pounds. However, the instincts around body homeostasis are very, very strong. I don't think it's reasonable to presume that it's all self sabotage. http://lesswrong.com/lw/ab/akrasia_and_shangrila/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/ab/akrasia_and_shangrila/
    - Psyonic 15y ago
      Sure, but people manage to do it all the time. Like this girl on reddit today: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/hlgtb/iama_24_yo_girl_who_has_lost_137lbs_and_changed/ http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/hlgtb/iama_24_yo_girl_... Btw, I lost 20 pounds in the last 6 months, so I know what it's like. That said, once you make it a habit, it's not that bad. The hardest thing with food is avoiding "just one cigarette". Just takes a few days of crappy eating / not exercising for your old habits to take over again. You really have to watch out for that.
nate_meurer 15y ago
Goddamn, that last sentence is a profound statement. I see it happen around me over and over again. Very well said.

by api 15y ago

Swizec 15y ago

Just wanted to thank you for giving me an awesome tweet/quote/thing. Paraphrased as such: "Hell is a place where everyone burns for eternity, but doesn't put out the flames because they're afraid of change."

stcredzero 15y ago

People will defend their self-inflicted misery. This is a big part of the dynamic of alcoholism, drug addiction, bad relationships, and stupid dogmatic ideologies. I bet it plays into working life and the various "geek scenes".

Psyonic 15y ago
Of course it does. The "geek's" stereotypical problems with women is a prison of his own design. Same with all sorts of health and diet issues.
- stcredzero 15y ago
  I just lost 14 pounds. However, the instincts around body homeostasis are very, very strong. I don't think it's reasonable to presume that it's all self sabotage. http://lesswrong.com/lw/ab/akrasia_and_shangrila/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/ab/akrasia_and_shangrila/
  - Psyonic 15y ago
    Sure, but people manage to do it all the time. Like this girl on reddit today: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/hlgtb/iama_24_yo_girl_who_has_lost_137lbs_and_changed/ http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/hlgtb/iama_24_yo_girl_... Btw, I lost 20 pounds in the last 6 months, so I know what it's like. That said, once you make it a habit, it's not that bad. The hardest thing with food is avoiding "just one cigarette". Just takes a few days of crappy eating / not exercising for your old habits to take over again. You really have to watch out for that.

nate_meurer 15y ago

Goddamn, that last sentence is a profound statement. I see it happen around me over and over again. Very well said.