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So the antidote to wanting to do interesting things and change the world is to give up on your ambition, procreate, and raise a new generation of people to go t

So the antidote to wanting to do interesting things and change the world is to give up on your ambition, procreate, and raise a new generation of people to go through the same cycle of ambition, despair, and duty? That sounds like an incredibly bleak world to live in.

nickd2001 4y ago
How about the argument that your own ambition is put on hold temporarily (possibly for a decade or more, but does that matter?), not quashed, and your kids may change the world in ways that never would have happened had they not been born?
- theodric 4y ago
  It comes down to gambling ~$500k and many years' time to make a new human who will themselves then have to gamble money and time to change the world, or investing that money and time into directly trying to influence reality myself. If I want something done right, I will do it myself, and not burden my notional kid with the obligation. Perhaps they'd just want to surf or bum around Spain, anyway.
  - nickd2001 4y ago
    When I said about kids "changing the world" I meant in the broadest possible sense. If they're surfing and bumming around Spain, why not? If they make some other people happy as well as themselves whilst doing so, that's gotta be good right? I think many people on HN are rather focused an "achieving great things", whatever that may be, which can involve starting companies or making a lot of money which is hardly a guaranteed route to happiness in fact often the opposite. So, as a happy parent who has enjoyed adventures and travelling and career to some extent etc before having a family, I just share my experience that having kids gives a lot of joy and purpose and gives something to the world, and that other things many of us strongly want to do when we're younger don't always deliver really in terms of purpose and fulfilment. So, don't rush to have kids but don't dismiss it either ;) There's a compromise. :). PS not sure where you get the $500k from. Maybe it more costly in the US.. Kids are happy without growing up in a rich household. Long as they're fed , housed , clothed, have some fun things to do. They don't need trust funds, top notch college, competitive sports etc. Sure a lot of people think they do but a lot of people think that's nonsense
sseagull 4y ago
This is very philosophical and not answerable here or anywhere. It’s also very personal. You could have ambition to change the world, help your fellow humans, cure diseases, whatever. Those are noble. You could also view life as a journey of self discovery. In that case, having children can help discover your true self. Or is it your true self? How do you know? Or maybe children are God’s gift, and it’s your religious responsibility to have children so that they can experience God’s world. Or it’s a biological trick to ensure survival of the species. That is a scientific but unfulfilling answer. There is no right or wrong answer.
pea 4y ago
Not a value judgement on either opinion, but, ironically, there is a buddhist perspective here which would rhyme with: that's exactly what you are doing in your normal life without children every second while chasing your ambition. And OP's solution of letting go of yourself is the antidote to that cycle.

nickd2001 4y ago

How about the argument that your own ambition is put on hold temporarily (possibly for a decade or more, but does that matter?), not quashed, and your kids may change the world in ways that never would have happened had they not been born?

theodric 4y ago
It comes down to gambling ~$500k and many years' time to make a new human who will themselves then have to gamble money and time to change the world, or investing that money and time into directly trying to influence reality myself. If I want something done right, I will do it myself, and not burden my notional kid with the obligation. Perhaps they'd just want to surf or bum around Spain, anyway.
- nickd2001 4y ago
  When I said about kids "changing the world" I meant in the broadest possible sense. If they're surfing and bumming around Spain, why not? If they make some other people happy as well as themselves whilst doing so, that's gotta be good right? I think many people on HN are rather focused an "achieving great things", whatever that may be, which can involve starting companies or making a lot of money which is hardly a guaranteed route to happiness in fact often the opposite. So, as a happy parent who has enjoyed adventures and travelling and career to some extent etc before having a family, I just share my experience that having kids gives a lot of joy and purpose and gives something to the world, and that other things many of us strongly want to do when we're younger don't always deliver really in terms of purpose and fulfilment. So, don't rush to have kids but don't dismiss it either ;) There's a compromise. :). PS not sure where you get the $500k from. Maybe it more costly in the US.. Kids are happy without growing up in a rich household. Long as they're fed , housed , clothed, have some fun things to do. They don't need trust funds, top notch college, competitive sports etc. Sure a lot of people think they do but a lot of people think that's nonsense

sseagull 4y ago

This is very philosophical and not answerable here or anywhere. It’s also very personal. You could have ambition to change the world, help your fellow humans, cure diseases, whatever. Those are noble. You could also view life as a journey of self discovery. In that case, having children can help discover your true self. Or is it your true self? How do you know? Or maybe children are God’s gift, and it’s your religious responsibility to have children so that they can experience God’s world. Or it’s a biological trick to ensure survival of the species. That is a scientific but unfulfilling answer. There is no right or wrong answer.

pea 4y ago

Not a value judgement on either opinion, but, ironically, there is a buddhist perspective here which would rhyme with: that's exactly what you are doing in your normal life without children every second while chasing your ambition. And OP's solution of letting go of yourself is the antidote to that cycle.