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Many will regret being distracted by the world's problems when they could have been building their lives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxYt--CFXK0 https://ww

Many will regret being distracted by the world's problems when they could have been building their lives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxYt--CFXK0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxYt--CFXK0 > Looking back, my only Berklee classmates that got successful were the ones who were fiercely focused, determined, and undistractable. > While you’re here, presidents will change, the world will change, and the media will try to convince you how important it all is. > But it’s not. None of it matters to you now. https://sive.rs/berklee https://sive.rs/berklee

tech_ken 2y ago
Kind of repeating myself from another comment, but the person making this comment is basically standing atop one of the most singular vantage points in all of human history. To say this advice is non-generalizable is an understatement, IM personal O. Setting aside that this was the entry point of the ZIRP years (unique even among US history), the United States from 1920-2020 was basically unprecedented in terms of global hegemony, access to material resources, and scientific knowledge. Even a cursory examination of the global situation indicates that these factors are not going to hold forever, probably not even for the next 50 years. I think a prudent person has to ask themselves "do I really want to turn off the news and focus my entire being on creating a startup? Or do I want to have some Plans B-Z in case the Roman Empire falls?" It's true you can't fix everything yourself, and many people waste their lives trying, but tbh that seems less foolish than taking serious advice from an '08 UC Berkley graduation speech.
- selimthegrim 2y ago
  Wrong Berkl(ee)
  - tech_ken 2y ago
    Lmao whups
orthecreedence 2y ago
It's possible to build a life that attempts to solve the world's problems. Then you have personal accomplishments and meaningful social contribution. But your comment reads like "who cares about the planet we live on, just do whatever you want" which isn't really great advice or a particularly sustainable mindset. I'm getting strong Ayn Rand vibes.
- benatkin 2y ago
  > It's possible to build a life that attempts to solve the world's problems. The mere attempting is what I think isn't especially worthwhile. Actually helping is worthwhile. And if someone is building their life to somewhat directly solve these problems, then they aren't getting distracted. They may have chosen to become journalists or sustainability experts. Ditto if they're in a field like music paying attention but not so much attention that they're distracted. Their contributions to society within their field can often indirectly help. I see people who are pulled in a lot of different directions by their heartstrings and I don't think it's effective. Many latch on to someone like Bernie or Andrew Yang. Sivers said "the media" and I think right now it's social media. And I'm distracted by it as well. I'm going to have to do something deliberate to cut my social media distraction.

tech_ken 2y ago

Kind of repeating myself from another comment, but the person making this comment is basically standing atop one of the most singular vantage points in all of human history. To say this advice is non-generalizable is an understatement, IM personal O. Setting aside that this was the entry point of the ZIRP years (unique even among US history), the United States from 1920-2020 was basically unprecedented in terms of global hegemony, access to material resources, and scientific knowledge. Even a cursory examination of the global situation indicates that these factors are not going to hold forever, probably not even for the next 50 years. I think a prudent person has to ask themselves "do I really want to turn off the news and focus my entire being on creating a startup? Or do I want to have some Plans B-Z in case the Roman Empire falls?" It's true you can't fix everything yourself, and many people waste their lives trying, but tbh that seems less foolish than taking serious advice from an '08 UC Berkley graduation speech.

selimthegrim 2y ago
Wrong Berkl(ee)
- tech_ken 2y ago
  Lmao whups

orthecreedence 2y ago

It's possible to build a life that attempts to solve the world's problems. Then you have personal accomplishments and meaningful social contribution. But your comment reads like "who cares about the planet we live on, just do whatever you want" which isn't really great advice or a particularly sustainable mindset. I'm getting strong Ayn Rand vibes.

benatkin 2y ago
> It's possible to build a life that attempts to solve the world's problems. The mere attempting is what I think isn't especially worthwhile. Actually helping is worthwhile. And if someone is building their life to somewhat directly solve these problems, then they aren't getting distracted. They may have chosen to become journalists or sustainability experts. Ditto if they're in a field like music paying attention but not so much attention that they're distracted. Their contributions to society within their field can often indirectly help. I see people who are pulled in a lot of different directions by their heartstrings and I don't think it's effective. Many latch on to someone like Bernie or Andrew Yang. Sivers said "the media" and I think right now it's social media. And I'm distracted by it as well. I'm going to have to do something deliberate to cut my social media distraction.