zlacker

>>diodor+(OP)
I read this blog post the other day about the hedonic treadmill that influenced my thinking a lot:

https://www.optimallyirrational.com/p/the-aim-of-maximising-...

Consider this 1940s ad for a "house that runs like magic", powered by gas:

https://wip.gatspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/AGAAd-1...

I'm already living this dream life from the 1940s. I have a range, a refrigerator, "permanent hot springs", heating, and air conditioning.

I've had that stuff all my life. It's normal for me. I don't appreciate it.

Perhaps in addition to Progress Studies, we need some sort of neo-mindfulness gratitude journaling movement, focused on appreciating all of the awesome technology that's already widespread.

People demonstrate sophistication by explaining why things suck. It's not cool or fashionable to dwell on life's simple pleasures. Perhaps it's time to take a bold stand for naivete. https://xkcd.com/606/

>>0xDEAF+WJd
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about the incredible conveniences we have at our disposal. Yet there are still many places around the world today which do not have clean water, let alone hot clean water, immediately, whenever. Refrigeration, painkillers, free time for hobbies, arts, and sports.

Once you start thinking about all the things you already have, asking for more seems selfish. All I wish for is these 'basic' conveniences for everybody in the world, not just me and my peers.

>>evrimo+rNd
The internet. (Almost) all the world's information, when I want it, for free. I don't even have to go to a library.

Clean air.

Enough food. Enough food that the problem is obesity, not starvation.

Freedom to speak my mind.

When you add it all up... wow. It's immense.

We should have had this thread a couple weeks ago, at Thanksgiving.