Comment by throwaway987651 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by throwaway987651 | Hacker News Reader

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throwaway987651

I have a related question:

I've been a successful consultant, though that's tailed off the last 5 years.

A lot of what's in the other thread [1] rings very true. I'm massively torn in all directions, learn for the sake of learning and never have any ideas with whatI want to do with what I learn.

HOWEVER... the big difference, and one I have struggled with for years, but more so recently is... "why bother?" to do anything. Money no longer motivates. I don't believe in technological progress, I want the world to be different and can't accept it as it is. I want people to be nice to each other, in a utopian way that thinks I can make them happy and doesn't allow for their emotions.. I can't say the thought of anything in the world excites me.

I'm overwhelmed by the volume of information, but even more so by the volume of opinions. Take even a simple long-running one, what to believe religiously. I can hear one side, then the other, then another... and each in turn (usually) makes sense. There's not enough info to say one is right, but which is right?? Because each believes their point is right, and yet if I held a different position all would criticise me. I can't resolve that dichotomy.

Am I burned out like this chap talks about? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8976685

Or is it something deeper like Borderline Personality Disorder?

I turned 30 this year, and spending my days wishing I knew what to do with meaning wasn't what I expected to do.

1. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9049208

It sounds like you're suffering from some ennui. I wouldn't get too caught up in worrying whether it's a disorder or something. It will probably pass. I suggest making a pivot. Put that idealism to use and join up with a cause. You might find it gives you a sense of purpose you're missing.

For example, I was bored with engineering and decided to do Teach For America 7 years ago. It turned out to be a very difficult experience, but I feel like I had a meaningful impact. It was also life changing for me in many positive ways.

TFA's definitely not for everyone, but perhaps you have an analogous passion you could pursue. You don't have to wait to make your next move until you want to know what you want to do with the rest of your life. Just make a definitive choice, put your all into it for a year or two, and then reevaluate from there.

I'm overwhelmed by the volume of information, but even more so by the volume of opinions. Take even a simple long-running one, what to believe religiously. I can hear one side, then the other, then another... and each in turn (usually) makes sense. There's not enough info to say one is right, but which is right?? Because each believes their point is right, and yet if I held a different position all would criticise me. I can't resolve that dichotomy.

I feel you hear. A couple years back, it occurred to me that we might be in a post-fact society. There's so much data out there that any position can be supported by such-and-such's study or so-and-so's historiography. For me, the answer is to seek principles instead of data. I think there's also a tendency for people to pontificate about things without ever seeing the reality on the ground.

All the best to you in your decisions. Shoot me an e-mail if you like.

Thank you, your post-fact thoughts are really (cough) thought provoking, in a good way.

And making a pivot: absolutely. I'd like to get in touch with what I believe in or am passionate about first rather than just jump, but may have to! Having a wife and starting a family in the next couple of years complicates things more than some other commenters, but we are discussing it already. Just got to do something.

Thanks for your reply - I've saved your email address for the future :)

Also consider reading Alasdair MacIntyre's "After Virtue" if you're interested in philosophy (it takes effort, but rewards the reader). It characterizes modern society as emotivist. When you say:

I'm overwhelmed by the volume of information, but even more so by the volume of opinions. Take even a simple long-running one, what to believe religiously. I can hear one side, then the other, then another... and each in turn (usually) makes sense. There's not enough info to say one is right, but which is right?? Because each believes their point is right, and yet if I held a different position all would criticise me. I can't resolve that dichotomy.

You are describing emotivism.

As an antidote to emotivism, MacIntyre suggests we rekindle an Aristotelian account of the virtues and cultivate them through practices. For example, cultivate those attributes (virtues) which aid in rigorous pursuit of mastery in a discipline (practice). Herein lies meaning and the good life for man.

Why ask here? Think about what you're asking, maybe there's a better place find your answer.

Because in the 5 years I've been looking, I've failed to find it?

If you know a better place - do share.

Try psychedelic mushrooms.

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