I also just read - or at least, skimmed, the Comfort Crisis. I just could not get behind the bro-i-ness of the whole thing and the fact that the author is sloppy with the way he reads the science (to paraphrase - we're living longer, but we are also getting more diseases is one of his main talking points early on - uh yeah. a lot of dise…
I also just read - or at least, skimmed, the Comfort Crisis. I just could not get behind the bro-i-ness of the whole thing and the fact that the author is sloppy with the way he reads the science (to paraphrase - we're living longer, but we are also getting more diseases is one of his main talking points early on - uh yeah. a lot of diseases are associated with advanced age..... honestly, I was turned off from the intro where he referred to stressors that humans have faced for *millions* of years - millions? oy.)
However, I think there is a core message in there which is important to reflect on which is that discomfort is important for our development individually and socially. I don't think this is a particularly new idea, we have lots of language around character being "forged in the crucible of combat" - but it's interesting to note that there is science to support that. I don't think it means we need to all go on month-long treks in the Denali to be better people, but I do think that we need to be more willing to take on projects that bring us into the discomfort zone.
I agree with you. It’s definitely written like a magazine article, which matches the author’s background. And the hypermasculinity of it all made me laugh. But it still made me think about the craving for comfort and when that’s helpful and when it’s not. I’m interested to read his new book, Scarcity Brain.
I also just read - or at least, skimmed, the Comfort Crisis. I just could not get behind the bro-i-ness of the whole thing and the fact that the author is sloppy with the way he reads the science (to paraphrase - we're living longer, but we are also getting more diseases is one of his main talking points early on - uh yeah. a lot of diseases are associated with advanced age..... honestly, I was turned off from the intro where he referred to stressors that humans have faced for *millions* of years - millions? oy.)
However, I think there is a core message in there which is important to reflect on which is that discomfort is important for our development individually and socially. I don't think this is a particularly new idea, we have lots of language around character being "forged in the crucible of combat" - but it's interesting to note that there is science to support that. I don't think it means we need to all go on month-long treks in the Denali to be better people, but I do think that we need to be more willing to take on projects that bring us into the discomfort zone.
I agree with you. It’s definitely written like a magazine article, which matches the author’s background. And the hypermasculinity of it all made me laugh. But it still made me think about the craving for comfort and when that’s helpful and when it’s not. I’m interested to read his new book, Scarcity Brain.
Also - great newsletter as always!