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Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

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Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#251

I'm not so depressed these days (thankfully) but this "realism" does tend to manifest is different ways. I'm very self-conscious about not dragging people down because some thoughts that I think daily that are normal for me, seem to be absolutely psychologically crippling for people who previously hadn't, or didn't want to think such things. Usually when I do express these thoughts they're in the form of semi-dark hu…

I've found a lot of correlation between this sort of sense of humour and the type of place I enjoy working at. Me and straight laced folk just don't get on. It doesn't work. There's an impedance mismatch whereby there are all of these invisible lines that I cross without even realising. Like yeah, dude, your job is bullshit. So is mine. Life is, and then you die. If you're not fucking around and having (harmless) fun…

I tried to comfort a co-worker who was lamenting a low productivity quarter by explaining on a long enough timescale all human productivity will likely be lost. So 90 days isn't really a big deal. She didn't see the humor in my observation.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#253

Let's be realistic: there are only humans with subjective narrow view of the world out there. And whoever will tell you that you are more/less realistic than some other category of people are judging you by their own narrow opinion of what is the ultimate-true-real-reality™. I hope this helped you to feel more depressed.

So the flat earthers are just as tuned into reality as the rest of us?

The problem is that knowledge at foundation is axiomatic and circular. When we discuss science, we agree to do it in the good faith and subscribe to certain undefined concepts and (unproven by definition) axioms: what it means to know, what are basic established facts, scientific method, logical reasoning, Occam's razor, 1 + 1 = 2, and countless others.

Flat-earthers are just biological computers like the rest of us. But there is no path to reconciliation because they were not imprinted with our axiomatic system early enough. They happily do their computing (aka thinking) like the rest of us, but their world view is wrong in our perspective, only because we subscribe to different axiomatic system.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#254
As a former sufferer, the headline is pretty dangerous, IMO. It'd be more correct to say that such people see _some aspects_ of the world more realistically, while others are totally bent out of shape. E.g. anything related to optimism and self-worth is totally out of whack: even if the person can _logically_ conclude there are reasons for optimism and non-zero self-worth, they still don't _feel_ like it's true.

So it's dangerous to suggest that their lack of optimism and self-worth is "realistic" in any way, because it never is.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#255
post #117
post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most startup founders are rich, they are just gambling with some money they have. Akin to a salaried worker gambling a small amount of their salary in a night at the casino.

Do you have any references for most startup founders being rich? Qualitatively this does not align with my experiences at all with almost any founder of a company I’ve ever met. Almost all of them risked everything.

I didn´t meant Gates or Jobs rich but wealthier than average. For them an startup is just a gamble they can afford to do comfortably.

For example: a couple of months ago I talked to a guy that was trying to decide between founding an startup or going to India to study yoga/meditation for a year (and he was not going to travel on the cheap, believe me). For him failing meant going back to work in his fathers company for a while until he gets motivated to start some other company again (or quit an go to India).

Way above most people possibilities.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#256

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or maybe the person is just an introvert or has sensory issues - then a fun party becomes a torture chamber. As me how I know.

Yeah sucks doesn't it. I'm a friendly out going person. But I just can't do pubs or bars or clubs because the noise just overwhelms me and I become a jibbering idiot. Sad times

I'm having exactly this problem at the moment. Been isolated far too long, not used to noise now, stir in some buggery of mental problems... But I' forcing myself out right now to the pub. I won't enjoy it now nor for weeks yet, but going through that is necessary if I'm going to recover.

Sometimes it's just down to repeated practice, same as anything else.

HTH and good luck.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#257
post #95

People may think I'm depressed, but I'm the polar opposite. I'm always discussing what it means to be depressed, only in an effort to find what is the will to live. I find it interesting. "When driving on the interstate, each driver has the power, with the flick of a wrist, to end it all. But they don't. Why not? What prevents people from flicking? What's worth living for?" My wife wants me to stop talking like that,…

"vacaracted" = homophone for "Baker Act'ed"? referring to the Baker Act of 1971: Florida law for involuntary examination and potential commitment for treatment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Mental_Health_Act

Interesting. I've always heard it pronounced "vacaracted".

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#258

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It doesn't matter what we SAY about the shape of the Earth though, does it? It only matters how we use/apply those theories in practice. Practical errors have consequences. Theoretical errors don't. It's just lip service without follow-through. I can SAY that the Earth is triangular and nothing will happen. Q.E.D If you insist that it is in (some way) wrong or incorrect for me to say that the Earth is triangular. Wel…

>I can't remember the last time the Earth's shape mattered to my practical, decision-making process. Did you use a GPS lately? http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast162/Unit5/gps....

I used it yes. I didn't design it.

In all the times I've used a GPS - the shape of the Earth mattered not one bit to me.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#260
post #192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I can't remember the last time the Earth's shape mattered to my practical, decision-making process. Did you use a GPS lately? http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast162/Unit5/gps....

I imagine flat earthers use GPS too and rationalise it somehow.

No different to "round-earthers" using technology which uses "flat earth" as a simplifying assumption in the design (hello! Google Maps).

Neither party seems to want to acknowledge that the other party's model works just fine within its domain of applicability.

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