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Nine things I learned in ninety years

edwardpackard.com

41–50 of 405 posts

Re: Nine things I learned in ninety years

#41
post #36

> what an outsized role is played by luck This speaks to me. So much of our life circumstances are beyond our control (parents, genetics, geography, society, wider economy, etc.) It's humbling, how much of our success or failure is influenced by pure chance.

[flagged]

Re: Nine things I learned in ninety years

#43
post #40

Since he might not be known to most (especially a younger audience), the author is a writer best known for many of the Choose Your Own Adventure books that were hugely successful in the 80s. Jimmy Maher wrote about them recently https://www.filfre.net/2025/09/choose-your-own-adventure/

He's also the grandfather of David Cornswet, the actor playing Superman in the latest movie.

Re: Nine things I learned in ninety years

#45
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I gave up on humans and this system. There are no good experiences to be made with others. Everything is a transaction nowadays and there is no altruism. Believe it or not, I am an altruist because I dont care anymore. I dont expect anything from anyone, I dont strive to be happy because its impossible to be happy with the current state of the world (at least im not ignorant enough to try and be happy). I am nice to…

I know right? I don't know what all other people replying to you are doing. I just play Cyberpunk, I finished it yesterday. I guess I'll play the new Dying Light next. Some people play golf. I don't know what other "happiness" there can be, though I am interested if anyone has anything to share that I don't know.

> I don't know what other "happiness" there can be

Bro I can name like 20 games that are better than Cyberpunk if you want, your bar is really low if this is your standard of happiness

Re: Nine things I learned in ninety years

#46
post #18

Love these. This quote stuck out to me: > It follows, I think, that the luckier you’ve been, the more humility and generous spiritedness you need, and the unluckier you’ve been, the more compassion for yourself you need, and unfair as it may seem, the more you need irrepressible resolve.

Yeah, especially this one really resonates with me as well.

Re: Nine things I learned in ninety years

#47
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I don't know what other "happiness" there can be Playing Factorio or Satisfactory?

Huh. Are those factory building games really that good? I never tried, but I feel like I would get bored. It's like playing Minecraft in single player (I guess).

Obviously, this is very personal and YMMV, but:

They're some of the most engrossing games I've ever played.

Factorio is the only game I ever started a session with a friend at 9pm on a work night saying "just a couple of hours" and ended up playing until 5am.

They have this kind of bad side that they almost feel productive, too, where you redesign/rebuild something and fix a problem you had and suddenly the hours spent feel like you did something worthwhile.

I find them very fun and not at all boring. I almost entire solo them but playing multiplayer with good friends who want to play productively, they're even better.

Re: Nine things I learned in ninety years

#48
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're confusing kindness with being a pushover. You can be kind and self-respecting at the same time. Your last two comments here make me suspect you suffer from some kind of traumatic abuse you haven't had the chance to poperly recover from yet.

I gave up on humans and this system. There are no good experiences to be made with others. Everything is a transaction nowadays and there is no altruism. Believe it or not, I am an altruist because I dont care anymore. I dont expect anything from anyone, I dont strive to be happy because its impossible to be happy with the current state of the world (at least im not ignorant enough to try and be happy). I am nice to…

I'm not disagreeing with you in regards to the state of the world, I'm addressing your suicide fantasies. Please believe me, I mean this is the most respectful way: please seek help.

Re: Nine things I learned in ninety years

#49
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I don't know what other "happiness" there can be Playing Factorio or Satisfactory?

Huh. Are those factory building games really that good? I never tried, but I feel like I would get bored. It's like playing Minecraft in single player (I guess).

> Are those factory building games really that good?

Factorio most certainly is.

In the same way Heroin is really that good.

Re: Nine things I learned in ninety years

#50
post #36

> what an outsized role is played by luck This speaks to me. So much of our life circumstances are beyond our control (parents, genetics, geography, society, wider economy, etc.) It's humbling, how much of our success or failure is influenced by pure chance.

An even more outsized role is played by a virtuous life. It may not make you a billionaire, but if you finish high school, get a full-time job once you finish school, get married before you have children, then you are quite likely to have a good life.

We are doing a disservice to our fellow man by not telling them this truth.

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