happiness

Bilingual

Having Kids
3 months ago
- The author initially feared having children, viewing parents as uncool and miserable, but after having kids, found it unexpectedly wonderful.
- Having children triggered immediate biological and emotional changes, fostering a protective instinct toward all children, akin to a 'chemical switch'.
- Pre-parent observations were biased: only noticing kids in stressful situations (e.g., airplanes), missing quiet, magical moments of connection and peace.
- Children become interesting companions and friends, offering genuine fun and bonding, contrary to the author's childhood memories of parenthood as pure discipline.
- Kids reduce productivity and force a stricter schedule, but the author adapted by working within set times, accepting lower output.
- Having children may diminish ambition as attention shifts to them over personal projects, but using kids as motivation (e.g., writing for them) can counteract this.
- While missing pre-parental freedom (e.g., spontaneous travel), the author never fully used that freedom and finds more consistent happiness after having kids.
The Price of Happiness
3 months ago
- Happiness rises nearly perfectly linearly with log(income) from $10k to over $500k/year, with group-level correlations of 0.98–0.99.
- Marginal utility of dollars declines exponentially, but proportional income differences (e.g., 10% raise) have constant effect on happiness.
- Real-world incomes vary exponentially, offsetting diminishing marginal utility, so larger incomes are associated with non-diminishing happiness increments.
- In trade-offs between unequal incomes (philanthropy, compensation, tax policy), exponential differences in happiness are predicted—benefiting lower-income groups yields far larger collective happiness gains.
Surrender as a non-stupid life strategy
3 months ago
- Surrendering to a higher power or life's flow can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment, especially after achieving personal goals but still feeling unfulfilled.
- Self-knowledge involves recognizing that planning and self-image are limited; true wisdom comes from listening to the world and others rather than rigid self-concepts.
- Authenticity arises from unselfconscious actions and surrender, not from forced personas; letting go of control allows for more genuine experiences and relationships.
- Goals discovered through observation and opportunity are more effective than preconceived ones; success often comes from adapting to circumstances rather than strict planning.
- Happiness stems from accepting life as it is, reducing resistance to circumstances, and finding satisfaction in giving oneself away and fitting into one's role.
- Love and relationships thrive when based on acceptance, spontaneity, and surrender to the natural flow, rather than clinging to expectations or control.

happiness

Having Kids

The Price of Happiness

Surrender as a non-stupid life strategy