It’s a simple question: What constitutes a good day? Take a few moments to think about it and see what you come up with, if you come up with anything at all. Perhaps you’ll agree with me that it’s often the most simple questions that are the toughest to answer.
Read MoreOn the universality of UBI
our societies and cultures will have to change when there are fewer jobs available and in general less work for humans to perform. In order to avoid total chaos, new mechanisms are needed for redistributing the ever-increasing amount of wealth and prosperity our machines and algorithms will be producing. UBI could be a part of the puzzle, but I sincerely hope no-one thinks it’s a magic wand that’s going to solve everything. I also believe that the fairness problem needs to be addressed in one way or another, but I’m just not sure yet how.
Read MoreLabour Day thoughts on Automation and the Future of Work
To summarize, for a long time I have been very optimistic about technological innovations and about the future in general. I’ve often even described myself as a tech enthusiast and optimist. While that’s still largely true, I’ve come to share similar worries that Kevin Roose described in his book. Making the societal and political changes needed for enabling us to live good lives in the future will be a monumental challenge. One that I sincerely hope we will succeed in solving, but knowing how incredibly irrational humans occasionally can be, it’s not at all certain that we’ll be able to rise up to the challenge.
Read MoreOf a republic's best state and of the new island Utopia
I don’t think Thomas More was 100% serious when he wrote his book about Utopia. In fact, he describes the book as “a truly golden little book, no less beneficial than entertaining”. And entertaining it is indeed. It’s funny that we’re still today using his word to describe a system we think is ideal, or even too good to be true. When reading More’s description with 21st century eyes, one might think that he’s actually describing a dystopia rather than a paradise.
Read MoreThe joy of mindful walking
To me, mindful walking simply means walking while being aware of each step and the breath. Some say it can be practiced anywhere, whether you are alone in nature or with others in a crowded city. Mindful walking works best when there’s no rush and no place to get to. You just move forward completely aware of the present moment, calmly taking one slow step after the other. If done correctly, without overdoing it, mindful walking can bring tranquility and clarity into your mind and body.
Read MoreWaking up early is smart but darn hard
Personally, I fully agree with Schopenhauer, Willink, and all the other early birds, who preach the gospel of early mornings. I can clearly see why it’s a good thing and why I should get up every morning at 5am. The problem is that it’s never been natural for me to wake up at 5am. Not even at 7am for that matter.
Read MoreHighlights from Epictetus's handbook
What where the chances that a slave, who had been beaten to lameness by his former master, would rise and become one of the most influential Stoic philosophers of all time? Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline. This shines through in his handbook, a.k.a. The Enchiridion, which is a short but useful manual for living a better life. In this article you’ll find some of the highlights from the handbook, together with some commentary of my own.
Read MoreWhat are colleges selling you?
At least three out of four things from the “college sales pitch” are such that we can replicate them ourselves, should we want to. Only accreditation is hard to replicate, but also there one could argue that it’s highly overrated, except when it comes to specialized careers. When looked upon like this, it’s easy to agree that the entire college system must change, especially in countries where attending a college causes long-term financial burdens to the students and their families.
Read MoreProust got it partly right with "we suffer, therefore we think"
According to Proust, ideas which have arisen without pain lack an important source of motivation. Mental activities can thus be divided into two categories. On the one hand, there are “painless thoughts”, sparked by no particular discomfort, e.g. having a disinterested wish to find out how sleep works. On the other hand, there are “painful thoughts”, arising out of a distressing inability to do something, e.g. not being able to sleep due to insomnia.
Read MoreSix months remaining of 2020 – a lot of weird shit can still happen
When Europeans talk about “the crazy year”, many will remember 1848 from history lessons. And indeed it was a turbulent year with new ideas and revolutions spreading across the continent like wildfire. But if the second half of 2020 turns out to be even remotely similar to the first half, it’s possible that 2020 will become our new “global crazy year”. If not in the history books, then at least in the minds of our generation.
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