Maxims for a happy life: Difference between revisions

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*If you’re a man, [[be masculine]]. Don’t apologise for who you are. Be a hero, do not wear a cape. Be like Zelensky. (''Be'' a hero; [[substance]]. ''Wearing'' a cape: [[form]].)
*If you’re a man, [[be masculine]]. Don’t apologise for who you are. Be a hero, do not wear a cape. Be like Zelensky. (''Be'' a hero; [[substance]]. ''Wearing'' a cape: [[form]].)
*[[Don’t be needy]]. Walk up escalators. Give up your seat. See: [[You’re one of the lucky ones]].
*[[Don’t be needy]]. Walk up escalators. Give up your seat. See: [[You’re one of the lucky ones]].
*[[Don’t be easily shocked]]: it’s called “the shock of the new” for a reason. Shock value isn’t the same as stock value. The longer something’s been around, the more crap it has put up with, and the more likely it is to be worthwhile. See: [[disdain fashionable ideas]].
*[[Don’t be easily shocked]]: it’s called “the shock of the new” for a reason. Shock value isn’t the same as stock value. The longer something’s been around, the more crap it has put up with, and the more likely it is to be worthwhile. See: [[disdain fashionable things. Especially ideas]].
*[[It’s just a game]]: If you derive a significant part of your self-worth from the fortunes of a dozen well-paid men<ref>Footballers.</ref> you’ve never met and over whom you have no influence, ask yourself this: is that all there is? is something ''missing'' in your life?
*[[It’s just a game]]: If you derive a significant part of your self-worth from the fortunes of a dozen well-paid men<ref>Footballers.</ref> you’ve never met and over whom you have no influence, ask yourself this: is that all there is? is something ''missing'' in your life?
*[[It’s okay to generalise]]. It’s okay to ''stereotype''. ''That’s how humans work''. We apply [[heuristic]]s. Just be ''aware'' that you’re doing it. Sometimes, generalisations are unfair. Some fail. ''All'' are provisional. It’s okay for others to stereotype you too. Deal with it: it’s not like you can stop them.  
*[[It’s okay to generalise]]. It’s okay to ''stereotype''. ''That’s how humans work''. We apply [[heuristic]]s. Just be ''aware'' that you’re doing it. Sometimes, generalisations are unfair. Some fail. ''All'' are provisional. It’s okay for others to stereotype you too. Deal with it: it’s not like you can stop them.  
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===The good stuff===
===The good stuff===
*Make gradual changes in direction, ''but lock them in''. There is an optimal degree of variability. If you vary to much, you’ll change away the good stuff. A 5% change is less volatile, more sustainable, more controllable than a 50% change, and you can tack back if you change away from some good stuff. It is safer. It is wiser. See [[evolution]].  
*Make gradual changes in direction, ''but lock them in''. There is an optimal degree of variability. If you vary to much, you’ll change away the good stuff. A 5% change is less volatile, more sustainable, more controllable than a 50% change, and you can tack back if you change away from some good stuff. It is safer. It is wiser. See [[evolution]].  
[[Be provisional. Iterate.]] be prepared to change your mind. In a complex environment make decisions based on what you know but be prepared to change them as what you know changes. Avoid making irreversible decisions. See: don’t judge.
*Be provisional. [[Iterate]]. be prepared to change your mind. In a complex environment make decisions based on what you know but be prepared to change them as what you know changes. Avoid making irreversible decisions. See: don’t judge.
*The out-sized risks and rewards are not at the top of the curve. They are down the tail.
*The out-sized risks and rewards are not at the top of the curve. They are down the tail.
The good stuff isn’t always obvious till later.
The good stuff isn’t always obvious till later.
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*[[Be useful]].
*[[Be useful]].
*[[Coin metaphors]]. Be figurative.
*[[Coin metaphors]]. Be figurative.
*[[Be good company]]. You only have four score and seven on this planet, so for Christ’s sake try and enjoy them. Don’t talk about yourself all the time, and certainly don’t go on about your problems. Sub-maxim: ''Seek out people who are good company''. Don’t waste your time on ''whiners''.
*[[Be good company]]. You only have four score and seven on this planet, so for Christ’s sake try and enjoy them. Don’t talk about yourself all the time, and certainly don’t go on about your problems. Sub-maxim: ''[[Seek out good company]]''. Don’t waste your time on ''whiners''. Tell jokes. About yourself.
*[[Be on the first lift, not in the last bar]]. Sure: it’s ski chat. If you think skiing is for wankers, [[don’t be that guy|you’re being that guy]].  
*[[Be on the first lift, not in the last bar]]. Sure: it’s ski chat. If you think skiing is for wankers, [[don’t be that guy|you’re being that guy]].  


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