Almost everybody wants choice. Autonomy is considered one of three legs of a stool in one model of happiness, and is generally considered to be good for happiness. Yet, when you give people lots of choices, lots of people can’t decide. Or they often make a decision and become unhappy about not taking a different option later. And if the situation allows for it, they make poorly thought out decisions, regret it or just move on like it was a meaningless choice, and just take another option in endless cycles like fast fashion. Then, when some think hard about their decisions among many choices, they end up with analysis paralysis, of which the more serious kind can lead to emotion breakdowns or worse outcomes for their lives and health. But even when there is little consequence, the fact you have to make a decision, even the lightest of decision, is a burden like a duty you have to perform. So regardless of decision magnitude or difficulty, choice is a burden of freedom. I used to also think choice was a responsibility of freedom, but soon realized that a lot of people get away with poor choices and/or don’t accept responsibility for them, even when they can’t get away with it, so I removed the responsibility aspect of my views on choice and freedom.
choice
What Tattoo Would I Get If I Were to Get One?
Unlike many people I know, quite possibly most people I know, I don’t have a single or fractional tattoo on my body. The latter would be for people who either changed their minds part way through or maybe ran out of money. I only know of one such person, but I’m neither saying who it is, nor why they didn’t complete it. I only include them because if I did the actual counting, they may tip the balance between whether it’s many people I know that have tattoos, or most people I know that have tattoos. As for me, I have no tattoo, despite possibly having the greatest percentage of skin surface area able to support a tattoo among anyone I know, women included, while still having a full head of hair and no wrinkles. I am that smooth and, um, dermy?
Definition: Intertemporal Choice, Resumé Virtue, Eulogy Virtue
Three really cool and really useful terms to know today, along with a powerful understanding of gratitude’s impact on willpower, which is far harder to cultivate for the same impact gratitude can give you.
Intertemporal Choice
Process by which people make decisions about what and how much to do at various points in time, when choices at one time influence the possibilities available at other points in time (i.e. 1 marshmallow now or 2 later).
Basically what the classic Marshmallow Experiment on 4 year olds for emotional intelligence tests. But some people never really master this in real life situations more complicated and complex than this simple test.
Resumé Virtue
Virtues you want on your resumé that are like skills you bring.
Eulogy Virtue
Virtues talked about at your funeral that you might want to be remembered by.
https://twitter.com/digitalcitizen/status/1217607366381838336
Cooking and Baking with Cricket Powder from Loblaw’s
Loblaw’s in Canada recently introduced cricket powder to the food it carries. The website description is this (also see President’s Choice website).
Made with crickets farmed right here in Canada, this 100% cricket powder is a nutritious, versatile food that is high in protein and an excellent source of vitamin B12. Finely ground with a mild taste, it can be added to smoothies, sauces, chili, curries and baking batters.
CAUTION: PEOPLE WHO ARE ALLERGIC TO CRUSTACEANS AND SHELLFISH MAY HAVE AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO CRICKETS.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has a fair article on the product.
