Until recently, culture was try to push people in the direction of getting out of the pool now and then. Imea: You should be a sucker and give up the chance to sit in that pool all day working for other people. But it wasn't always this way, and i don't think it comes so naturally to us. Religion also reminds you that there's other virtues an then happiness, and tries to virtues within you.
Author and psychologist Paul Bloom of the University of Toronto talks about his book, The Sweet Spot, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Bloom argues that suffering is underrated--suffering is part of happiness and meaning. This is a wide-ranging discussion of popular culture, religion, and what we hope to get out of life.