Advice To Avoid, The Dark Side of Therapy, and Taking Your Own Medicine
whatshot 233 snips
Dec 4, 2024
Why do some of us resist good advice while others cling to it? The discussion takes a humorous turn as they critique the oversimplification of self-help and the need for tailored guidance. Therapy culture gets examined for its societal implications, suggesting it might fill deeper voids in modern life. They navigate the tricky balance between personal productivity and simplicity, highlighting the often-overlooked challenges of living by our own advice. Ultimately, the conversation pushes against the grain of universal solutions.
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insights INSIGHT
Actionable Advice Paradox
The self-help industry's focus on actionable advice can be counterproductive.
It discourages personal responsibility and the internalization of success.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Rebellion Against Advice
Mark Manson and Drew Burney discuss their aversion to following advice.
They share personal examples of receiving good advice about health and relationships but choosing not to follow it.
insights INSIGHT
Individualized Advice
Generic advice often fails because individual circumstances vary greatly.
Manson avoids prescriptive advice due to his diverse audience and the importance of individual problem-solving.
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Abigail Shrier's "Bad Therapy" delves into the increasing trend of pathologizing normal childhood behaviors. The book examines how the therapeutic landscape has shifted, leading to the overdiagnosis and treatment of children for conditions that may simply be part of typical development. Shrier critiques certain therapeutic approaches and their potential negative consequences, sparking debate about the appropriate use of therapy for children. The book challenges readers to reconsider the boundaries between normal childhood experiences and diagnosable conditions, prompting a critical examination of current therapeutic practices. It encourages a more nuanced understanding of child development and the potential pitfalls of overmedicalization.
Soul, Self, and Society
The New Morality and the Modern State
Edward L. Rubin
In 'Soul, Self, and Society: The New Morality and the Modern State,' Edward L. Rubin examines the evolution of moral systems in the Western world over the past 1500 years. He identifies three successive moral orders: the morality of honor, the morality of higher purposes, and the morality of self-fulfillment. Rubin argues that these moral systems are intimately connected with specific forms of governance, such as feudal order, royal government, and administrative government. The book focuses on the current transition from the morality of higher purposes to the morality of self-fulfillment, which is supported by the administrative state and emphasizes values like self-realization, career opportunity, gender equality, and environmental protection. Rubin's work is part of the tradition of grand social theory and addresses the cultural and political implications of these moral and governance changes[1][2][5].
You ever notice how some people can’t stand being told what to do—even when the advice is good? Yeah, that’s me. In this episode, Drew and I dig into why so many of us rebel against advice, why others chase it like their life depends on it, and whether all that “actionable advice” we’re constantly fed is actually helping anyone. Spoiler: I’m not a fan of cookie-cutter solutions, and I’ve got some opinions about the self-help industry’s obsession with telling people exactly what to do.
We also get into the bigger picture—how advice often misses the mark when it’s not tailored to someone’s unique situation, and how therapy culture might be trying to replace something deeper that’s missing in our lives. I’ll share why I don’t give rigid life hacks, the trouble with universal solutions, and the surprising reason why most breakthroughs aren’t about the advice at all. If you’re tired of “do this, don’t do that” advice, this one’s for you.
Enjoy.
Chapters
01:26 - The F*ck of the Week: Actionable Advice
21:26 - Brilliant or Bullsh*t: Therapy vs Therapy Culture
SOLVED with Mark Manson 
