

Overcome the Comfort Crisis
380 snips Nov 23, 2022
Michael Easter, a writer and professor known for his book The Comfort Crisis, discusses the necessity of embracing discomfort. He reveals how modern conveniences can hinder our mental and physical health. Easter shares his transformative experience participating in a challenging caribou hunt in Alaska, where he confronted intense hunger, solitude, and boredom. He delves into the Japanese concept of misogi, advocating for personal growth through facing life's difficulties, and highlights the evolutionary benefits of solitude and introspection.
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Sobriety's Impact
- Michael Easter's family has a history of alcohol abuse, which led him to a similar path.
- Getting sober was his biggest challenge yet, but drastically improved all areas of his life.
Comfort's Double-Edged Sword
- Modern life offers unprecedented comfort and convenience, minimizing effort and risk.
- This comfort can negatively affect our minds, bodies, and spirits.
Problem Creep
- Prevalence-induced concept change, or "problem creep," makes us adapt to new comforts and look for new problems.
- This leads to solving progressively hollow problems, like first-world problems.