20VC: Shopify Founder Tobi Lütke on Why Micromanagement is Good | Why You Will Learn More From Studying World of Warcraft Guilds Than You Will Companies | Why Happiness is BS; Lessons on Marriage, Fatherhood & Decision-Making Quality
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
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Happiness vs. Contentment
- Happiness is temporary and a poor goal, often sold to keep people striving, while contentment is a more stable and worthy aim.
- Social media amplifies comparison, disrupting contentment by expanding our awareness of what others have, akin to urbanization after the American Civil War.
- The 'hedonistic treadmill' drives progress and innovation by fueling discontent with the status quo, but shouldn't be the primary objective.
Takeaways:
- Strive for contentment rather than fleeting happiness.
- Be aware of social media's impact on your sense of contentment.
Analogy: The hedonistic treadmill is like an engine; it drives humanity forward but shouldn't be the sole focus of the journey.
Key terms:
- Hedonistic treadmill: The cycle of continuously pursuing pleasure or happiness, only to find it temporary and needing more.
- Contentment: A state of peaceful satisfaction and acceptance with one's current situation.
Quotes:
- "Happiness is a temporary thing that is a terrible goal. It's a goal that's sold to people to keep them miserable. But you want contentment, which is very different." - Tobi Lütke
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