Comment on Open Thread: December 2009

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:36:35 GMT

tut's quip holds the key:

But in general the answer is another question: Why would you want to do that?

But to expound on it a bit further, if I want to drive to Dallas to see a band play I can (a) figure out a strategy to get there or (b) stop wanting to go. Assuming that (b) is even possible, it isn't actually a solution to the problem of how to get to Dallas. Applying the same principle to all Wants does not provide you with a way to always get what you want. Instead, it helps you avoid not getting what you want.

If you wanted nothing more than to avoid disappointment by not getting what you want than the safest route is to never desire anything that isn't a sure thing. Or simply not want anything at all. But a simpler route to this whole process is to ditch that particular Want first. The summation is a bit wordy and annoying, but it ends like this:

Instead of wanting to avoid not getting what you want by not wanting anything else, simply forgo the want that is pushing you to avoid not getting what you want.

With parens:

Instead of (wanting to avoid {not getting what you want} by not wanting anything else), simply forgo (the want that is pushing you to avoid {not getting what you want}).

In other words, you can achieve the same result that modifying your wants would create by not getting too disappointed if you don't get what you want. Or, don't take it so hard when things don't go your way.

Hopefully that made some sense (and I got it right.)

Discuss