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Dirk comments on How to Be Happy - Less Wrong
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I wonder, do any of you ever feel like you're not allowed to be happy, as long as there is so much we still need to solve in this world?
For example, a thought that could spring up: I am sitting here reading blogs/playing videogames and procrastinating my schoolwork. While at the same time we have a global warming problem, poverty in poor countries, and plastic polluting our oceans. Should I dedicate my time to educating people about recycling/ or maybe even becoming a scientist to invent better solar panels? Or should I stick with my plans and dreams that I had, becoming a musician? It seems irrational to act like there are no problems to be solved in this world. It seems like everyone should be doing a lot more things. But then, where is the line between doing things for yourself and doing things for others?
These things keep me up at night, sometimes. I wonder if they are appropriate responses to this wonderful blogpost.
They're definitely appropriate responses. First, let's distinguish two different things:
Since it's very difficult for, say, depressed people to fix the world's problems, I think being happy is actually a step towards solving them, if it gives you the energy and motivation you need. I see happiness as an instrumental goal, not a terminal one. In fact, I suspect you'd be happier when you stop procrastinating and do something that works towards what you really care about.
As far as the second point, I know Eliezer has thought about this question, and has said before that if his help wasn't urgently needed to save the world, he would do other things, like be a science-fiction writer. Depends on how much of a duty you feel you owe the world. For instance, suppose you walk past a kid drowning, and you could save the kid with a few minutes of effort. Do you have a duty to save the kid, or is it just a good thing to do, but not required?
I think it's worth noting that not sleeping well and feeling bad doesn't help towards either saving the world or reaching your own goals.