Meme: Valuable Vulnerability

Commander Zander

There's an idea i've encountered in a couple essays and posts (not on LW) that being emotionally vulnerable is, counterintuitively, a desirable trait. I think this is usually defined as being in a state where what you observe is liable to create negative emotions in you (or in some definitions, a variety of emotions). I've heard several people recommend this meme but i'm still trying to wrap my head around it. Personally i usually aim for more manageable emotional states, and i rarely cultivate this kind of state. On the other hand, its popularity suggests, in my opinion, that it has at least some usefulness.

What do LWers think about this concept? What do you think is the main rationale for this idea, and do you think it is a good policy?

Emotions usually have a use. Being emotionally "secure" means to choose your mental actions so to avoid possibility of negative emotions. If you allow yourself to be emotionally vulnerable you do not sensor your emotions and their usefullness away from you. That is you allow the state of the world to influence you and do not let your self identity to hijack your mental state.

Being emotionally "secure" means to choose your mental actions so to avoid possibility of negative emotions.

I interpret this quite in reverse. I see being emotionally secure as being able to handle negative emotions and so you do NOT have to arrange your life to "avoid [the] possibility" which generally leads to a better and more interesting life.

2Commander Zander10y

I'm delighted by this perspective that the world and your self-identity are both external to your mental state.

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Meme: Valuable Vulnerability

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Meme: Valuable Vulnerability

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