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?

From these comments i'm getting the impression that:

Being vulnerable here means some mix of being emotional, being compassionate, and being connected.
The idea is to be lightly vulnerable, or vulnerable within limits.
The name 'vulnerability' has the effect of emphasizing the paradox of desiring instability.

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Meme: Valuable Vulnerability

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