“You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backward into safety.”
—Abraham Maslow
Throughout history, starting with Socrates and Plato, many thinkers have wondered why most people are so “primitive,” for lack of a better word.
The psychologist Abraham Maslow, who pioneered motivational research, believed that less than 1% of the population were self-actualizers; people who prioritize mastery, learning, creativity, and personal achievement above more self-indulgent interests such as relaxing, socializing, collecting luxury items, having sex, eating tasty food, and doing drugs.
Maslow said that “The study of crippled, stunted, immature, and unhealthy specimens can yield only a cripple psychology and a cripple philosophy.”
Unfortunately, both psychology and philosophy have failed to follow this advice over the last 200 years (with a few exceptions, such as Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi).
Mainstream culture is rapidly becoming overpopulated by clever and devious characters that specialize in giving people a reason to feel that it’s “OK” not to try to become better. Like a second grade teacher who never informs the drooling kid that the other kids think it’s disgusting when he drools.
But what if there was a better definition for what constitutes a healthy and sane human being; a definition that might reduce the trickery of comforting beliefs and noble indulgences from spreading into popular culture?
The 14 Fundamental Differences Between Homeostasis Dwellers and Homeostasis Breakers
No one fits a template perfectly.
No one is going to be 100% a Homeostasis Dweller or 100% a Homeostasis Breaker. But going by my philosophy, this is what it would look like if that were the case.
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“Belongs to a tribe of HBs”
Haha this could be interpreted in different ways.
“If you’re under 30, it’s not about making quick money. It’s about building yourself up to be in a position to benefit from opportunities.” Can I change the “If your under 30” to “If you are alive today” :)
This is just a fantastic book and money well spent, with my low income and thrifty spending that is a compliment Sir. I could not find a single item to give a negative comment to. You say you need to succeed before your 30 which is so true and as I am nearly twice past this I will agree wholeheartedly. Success in business is one thing, success in life is another. I have used your frameworks to enhance the remaining years I do have left to utilize maximum life quality. The Optimal reading list was very useful. I have applied this book to my diet, exercise regime, personal relationships, serious health management issues ,intellectual development, even my sleep regime, there is absolutely no limit to its uses. Advanced age is a very looked-over subject when you are young and we live in a society where it is just acceptable to ‘give up’ on life after a certain age and what? wait to die? I hope to continue my lifelong learning alongside people of your calibre. Thanks for the work you put into the book, quality of life enhancing at its best.
Hi Indigo,
Thank you very much.
I am interested to hear more about how you have applied my ideas on homeostasis to improve said parts of your life. Please email me at [email protected]
There is certainly an increasing tolerance for worthless people in America, compared to twenty or thirty years ago, and a concurrent sense of entitlement. It’s now routine for healthy young people to collect a disability pension for feigned or trivial mental “illnesses” that amount to “doesn’t like taking orders” or “has sensitive feelings” or “isn’t very likable”. There have always been plenty of people who only want to take whatever they can get while contributing as little as possible – even people who avoid productivity more assiduously than they avoid effort – but it seems to be increasingly acceptable to display that attitude openly.
I’m not sure though if this is a secular trend or a cycle. Fifty years ago there was a similar fad for being useless, irresponsible, and detached from reality, yet politically “aware”. Maybe the pampered “Millennial” deadheads will grow up in time. Maybe.
I’ve been waiting for this book for so long and it’s finally out. This is actually the first time I bought an ebook and I’m looking forward to get the maximum out of it, which will be absolutely beneficial after my two years experience with SGM.
Keep up the good work, Ludvig.
This reads like the intro of a dystopic future movie haha. No offense taken I hope, I generally agree with the framework you put up here.
This is a new idea for me
Then I’m happy for you.
I am going through your book and I think this is the most important part in it. Going through life, I am constantly noting how people sabotage themselves, are uninspired to change things up, and just go through the motions. Instead of doing things, they prefer to watch them on TV. I have been thinking about this for a while and your writing is definitely helping me to crystallize my thinking on this. Thanks! :)
However I think no amount of telling them to “wake the fuck up” will help them. You need to be willing to change and put in the effort, which the vast majority of people aren’t.
Yeah. No one can give you motivation except you.
But a little bit more shaming at lazy people wouldn’t hurt.
Nice to see you are active on SGM again .
I will get the book now and start reading it first thing tomorrow before work. I should be able to finish it by next Tuesday and write you a review if I like it – which I’m sure of.
Keep the posting going :D
That would be great!
Will do.