The real problem of humanity is the following: we have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and god-like technology.
Edward O. Wilson, debate at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, Mass., 9 September 2009
Upstream Razor:
If somebody tells you something that goes against their incentives and identity – pay attention.
E.g. If someone tells you the worst part about living in their city or the worst part of their job – it’s usually signal rather than noise.
Why?
They’ve had to go against their identity to say it.
They’ve had to swim upstream.
“Humans don’t mind hardship, in fact they thrive on it; what they mind is not feeling necessary. Modern society has perfected the art of making people not feel necessary. It's time for that to end.”
Being fine with periods of solitude, working alone, pushing things forward without others cheering you on...that's a superpower.
The ability to run your own race, despite what the world is doing, initially looks behind - but puts you out front.