Facebook about steven pinker

can you imagine being steven pinker and saying for years that the world is fantastic, deal with it, and routinely justifying horrible crimes against women using some grand, phony theory of history... and then being caught right in the middle of jeffrey epstein's circle? that would be pretty awkward, i think

Being kind to each other

It seems important to be kind to each other; it definitely makes life easier.  But the things that make life really shitty have very little to do with the day-to-day interactions of normal humans.  Our political representatives literally don't care what we think, and the corporate behemoth has just profit in mind.  The powers that control our lives aren't invested in kindness at all; they watch us tear each other apart and they just sort of shrug.  I think so much of the language of happiness and positivity comes from these "success stories" who "made it," and that's what makes such language so at best limp and at worst, infuriating and life-deadening.  I shouldn't be forced to accept an idea of happiness that comes from Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates or Donald Trump.  Fuck those guys, fuck them all

Don't Trust Dogs

What makes humans think they know strangers' dogs so well?

I would never go up to a child and put my face in theirs and stroke its head.  And most children don't have jaws that can like rip your arm off.

Agitated and excited dogs scare the shit out of me.  Just zooming around, breathing.  Being "happy."  But a dog's happiness is so very different from a human's happiness.  Because a dog doesn't measure its joy next to any expectation of future want.  It just figures everything is going to be okay, like an idiot.

Ideal Video Game

I want a video game where I don't have to shoot, jump, strafe, or sneak.  I don't want my reflexes tested.  I want engagement and interactivity.  I think I just want a book, actually.

Happiness

It's weird that happiness is the expected, natural state for humans/Americans.

I'm a cheerful person and I'm happier than a lot of people.  But I think I'm still more angry than happy.  And I'm sad a lot, too.

Man this has probably been said a hundred times better by like Walter fucking Benjamin or something.  But it is totally weird.  Like, the idea that I "deserve" to "be happy"?  What the fuck is that?  There are a few things I think a civilized society should provide humans: food, healthcare, shelter.  But providing happiness?  How does one do that?

I don't "deserve" to be happy.  You don't fucking know what a prick I am if you think that.