Slavoj Žižek | Why Be Happy When You Could Be Interesting? | Big Think
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN shares it as a short, provocative counterpoint in threads on purpose, goals and the pursuit of happiness.
What it is
A two-minute Big Think clip of Slavoj Zizek arguing that happiness is a conformist, even unethical goal. He asks why one would want to be happy when one could be interesting.
Recommended by 1 HN commenters across 1 different months, 2014 to 2023.
What Hacker News said
Recommends gwilkes · 2016-08 · on “Hunter S. Thompson on Finding Your Purpose (1958)”
Andrew, you're fine. I'm going to guess that you're American as America is the most happy-obsessed culture in the world in my experience. Happiness as virtue is not universal, maybe you need some more time abroad. I know you said you visited 100 countries but visiting 100 countries and living in another country for many years is quite a different thing. Or maybe you just need different friends or perhaps a meditation practice, I don't know. I'll leave you with this 2 minute video from Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek, "Why Be Happy When You Could Be Interesting?": [this video]
Cites dsaravel · 2014-03 · on “What if you didn't need money or attention?”
I don't fell that being happy is worth it. If I needed no money and no attention, perhaps happiness shouldn't also be the next goal to achieve. See what I mean here: [this video]
Cites ak39 · 2017-11 · on “Ask HN: What are your long-term goals?”
I see your Mr Peterson (whom I love), and I raise you with the inimitable and sporadically brilliant Slavoj Zizek - whom I fucking hate so much that I love too. Happiness is an unethical "cut-ay-gory": [this video] (For those you aren't aware of his tick, don't watch, just listen)
Cites knowhy · 2023-01 · on “The Daily Habits of Happiness Experts”
Slavoj Žižek [1] sees happiness as a conformist category. He argues that: > We don't really want what we think we desire. [1]: [this video]