Author Robert Wright on Buddhism vs. Stoicism and the Dangers of Social Affirmation

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Ryan speaks to the author and journalist Robert Wright about the Stoic obligation to being involved in politics, staying creative while controlling your own destiny, the temptations and distractions of social media, and more.
Robert Wright is an author and journalist who has written five books including The Moral Animal and Why Buddhism Is True. He has also written for The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, and The New York Times Magazine. His weekly newsletter Mindful Resistance is sent out every Saturday.
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Music:
"Grow Old" by innerkid: ampl.ink/aKePP

[@mellowEsko]

Yes! Two of my favorite people having excellent conversations 🙏. So grateful to stumble upon it now. Robert Wright is so underrated in my opinion. He’s my favorite deep thinker.

[@lyndao7356]

I’m at 37 minutes and I want the transcript so I can do some highlighting. I’m having my own troubles with reluctance to say to myself ‘Hold on, old girl, the other tribe maybe correct here. Read this again’ I actually have an argument with myself when the other makes a great point. The argument is hard to form when you’re having it with yourself. It takes time to straighten it out in your own head. I’m comforting myself with reminders that that’s the good fight: being open to correction or to at least being able to countenance being open to an opinion you’d like to throw at the wall.

[@AhmetKaan]

*"Success is based off of your willingness to work your butt off no matter what obstacles are in your way."* *-David Goggins*

[@on9francisyu]

It is obviously important. If we do not have that nothing will work.

[@ShinbrigTV]

Had to reread it just so I can hear it in his voice.

[@RealLifeRodger]

Then why aren’t the coal miners in WV or the migrant workers picking fruit all day the most successful? This line of thinking is what drives people to suicide. Because when you work your ass off and still lose, it crushes people. That’s what stoicism is all about, even though you can make all the right moves, you can still lose everything through no decision of your own.

[@williamerdman4888]

@@RealLifeRodger Your examples do not contradict the original comment... so what is your point?

[@deeluu731]

I realized when I was young that life is a revolving door, but I learnt that it's more like a spiral, because we continously evolve even though we are always repeating things. Very interesting conversation, thank you.

[@RatZapTshirt]

Politics is an essential part of life, as much as food, shelter and clothing. If that sounds confusing, call it freedom. Freedom is not a given. Exploitation is an ever-present threat, just like starvation and exposure. A slave, who depends on a master for basic necessities, is no less compelled by circumstances as someone who has nothing to eat or no place to sleep. To have a full life, slavery must be avoided. You can engage in politics now, to preserve your autonomy, or you can prepare to fight for your rights later on when the political order breaks down because you didn't get involved.

[@lukeneptune3820]

I’m such a fan of Bobs. Why Buddhism is True is one of my fav books. His free course on Buddhism and Modern Psychology is really good too. Highly recommended.

[@on9francisyu]

Where do you take his free course ? Is that on his website ?

[@tiqh1806]

@@on9francisyu Coursera

[@andydufresne299]

Thank you to Robert and Ryan for sharing this interesting and thoughtful dialogue. Peace.

[@jabbrewoki]

I'm not lazy, I'm just really contemplative.

[@nicolaspalacios7083]

Notes: -The frequent absence of happiness is what keeps us pursuing it and thus makes us productive. -Gratification is designed to evaporate so we keep pursuing goals. -Can you get to a place where you're driven but not by the external reward? -Am I enlightened if I don't care about external rewards or am I hiding my fear? -Like a lawyer, the human brain wants victory, not truth (confirmation bias). -Moral changes with time. People who lived before wouldn't be approve by today's standards. -When you are annoyed by what the other tribe is doing, try to find examples of that in your own tribe.

[@TheDhammaHub]

We certainly had a lot fewer problems in the world if more people meditated or followed other practices conducive to equanimity

[@RatZapTshirt]

50:00 This is what we did with "zines" in the 1980s. We took the best of print media, cut it up, glued it together in a collage, and republished it. Xerox was the new technology that made it possible.

[@technerdy]

social media can definitely be a good thing. facebook is such a powerful tool for influencing or for finding connections. heck i may not have found you or your words without Facebook. and my world would be different without you and your words.

[@technerdy]

let’s not forget about finding the good things in everything, ryan.

[@technerdy]

loved this entire conversation though. thanks for documenting it.

[@troyallenart817]

Great Conversation Guys..Love the Content😎✌️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️🌻

[@gracefitzgerald2227]

This one is saving worthy, can’t wait to listen again. I’ve already quoted some of the samples you both threw out. It’s valuable information and I can’t thank you enough for the impact that you have on my life.

[@DJSTOEK]

Thank you

[@tristandavis6060]

Thanks guys✊🏾💯

[@postatv]

I love how while talking about cognitive bias he still sneaks in his own disses lol

[@petrid779]

I guess my question is how much does this differ by country. It's not as though Canada, UK, etc. don't have access to this. Are there specific factors that we can point to that might drive the variation?

[@AhmetKaan]

*"Nothing incredible happens when you are in your comfort zone...*

[@jps0117]

Speak for yourself :)

[@robertmoore2049]

Outside the comfort zone is where the growth happens…

[@AwakenZen]

Don't leave the comfort zone just expand it

[@doyrayburn2668]

I enjoy this feed as much as I do Jordan Peterson. Lots of insight and wisdom. Consider the proven science of Evolution as a process that exists in life across all segments of our physical and spiritual world...it is in our dna to push forward and "be better". This motivation, desire, inspiration, aspirition, whatever you want to call it, will always be there. There is no way for mankind to revert back to some simple physical existence that resists the struggles of mans advancement. The pain and suffering of evolution is in fact necessary ans is the Heart of our journey home.

[@zoundstreetop]

I disagree with your stipulation.

[@JaketheJust]

Ryan will you do a podcast with Dr. Jordan Peterson.

[@on9francisyu]

I am sure it will happen both of them do interviews eventually they will run into each other.

[@jps0117]

I hope not. Peterson's 15 minutes were up long ago.

[@robertmoore2049]

That would be awesome. I’m always learning from Jordan Peterson!

[@JaketheJust]

@@robertmoore2049 I’m interested in what a Jungian psychologist and Stoic philosopher would say to about life, struggles, and the path to meaningful lives.

[@gracefitzgerald2227]

Robert Greene is supposed to talk to JP soon. He’s like Ryan Holiday minus the strict Stoic beliefs. Should be an enjoyable discourse. I used to love JP when he just talked about his books but I understand he’s stuck in beliefs I don’t completely agree with but he seems so angry and emotional. I hope when Robert Greene talks to him Dr. Peterson will remember that Robert Greene isn’t Sam Harris and isn’t going to be quite the outspoken contrarian. Love the books but I tend to lean more towards these guy’s opinions.

[@activatekruger446]

Society can affirm deez knuts

[@kellykizer6718]

The Iron Law of Oligarchy rules with controlled opposition and useful idiot's on all side's and all levels. Audi Vide Tace.

[@gagonthis2389]

Why shit on elon. Who are you to judge him

[@herrweiss2580]

I do not care that a homeless guy stole my wallet last month.

[@ricardomurillo5205]

Lincoln? Bringing his name down as a racist? I missed something

[@JayJay-wg5ex]

This guy's great, but ryan politically correct is not necessarily mainstream, or normal, except in certain worlds perhaps.

[@donibr]

Lots of conspiracies are coming true.

[@l.k.2337]

Well, I would also agree that anyone in the online "dating community" (not just "dating coaches") are in a state of mental illness and cognitive dissonance.

[@on9francisyu]

It is the hard part of those communities. If you are good then you are off the site already only those crazy would like to hang around but without a community it is hard to know people.

[@Anonymous_110]

First one

[@MrEmityushkin]

+

[@bb-ij6bv]

It would be easy for you guys to talk to a conservative philosopher and grapple with the ideas more directly rather than speak as if the other half of the world isn’t listening and silently judging you in the same terms as you are us. Stefan Molyneux comes to mind as one of many possibilities.

[@js-je6ur]

They just cant let Trump go. Both sides.

[@bootysauce_]

Please don't ever stop putting videos out❤🙏🏽 This was fantastic. Really made me think