The Lottery of Life

We tend to look patronisingly at people convinced they might win the lottery. But we often harbour equally misguided hopes for our romantic and professional lives.
Enjoying our KZbin videos? Get full access to all our audio content, videos, and thousands of thought-provoking articles, conversation cards and more with The School of Life Subscription: t.ly/5EvdV
Be more mindful, present and inspired. Get the best of The School of Life delivered straight to your inbox: t.ly/zysrl
MORE SCHOOL OF LIFE
Watch more films on WORK & CAPITALISM in our playlist:
bit.ly/TSOLcapitalism
SOCIAL MEDIA
Feel free to follow us at the links below:
Facebook: / theschooloflifelondon
X: / theschooloflife
Instagram: / theschooloflifelondon
CREDITS
Produced in collaboration with Avi Ofer
www.aviofer.com/ #TheSchoolOfLife

[@vedikab.5369]

Finding this channel felt a bit like winning the lottery though.

[@PeacefulPastel]

For real!

[@AHK4680]

I can't remember how I found this channel, but I'm so glad I did

[@SebastianLopez-nh1rr]

So right!!!!

[@sukindiamuzik]

How sweet

[@electra7840]

Not really, its a popular channel so you are more likely to find it than an unpopular one

[@NatalieH400]

School of Life you have really changed my life for the better. I can honestly say I have learned more about the world and people from your minute videos than I have from 12 years of school. You guys have given me such a wonderful outlook on the world and taught me to appreciate our little quirks as human beings and to be kinder and more forgiving. Thank you so much TSOL! You are my favourite channel on KZbin!!

[@commentcommenter4198]

Same. School don't teach you anything in the long term.

[@ThaViralRabbit]

+Comment Commenter it gives you a huge debt to pay. Yay! Well at least in America. Feel bad for kids these days having to start life with debt.

[@Soma2501]

And I'm going to Med school...

[@iulian.m.]

if you are expecting schools to teach you this valuable lessons about life you have too high expectation. School COULD be better ? YES but is not too bad either ....for something you receive for free . Your parents have a higher responsibility to teach you this lessons then school....so do well....and teach your kids this valuable lessons :)

[@Soma2501]

cripticpain True, but not all parents are capable or have time to teach us. As for school, depending on the school, you may have a lot of resources that just need to be used. The teachers have a lot of experience and when they share that experience it's one of the most valuable pieces of information that can help guide your future. You are right that we shouldn't expect this from them but personally, all my teachers differ in experience and it gives insight into many aspects of this world. This may not be true for everyone and i understand that.

[@ProfessorTurnipAlpha]

I'm gonna go rethink my life now. ... and I've lost count of how many times I said that after watching one of these videos. Seriously, great work.

[@ihugforests]

+

[@SebastianLopez-nh1rr]

amazing work

[@LordDavid6]

Von lol, same

[@claudiarozo9514]

Same 😂

[@misterosc]

I'm out of words, this video is so great in so many levels, I love the art the message and everything Great job

[@vzxvzvcxasd7109]

personally, i'd like a gif of all the loopable animations, then i would put it on my desktop

[@hopestarr1008]

+

[@dontnoodles2085]

happiness begins in the mind.

[@Parsi-Pedia]

How tell me please I would like to get it

[@dellsantiago8108]

my mind is a traitor..:(

[@love_exegence]

#Buddhism

[@proof-xx1vv]

No shit bro

[@shockerzlee]

#Stoicism

[@RedInferno112]

Well, that was depressing.

[@sleepingArisu]

It surely was.

[@andremuniz6623]

It was realistic

[@carlitoxb110]

Juet like life itself, but all we can do is dance

[@andremuniz6623]

+Carlitox b was that a David Bowie reference, because if it was, it was very good!

[@Anarcath]

I thought it was uplifting, knowing that I'm not alone and I should accept my life for what it is and still be happy... kind of.

[@pierrot148]

I understand the point you're trying to make, that we should be more realistic about our expectations of life, however I do believe that the level of pessimism you're encouraging here is equally bad for our mental welbeing. Hope is a crucial part of what keeps our heads up, and we *should* set goals that are too difficult to achieve. Life is a journey and everyone knows that it is one of ups and downs, that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep our eyes on climbing the highest mountain. Just because we might need to try different paths to reach the top, and be strong enough to admit it when we've found ourselves on the wrong path, doesn't mean that you should give up altogether. I'm 19, and I hope that I may experience an extremely passionate love during my lifetime, the sort of which could never last forever, I hope that after this I will break up and marry someone I love less passionately, but is like a dear friend to me, which could be my companion for the rest of my life. This is the type of realism I'm talking about. Don't expect to die having everything you've ever wanted, but hope that you may die as a person who can look back at his life of ups and downs and be grateful for the interesting adventure you've been able to have, an adventure which, if you hadn't set your goals so high, wouldn't have been half so interesting.

[@emmsC109]

well said

[@pierrot148]

k3nny111 without hope I don't see the point in living. If I don't have hope that I may find a lover, don't hope that I may be able to have a cosy house one day, what is there to live for? Your entire life would feel like the moment you've finished a good book. Emptiness. I don't enjoy that.

[@pierrot148]

you could argue that there is no point to life and you'd probably be right, but where does that leave us? I don't wanna stare at the sky all day doing nothing.

[@emmsC109]

Yes, exactly! Honestly I'd rather try and enjoy myself and work hard and try my best instead of sitting at home thinking about how there's no point to anything.

[@thehappyunknown]

Although I find your message to be sympathetic, I'd say that the level of pessimism expressed in the video can be required to be able to live with equanimity. There is a tendency in our culture, as SOL has already pointed out earlier, that all one's acheviements are completely contingent on one's own effort. This perpetuates the idea that we alone are to solely blame for our failures. But in truth, luck and the right prerequisites are also unignorable factors to take into account when we look at successful people and their achievements. As you've already stated, nothing that we want is going to happen if we do not at least try. But maybe our goals should not be the top. Maybe second or third place should be the priority, and well, if one is lucky and skilled enough, one can strive even further.

[@alienmoondudes8071]

aim high to your dreams, but still expect less; however, I believe hope is important!

[@alienmoondudes8071]

even though there is a 14,000,000 chance to win the lottery, that 1/14,000,000 can still be you 😀👍

[@Mirandorl]

I think: Decouple your dreams from your happiness. Be happy BEFORE you set out to achieve. Too many of us get taught this in the wrong order and spend our lives trying to fill a bucket with a hole. Success does not bring deep happiness if you are not already happy. For those that don't like the "flowery" version, think of the Maslow Hierarchy of needs. Safety and belongingness come before self esteem and self actualisation. If you are chasing esteem to satisfy belongingness, it cannot work.

[@victoorvillain]

To all those behind the School of Life project I give the most heartfelt of bravos and a big squeezing thank you hug. You are a real gift to humanity.

[@RiverDogRun]

I already won the jackpot. I have a respectful job that is both financially and personally rewarding. I have a loving wife and son. We are all relatively healthy. Perhaps it's my mix of optimism and cynicism that allows me to see the bright side of everything. I do feel genuinely fortunate.

[@Schwarz98Stefan]

That's really good, im glad you have that life.

[@harrowdrut6316]

Good for you

[@dual.clutch]

Holy everybody took this comment so well, is this actually the internet??

[@SebastianLopez-nh1rr]

So nice to hear :) Don't ever forget to be thankful ;)

[@Zephyr116]

Good on you sir. I can only hope to be as fulfilled in my life as you are/.

[@SquareSquidStudios]

And then when you point out that notice is given to the rare cases... People get angry at you for breaking the illusion and deny its existence.

[@michaelpesavento8268]

Hi, Never underestimate the power of willful blindness and self-delusion to get through life:) Thanks.

[@SquareSquidStudios]

Michael Pesavento Well put

[@michaelpesavento8268]

Hi, Yes. Entitlement breeds entitlement:/ Thanks.

[@SquareSquidStudios]

dgreyz My comment didn't have anything to do with a lack of trying because there is a small chance of success. It has to do with people thinking media is the world while they are the exception for not being like people are on TV. Thinking that murder, plane crashes, hate crimes, flat stomachs, and so on are the norm because that is how media portrays the world. For example... If I were to say "Majority of white cops are good people even if a few murder people or aren't doing anything to stop bad cops" People get absolutely pissed!

[@michaelpesavento8268]

Hi, Some children expect they will have a better life than their parents even if they aren't willing to make the same kind of efforts and sacrifices their parents and grandparents have made. The innovations and new technology they have become used to have given them the perception that life can come at the push of a button, that whatever they want it can show up at their doorstep with minimal inconvenience. Not all kids but a fair number of the middle and upper classes.Thanks.

[@TheMusicalGameroriginal]

Thing about any lottery though, if you don't play, you can't win

[@frostice936]

And if you do play, you won't win

[@TheMusicalGameroriginal]

Frost Ice Wrong, because someone always wins eventually.

[@manuhortet]

+The Musical Gamer I'm pretty sure you will never win the lottery man. You can't win if you don't play, but if you play... you won't win anyway.

[@TheMusicalGameroriginal]

LeagueofLegendsFan9 So I buy a powerball twice a week when it is only over 100 mil. Assuming it is over 100 mil every drawing (which it is not) let's say I did this for the next 70 years, that means I will have spent $7,280 bucks. So my gain if I did win the lottery would be beyond what I had ever spent and I wouldn't have even broken 10K in spending. It's not something that really worries me. Now sure, there are people that are not as responsible as me and buy 10 lottery tickets every time they walk in a store, but I think we should probably just work on making people more responsible.

[@TheMusicalGameroriginal]

LeagueofLegendsFan9 But, I'm not flushing down the drain. I'm giving it away to the education system so kids can learn easier. So my conscious is pretty clear. A little bit of charity with a chance of never having to worry about anything ever again.

[@purrminator123]

This was such good timing. I've been mopping around the last few days in despair after a job interview went south, feeling like I will never achieve anything in my (work) life. Really needed to see this. Thank you

[@christinasharon7687]

Purrminator Omg I am literally in the same situation. I found it quite uplifting so I can go on ahead😊

[@CreativeLegend2023]

I hope your situation got better.

[@purrminator123]

@@CreativeLegend2023 thank you for your consideration, that's really nice of you. And yes it improved, I'm in my dream job now and it's paying nicely as well.

[@Ram-pw1os]

Thank you school of life. Videos like these motivate me to cling onto my life. Amidst all the chaos and cacophony of life seeing this made me realize that there is hope. Hope, that everything will just be alright.

[@thegearspinner5552]

[phone]j But, out of everything, life is probably the one thing worth clinging to, no?

[@tophers3756]

[phone]j oh stop with the armchair Buddhist lecturing. Life is all we have when we have it.

[@amirconstantino2242]

Max

[@kingbibihabibi]

I really like this art style. It looks like the Quentin Blake ones from Roald Dahl's books.

[@TheBurg229]

I'm wondering how many people would be able to handle the knowledge of reality? Many seem to revel in the ignorance and actively shut out reality to maintain the illusion of the lottery.

[@theweridohassan]

Omg you're so deep and edgy

[@zebbleganubi723]

22

[@deemmm2761]

is that bad? some people would be severely depressed and sad if they self-analyse and destroy their own illusion (which the video promotes). Although at the end it pretty much says don't worry! Everyone else is sad and depressed too = you must be happy :D

[@JohnDoe-hr8gb]

Omg you're so cool and meta. Way to use a meme to discredit someones comment. Well done man.

[@jamesskinnercouk]

The knowledge of reality. Make it up as you go along, and if it doesn't help forget it.

[@MarkaveliRises]

Don't ever compare yourself and what you have with others. Enjoy all that is yours and help all the people in your own zone of influence. Expect nothing, but appreciate everything! Keep life simple and do what you enjoy, and hangout out with the handful of people that you like and who like you. YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH! -love, Mark.

[@RoxyStellar]

Ouch..truth is excruciating as it is compelling 🙀

[@michaelpesavento8268]

Hi, Reality often is:) Thanks.

[@abhishekkumar3679]

The video doesn't mean that you should be content with whatever you are or whatever you have. This video is just saying that while aiming for success, you should not forget to love yourself.

[@vryc]

"... in a tranquil, flower-filled room". I literally laughed out loud at this because I've had this silly notion in my head from time to time. The odd thing is, I'm not sure I really care how I die since whatever pain is felt is ultimately transitory. I've had surgeries and injuries and since I've been old enough to be introspective, I've been able to understand that any pain associated with various happenstances in life will ultimately end. This has given me an enormous ballast to move past painful (sometime excruciatingly so) points in my life.

[@icieWindSnitram]

I'm lost right now... I don't know how to live my life and I feel empty. This video helped a little. Thank you

[@keisha5542]

❤

[@icieWindSnitram]

I don't find joy in reading anymore. It's all so confusing. I'm at a point where I hate to imagine a better life or let my imagination run wild. All I can think is "it's useless to dream about this, I'll never have it". Right now I'm not so great. These videos help a lot

[@netzpoet3702]

I don't know you, therefore I can't give advice. But I'm damn sure a mental health professional can. Good luck to you!

[@alyssajohnson8901]

I hope you're all having a great day/ will have one today!!

[@lonewolfjuannieves7059]

Thanks :)

[@peculiarjane6490]

thank you!

[@michaelpesavento8268]

Hi, Thank you! I'll do my best and thank you for your positivity:) Thanks.

[@Hassan-zb7lj]

+Michael Pesavento YOUR LAST NAME RYMES WITH PERVERT

[@michaelpesavento8268]

Hi, Not even close. It rhymes* with "Presidential":)Thanks

[@foalspreshow]

yep my brain can accurately be described as a 'faulty walnut'

[@michaelpesavento8268]

Hi, My whole family should be called "Mixed Nuts!":)

[@FornusSomeFornit]

lol'd

[@cesarandrade1987]

All of ours, is the point. I salute you, brother or sister :)

[@nikokaapa]

School of Life is, without a doubt, my favourite youtube channel.

[@2bsirius]

The ultimate lottery is luck vs merit. If we win the life lottery, we credit our merit, but luck is often the most important ingredient in life outcomes: How rich was the family we were born into? What was the highest educational attainment of our parents? Were we born into a strong, loving family network? If so, then BINGO. We have a winner... Merit? Well, it can be important, but it is lots more elusive than we imagine.

[@commentcommenter4198]

Yeah. Lots of people are lucky to be born into a rich family or country with good stuff. It's sad though that some people can't appreciate even he simple things that they were lucky enough to have. One example are the majority which have a normal body. Not blind, not deaf, not mute or weak. Just normal.

[@renatamarie5546]

+Comment Commenter I say this every day...

[@CraftyF0X]

Agree, ppl tends to confuse their lucks with merit and other's misfortune with those unworthiness. But I see you guys already got it.

[@ItsAnGoose]

+Harmony Alexandria plenty of people have worked hard and succeeded in changing their circumstances, you are talking shit. Hard work doesn't guarantee success but it's still achievable regardless, just keep at it.

[@CraftyF0X]

Dude, If she thinks what I do then we just meant that as surprising as it is luck has a bigger impact than hard work. Which of course a sad point and a dangerous mindset (can lead to apathy) but still correct. Either you can handle it or not...

[@ForeheadSweat]

This is exactly what I've been trying to say to the people in my life

[@jamestheado6327]

No point in striving for mediocrity. When it comes to life, you might as well push yourself to the ultimate limit in pursuit of reaching your maximum potential.

[@yEyA017]

the key is not to care what the others have or do. just compare yourself with yourself, make sure you constantly improve your old-self.

[@jasonfan54]

I don't know to either feel really optimistic that other people feel like this too, or really depressed that we have a small chance of having what we want. But thanks +The School of Life, real helpful video as always!

[@michaelpesavento8268]

Hi, Have your dreams but keep you feet planted firmly in reality:) The best gift a human can hope for is Love and that can happen to anyone at any time! You just have to keep your eyes and your heart open:) Thanks.

[@MisterCK124]

When thinking of life as a lottery I think it is nice to keep in mind the quote: *_"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity"._* You shouldn't just wait around and expect something good to just happen to you. You need to expose yourself to the world by joining clubs and associations and create as many opportunities as you can. If you do this I honestly believe that you will get "lucky" and win the lottery of life, i.e. make new friends, get into new relationships and find something your passionate about.

[@dannyallegra]

The question still exists: what if you don't? That's this video's point: you may give it all and still have no luck. You are free to believe that you will, but there's no guaranteed for that.

[@treyshaffer]

Sometimes giving it your all is not enough. Also, typically when one says that they "gave their all," they didn't really--they just did the amount they feel comfortable with. Luck doesn't exist, just those that want success, and those that want it enough to make it a reality.

[@aaryag5427]

Your videos are my therapy sessions and I always leave feeling lighter and more clear headed. Thanks alot. Hope you guts keep on improving people's mindset . Lots of love

[@acs2735]

This is so true. When one is happy for achieving life's little lotteries, one can abandon the expectations one places on oneself. Great work!

[@jadenyuki6298]

3:54 This will bring a smile to your face.

[@reaperzone85]

This video is a great example of why it annoys me when people say things like (don´t worry your young you got your life ahead of you). No human life is guaranteed 60+ years for their life span so just because im 26 doesn't mean I should expect to live until old age. Sure im planning for it and working towards it but life is fragile people often forget about that.

[@sonyavincent7450]

How are you now? That comment was ages ago.

[@reaperzone85]

@@sonyavincent7450 Mostly fine, I didn't watch the video again so don't have much context but going by my first comment I still the same. Perfect example is my uncle this year passed away from cancer sadly and he was only in his 50s.

[@TicketToEarth]

I cannot believe I've only just discovered this channel! I always say that school would have been so much more beneficial if there was even just one "class of life" every week. BIG LOVE to you guys!!xo

[@arvj123]

This is a comforting video. Thank you.

[@nicked1forlive]

I love everyone who reads this message❤️

[@fartballs7094]

ty

[@FilosofoDaCamera]

ty m8

[@donlars1]

Thank you and back at you.

[@lonewolfjuannieves7059]

Thanks love you too

[@Ruben-tm3fg]

[@karmakilledyourex]

So basically. Life is shit.

[@Jeff1999PB2]

pretty much

[@TarkMcCoy]

"Abandon all hope, ye who pass these gates." -graffiti on pearly gates

[@TarkMcCoy]

k3nny111 Yes, I just thought it would be funny with a demon scribbling that up there on a day off...As above, so below!

[@T00DEEPBLUE]

Being born is a lottery that nobody ever chose to participate in.

[@Jeff1999PB2]

***** Yeah, totally. You're basically saying that if a celebrity came to my house and took a shit on my table, I should be grateful for it because other people would never experience something like this. No, thank you. I would much rather kill myself than go through difficulties in life. I never know when and how will they occur, but death just sounds way easier. Enjoy your "experiences that billions of potential lives won't have" like deaths of loved ones, free stress and god knows what else.

[@karenschulz6733]

Alain, I am grateful for your work, your generosity, your kindness... many moments of peace and sanity I’ve enjoyed because of you. 🎁

[@lavidaesplendida]

Love this channel more every day. Thank you for this master pieces of wisdom, it really helps.

[@Cas12321]

I got the work part done . Love tho..

[@JAMES18005]

I'm afraid the same will happen for me

[@carlitoxb110]

Yes same here, No love for carlitox

[@Cas12321]

I don't wanna purchase me a wife without actually realising it. That would be a worst nightmare.

[@JAMES18005]

Giorgi Kenchiashvili I guess you've just gotta make an effort with the women you like and accept the possibility of rejection without them knowing of your wealth

[@scottverge938]

I've got the love but not the work. :/

[@matthewharris517]

My life is totally pointless and unnecessary, not bringing myself down just stating the facts as it is it's not like if I wasn't born the world would end.

[@RickS890]

this is wisdom

[@Till1c0ll4pSe]

What if it does. you have no capability of knowing what your life is capable or incapable of. For example, imagine if you are driving and you are involved in a car crash and kill the other driver. That other driver could have been the man to cure cancer or the man to cause WW3. You dont know.

[@deemmm2761]

but the world wouldn't exist for you though? therefore there is no world? it can't end if it didn't begin

[@Someone-qn1pp]

You do have a role though as small as it may seem, but significant. In a chaos system such as life all variables can have huge consequences on it(positive or negative). If you're not aware of the butterfly effect, I suggest you reasearch it.

[@Till1c0ll4pSe]

k3nny111 But it actually does have an impact, even if it's a trillionth decimal point. But whether it matters or not, is subjective so that's up to you.

[@tusharmishra846]

Favorite channel. And this bit just reaffirmed it. Great job.

[@alexisfloresmedina7041]

This channel is like opening your eyes more and more!!

[@rishianand_]

Life would have been a lottery if we could not influence it's eventuality. But we can. It's more like a game.

[@christinasharon7687]

Rishi Anand I really like this perspective, it’s quite true. Thanks for sharing:)

[@TheConnor12500]

This channel is good when it comes to teaching political ideas and historical figures and such, but when it comes to phycology and sociology it makes gross and frankly wrong generalisations.

[@glindathegoodbtch9734]

I felt like it was just trying to point out that we will fail in life despite having relatively "normal" goals. Things might not always go as planned, but they aren't meant to go as planned.

[@idudheebsbzdudbdhddh]

not an argument

[@MIOLAZARUS]

School of life have changed so much for me! This channel is truly special

[@brandonknape3099]

Alain, you, and everyone that you work with to make these videos, are awesome.

[@awtizme]

While this is a very realistic attitude to have, is it a really that helpful of one for living out our lives considering its pessimistic outlook? It's comforting if you're already in a bad situation and just need to accept the world we live in to stay sane as a 'depressant remedy' I suppose, but what's it really for if you seek to be happy? When everything is all over and done with, isn't it better to have at least tried and failed in life than to have never bothered trying at all?

[@fry5544]

I agree. At my deathbed, I'd rather have tried my hardest and have failed at life than to have never tried at all. I agree that this attitude could be helpful for someone who's depressed about what they perceive to be a failure in their life, in work and love, like a breakup or getting fired, because what is and isn't a failure can be completely subjective as well, i.e. a breakup with a toxic person could lead you to meet a kind and loving person, and getting fired from a job you hate could lead you to get hired at a job you love. I can't ever accept that I'll live an unfulfilling life, because that makes life seem like it's not really worth living. It's really good to be reminded of this, though. We live our lives with our minds in screen after screen of shiny glitzy fake fantasises and forget that most of our fellow ordinary normal human being actually internally struggle alot with work, love, and life. Peace and love to all of my fellow deep thinkers out there. 💛🌻💛

[@mr.whiteredneckconservativ2754]

+Saba Shah Peace from your fellow Deep Thinker! 🙌

[@gagangautam4718]

very well said !!! 99.99% people look at their life with pessimism and "numbers" make them feel that they are right thats why there is so little successful people out there . if it would be easy everyone would have done it . i dont think that a example of lottery can be apply on life . lottery is something you have no control over but in life you are in commend (if you want to ) you can be successful if you want to , although i am not denying that sometime other factors help you or stops you but if you keep trying and trying and trying you will be successful . if you fail, fail with success and fail as many time as you can cause in the end it all comes down to persistence and courage . now since most people dont wana make an effort they will say" look at the numbers " i once met a very successful person and she told me "if you look beyond the numbers the people who really wants it and wants it bad are so few that there is no competition at all " i witness this all day everyday . its all in the mind !!!!! cheers !!!!!!!!!

[@destroysilence]

And there are so many small successes that we could have throughout a lifetime. Even if you can't make art for a living, you could gradually make paintings and fill up your house, fill up your loved ones' houses, and touch a few lives. Even if you don't find a relationship or many friendships that last a lifetime, you can give it your all and know that you tried, you can savor any what friends you do have. You can give and receive love; you can volunteer with children or become a godparent. You could put on a record everyday while doing the dishes. You could be very happy.

[@destroysilence]

+gagan gautam Yes, that too! How many times have we stumbled upon a lovely amateur blogger or KZbin singer and subscribe, only to realize that they've stopped uploading?

[@ozwasp]

Pop culture sends you mad

[@Bace17]

I get so relaxed listening to this man's videos.

[@handyMath]

Your videos are just brilliant! I am so thankful that I found this channel a couple of months ago.

[@we_are_the_dolphins]

I commend this video and I hate this video. I commend it for appealing to the masses and giving the everyday person a reason to feel good about their lives but I don't necessarily like the impact of this message. For example, it states that 2% of Australians have flat stomachs. Yes, that means 98% don't, but that's misleading. 1 in 50 is not the same as 1 in 14 million. Having a flat stomach is not winning the lottery. Having a flat stomach is entirely attainable for those who have the genetics, health habits and drive to achieve that goal. The lottery takes no skill or discipline. Having a flat stomach is all about discipline and skill. I like the general aim of the video, saying we should be more compassionate towards ourselves, but the other message I got from this video was, "give up, you're not going to get what you want." I wholeheartedly disagree with this and though I love the channel, I'm not a fan of this video. There should have been a message that said something to the effect, "yes everything is a lottery but, in life, you can do things to tip the balance of luck in your direction. Yes, 98 out of 100 businesses fail. But 2 succeed. Is that like winning the lottery? Not even close.

[@jaysonp9426]

Agreed

[@jaysonpaglow7]

Definitely. I felt the same way.

[@ItsAnGoose]

I agree

[@MJILLUSTRATES]

Agreed

[@Leolukpeu]

why don't you agreed though?

[@nonhonome4080]

I don't agree with the idea that if only we had a sense for how unlikely it is to have a "good life" we would feel better about our own lifes, because even in that scenario we would still aim for the best, we would still crave the rarest things and hate the fact that we dont have "what we deserve" even when we put so much effort into it. The problem for most people is not that they dont realise how hard it is to come even close to such ideals, the problem is that people, me included, dont want to be average and to have an average somewhat unfulfilling life, because if thats were to be the case then what is even the point in living? At least that's what i feel is the issue.

[@camaramarcelo]

Thank you School of Life! We need this kind of stuff right now. The high expectations for an ideal life described in the video are exactly what I have in my mind

[@no.pessoa]

The videos of this channel are so delightful

[@youtubingiseasy]

Do a video on De ja vu next please

[@Eshium]

Curious how many other people have thought of this before...? I'd like to inquire the creator of this video about his profession; his IQ because (I apologize, because this will sound snarky) I've been explaining this to people for a little over a year now. I've been refining it for my own channel, but I was kinda let down to see someone beat me to it. That's life I suppose. I guess to view the glass half-full; it appears it was well-received. Still, just curious as to how many of you have polished this idea to this extent -- and if so, if you're really smart, wealthy, or as successful as I hope to be (relative to this channel). Alas, however, I understand (just as it's stated in this video) that this is a mindset we all struggle with. Cheers, and good luck in The Lottery of Life, my friends! ^_^

[@bilalgreen]

The fact that they talked about it before you doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't make your own version of the idea !

[@Eshium]

:)

[@scottverge938]

Definitely do your own video as well. You'll have a different perspective and reach a different audience.

[@b00gi3]

Pretty sure IQ means almost nothing past a certain point, and the idea that intelligence and abilities are measurable by it is pretty much discredited / debunked. I always find the IQ question to be kind of pretentious really.

[@Eshium]

SixSixSix Just like this comment! :^)

[@mdmobashshir432]

Very original content. i really appreciate your work. Your explaining style is the best. This channel needs a lot more views than it currently have. Hope people spread the word.

[@hollyboop5631]

Beautifully said. We are a bunch of faulty creatures, with impossible expectations. Failure does not exist, if you become realistic in terms of expectations, especially in love field.

[@chrisbojerful]

I am aware that this is a youtube channel managed by people who or deeply influenced by western thinking and philosophy - I am so myself. Nonetheless I feel that "The School of Life" should be showing a somewhat wider view of the world. I know very little of african, southamerican, russian and asian thinking. I am not implying that we are different races, but surely we have different ideologies and cultural values and therefore view the world from different perspectives. I guess my point is that i would like to see more information from which thinkers you've gotten your "facts" from. If not so then maybe a meta-video on how your views are no absolute answer but a mere statement of the how the intellectuals of the western culture describes our current societies and values. English is not my native tongue and I hope my point is clear although my choice of words may not be as logical to an English speaker. All in all great videos - but keep an eye for any indeliberate statements that may not show the full picture of any given topic. This comment is not targeted directly at this video.

[@lukosbw]

I don't need your negative thoughts today bye

[@matthewraudebaugh9850]

And stay out

[@whynot7549]

I don't know why I find this funny 😂

[@matthewraudebaugh9850]

+hend goname XD

[@Noise_floorxx]

Oh my god. I needed this laugh! I was thinking the same thing. This is the end??

[@Shynbek]

pretty sure that was sarcasm

[@ArcaneThingOfBeauty]

This gave me so much peace of mind.

[@saubhagyinisingh]

That voice makes me want to listen, not just hear what's being said. Brilliant stuff, better than all those posters/quotes I've come across in my lifetime that said pretty much what this video does but, this one was got it bang on. Well done, guys :)

[@LetsTalkOnePiece]

3;36 damn you school of life it should have been 4 8 15 16 23 42 not 23 42 15 28 31.

[@kurokuma3366]

what?

[@LetsTalkOnePiece]

kamigawa look it up.

[@jeremiahleonard247]

just guessing....Hurley ref?

[@LetsTalkOnePiece]

Jeremiah Leonard lost,not just hurley

[@jeremiahleonard247]

+OnePieceNation I thought so, but wanted to ask without giving it away ;-)

[@wrarmatei]

Ugh. These videos are too often aimed at a demographic who doesn't have to worry about things like crushing debt, health/dental problems that cannot be treated for lack of resources, long term unemployment/underemployment and the other ails of life that plague the working poor; maybe a poor person has a better go at education and making something of their life in the UK than, say, Canada where upwards social mobility is beginning to look closer to the US's.. Worrying about happiness is a nice problem to have. I wish there was a resource that afforded me the cognitive tools to improve an impoverished life that is full of unmet needs. That's a bit perverse anyway, I suppose...things would only get worse if the casualties of neoliberalism made less noise.

[@Dylanlavoue]

Your videos are truly extraordinary, very insightful and heart warming, thks a lot

[@imictfh]

brings a smile to my face everytime ..

[@sKullzoo9]

When I was young I always just assumed I'd find the perfect job and the perfect girl to make my wife. oh how depressing the truth turns out to be....

[@OneBravo1]

Wow. Am I first?

[@K_Huss]

yep

[@RoxyStellar]

😹

[@romangrant2004]

I love this channel,thank you for the amazing work !!

[@juniperstardust5549]

This video made me feel sad and happy at the same time, I wish there were a word that would describe experiencing both feelings at the same time

[@isaacliu896]

so basically be content not ambitious? I don't like.

[@frostice936]

But you need to be ambitious to reach a point in your life when you're content

[@SuperLewiboy]

That's not what he said at all.

[@jesperburns]

If that's what you took from this, you may want to watch it again.

[@Dragonclaw23]

That's not what he said. Bring your ambition with you, do your very best; just bear in mind that having that dream life in your head to play out exactly how you want it has very slim possibilities of occurring. That’s why millionaires are the 1%. That’s why not every girl is Taylor Swift.

[@isaacliu896]

By calling those dreams a lottery, he's essentially saying tone down those aspirations because there's a one in 15 million chance that you'll get them. Either you're trying to get something, or you're not. This video pushes you towards not, and I think many people, especially the young need to be inspired to be ambitious and try at that point in their lives rather than being disparaged by a bunch of statistics.

[@charliemarx9587]

It is so disappointing that this channel (and Alain de Botton in much of his other work) can have such a meaningful insight into the human condition but has so harmfully downplayed the economic (class) dimensions at the heart of it all. Worry, disappointment, anguish, and self-loathing will not cease with an end to a society divided along class lines, but a great many of the problems that lead to such despondency would be eliminated if we could overcome the deeply unequal and horrifically destructive social relations that underpin our society. The School of Life disappoints me in this regard because, of the two or three videos where they discussed such matters (particularly Karl Marx, the nature of capitalism, and 'how to improve capitalism'), they chose, at best, the reformist position, and at worst, a misleading indifference that painted capitalism as a legitimate system that is inherently neutral and only owes its corruption to people. How spectacularly wrong this is.

[@imperishableneet]

Cool it, commie. Positional goods and competition for status make communism impossible. In the few examples of communism "done right", like prehistoric hunter-gatherer bands, the entire group was competing with others for the same scarce resources, and there was typically a big guy in charge bedding a harem of women. It's an inescapable part of the human condition: More is better than less.You see the same in nature: Animals are fucking greedy. Even plants compete for water, space and nutrients. Competition and hierarchy can't be avoided. At best, it can be minimized - unfortunately, society is moving in the opposite direction.

[@kefsound]

This ideas around prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies being so aggressive and competitive are complete pseudoscience.

[@RobNoonanic]

Thanks for this video.

[@iiAngelic]

That was beautiful. Very touching.

[@oliviahesson881]

Love this channel.

[@shivaleelagawanalli7554]

His voice is so soothing

[@LeSpeederus]

That really lifted my sprit right now. Thanks.

[@wuisart717]

lifting mix of clarity in both narrative and animation

[@cinderelly00]

This was so comforting.

[@CamillaAiko]

I am appreciating the frequent uploads!

[@paulpelan2480]

Great video. thanks

[@MrTellyBelly]

Right that does it - I lost my job last week after trying so hard to keep it and now this video saying forget about even dreaming about a better future - just accept most people live in misery - what is there to live for if not the hope of a better future (no matter how improbable). I might as well top myself now - I wonder if the School of Life has done a video on the best way to do this (doesn't matter if they haven't - just did a quick search on KZbin and it bought back 261,000 results!!)

[@Suerte13]

Appreciating this message is a little difficult without a little bit hind sight. Not everyone can appreciate how difficult the things mentioned in the video are to achieve until you have lived through them and realize it, even if you think you have an idea. I find myself at almost 40, made an effort to achieve my goals yet I could have done better, found the right person to marry but plagued with doubts due to some sacrifices I find hard to make and wasted so much time on meaningless en devours. I swear people were not ever meant to consume so much media, so many messages that it warps our mind to define right and wrong in absolutes and find it frustrating when our lives are not turning out that way even at levels beyond on conscience mind. I am glad for this video, I hope it reaches more people.

[@yashsaxena6416]

I got teary eyed watching this video.

[@anersela686]

Thanks!

[@brigitpimm8488]

It's important not to beat yourself up but hope is what keeps you going.

[@commentingcommenter9089]

thank you for this.

[@Armaan8014]

Thank you for this

[@miroslavaandreina8973]

WOW! These videos are SO beautifully made!

[@roywijnen3833]

Thank you for another very interesting video!

[@vzxvzvcxasd7109]

personally, i'd like a video on how time heals everything, therefore "people, be patient" cause it pains me how many people never look over now, causing sadness around

[@ediththeo]

this made me cry

[@dinaownsyou]

this video came at a perfect time for me. thank you

[@randomuser405]

Beautiful.

[@infiniteloop286]

This video gave me a different perspective in my life, i watch a lot of videos that motivate me to purse my life goals and to achieve success. If you really think about it everyone can't make it in life and that's the truth, so for whatever reason if you don't achieve what you set out to achieve. Don't be too harsh on yourself to the point where you are depressed and feel worthless. All i wanna say is your state of mind is everything don't go crazy, keep your mind and body health and go try again. You are a human with dreams go for the career you would love to do, you will never go wrong no matter what the odds are.

[@NathanSimmonds]

This is so great!

[@nevraelisaveta7009]

Feeling grateful!

[@monteiro_ai]

this is really wisdom. thank you.