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Slavoj Žižek | Why Be Happy When You Could Be Interesting? | Big Think

Slavoj Žižek | Why Be Happy When You Could Be Interesting? | Big Think on HackerTube: recommended by 1 Hacker News commenter across 1 month, 2014–2023.

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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.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN shares it as a short, provocative counterpoint in threads on purpose, goals and the pursuit of happiness.

people recommended it
1
separate months
1
strong recommendations
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discussed on HN
2014–2023
“I'll leave you with this 2 minute video from Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek”
— gwilkes, Aug 2016, in “Hunter S. Thompson on Finding Your Purpose (1958)”

What HN commenters said

4 Hacker News comments link this video. Each one links back to its thread.

gwilkesAug 2016Recommends

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

in “Hunter S. Thompson on Finding Your Purpose (1958)” · View on HN

knowhyJan 2023Cites it

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

in “The Daily Habits of Happiness Experts” · View on HN

ak39Nov 2017Cites it

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)

in “Ask HN: What are your long-term goals?” · View on HN

dsaravelMar 2014Cites it

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

in “What if you didn't need money or attention?” · View on HN

Topics & tags

Philosophy & ethicsPsychology & human behaviorzizekhappinessphilosophypurposebig think