"Integrated living is more satisfying than atomic living."
100% true. Life, a good life, a fulfilled life, is greater than the sum of its parts. Yeah, hitting a deadlift PR alone in the gym is cool -- but have you ever had conversation with a buddy towards the end of a great hiking? Shit just hits different when you're having Type-2 fun with friends!
Same thing goes for eating. It's cliché to say everything tastes better when cooked outside, but I'd be willing to wager that it's true -- because more often than not, you're cooking with company when you're cooking outside.
I will say, results might be a little less successful when you try to integrate eating, fitness, and fun. As a camp counselor, we once tried to program "Capture the Cake" as an evening activity for twelve-year olds -- the aftermath in the cabins was reminiscent of a sick ward in London, 1348.
"And for the love of God, can you please stop drinking fucking Huel or Soylent at your desk and talk to someone instead? " Its about time someone said it
The idea that your memory of events is important on top of the events themselves is really interesting. Especially now that I’m considering how often I’ve given myself instant happiness by reflecting on a really good experience. I bet if you could quantify happiness, the really good ones would lose in the immediate but net win in the long term given the good memories.
As someone who used to play a lot of The Sims and found that the easiest way to keep them happy was to find more activities that fulfill multiple needs at once, I think your recommendations sound spot on.
I live in Croatia and for us, there's no lunch that doesn't last for 3 hours. It's simply a time for friends and family. As you said, it's not productive, but it really does make you happy (when you look back) :)
This post is being shared a lot again so I will comment.
I think that while your points are valid, atomization is a proxy for the lack of values oriented living. After all, focused activity can be very rewarding. Your example of a marathon run with tunnel vision and zoning out sound pretty atomized to me. But it becomes Type 2 fun if it is in pursuit of and in accordance with your values.
Eating alone can be a great experience if you focus on the food and savour it.
It's pretty well known that being healthy, conneted to other people and living in service of something greater leads to more happiness. If you do it like this, even atomized activities will become type 2 fun, because they just feel right.
Absolutely incredible post, Nat. So refreshing given the current state of affairs with hustle productivity culture.
Thank you Sameer!
God damn, another banger.
Awesome post. Unfortunate how much of myself I see in this - but this was a refresh.
"Integrated living is more satisfying than atomic living."
100% true. Life, a good life, a fulfilled life, is greater than the sum of its parts. Yeah, hitting a deadlift PR alone in the gym is cool -- but have you ever had conversation with a buddy towards the end of a great hiking? Shit just hits different when you're having Type-2 fun with friends!
Same thing goes for eating. It's cliché to say everything tastes better when cooked outside, but I'd be willing to wager that it's true -- because more often than not, you're cooking with company when you're cooking outside.
I will say, results might be a little less successful when you try to integrate eating, fitness, and fun. As a camp counselor, we once tried to program "Capture the Cake" as an evening activity for twelve-year olds -- the aftermath in the cabins was reminiscent of a sick ward in London, 1348.
That does still sound pretty fun 😆
Probably call that Type-3 fun… fun while it’s happening and miserable when it’s over!
"And for the love of God, can you please stop drinking fucking Huel or Soylent at your desk and talk to someone instead? " Its about time someone said it
Been saying this for years, trash food and backwards priorities
Best health decision I've made was getting a dog. Twice daily walks have been rejuvenating as someone who works remotely from home.
The idea that your memory of events is important on top of the events themselves is really interesting. Especially now that I’m considering how often I’ve given myself instant happiness by reflecting on a really good experience. I bet if you could quantify happiness, the really good ones would lose in the immediate but net win in the long term given the good memories.
As someone who used to play a lot of The Sims and found that the easiest way to keep them happy was to find more activities that fulfill multiple needs at once, I think your recommendations sound spot on.
Genius post!
Such a great read! I’m curious why you called it atomization & de-atomization?
Made sense in my head and I wanted a memorable term people I could coin that people could use to reference the article
How do you find balance between this integrated approach and every task being something you have to schedule and commute to?
Regularly scheduled and local are key? Reduction in overall things you are going to do?
I live in Croatia and for us, there's no lunch that doesn't last for 3 hours. It's simply a time for friends and family. As you said, it's not productive, but it really does make you happy (when you look back) :)
This post is being shared a lot again so I will comment.
I think that while your points are valid, atomization is a proxy for the lack of values oriented living. After all, focused activity can be very rewarding. Your example of a marathon run with tunnel vision and zoning out sound pretty atomized to me. But it becomes Type 2 fun if it is in pursuit of and in accordance with your values.
Eating alone can be a great experience if you focus on the food and savour it.
It's pretty well known that being healthy, conneted to other people and living in service of something greater leads to more happiness. If you do it like this, even atomized activities will become type 2 fun, because they just feel right.
Have you read Slate Star Codex's Meditations on Moloch?
https://slatestarcodex.com/2014/07/30/meditations-on-moloch/
Feel like atomization is similar to the chase for an abstract goal.
gold, thanks Nat
Wow this is really an incredible essay! This explains why middle and high school were fun: minimum 7 hours of integrated social/work/food/outdoor