Executive summary: The author argues, based on Helen Toner’s advice and examples from impactful people, that valuing personal joy outside work is compatible with—and may support—meaningful impact.
Key points:
Helen Toner suggests people should “diversify sources of joy and meaning” beyond work and actively talk about and celebrate them.
The author initially doubted this but now believes that skepticism was mistaken, partly due to Toner’s subsequent impact.
The author gathered responses from impactful individuals to reinforce the idea that non-work joy has value.
Many respondents cite relationships and time with loved ones as central sources of meaning and joy.
Others highlight activities like nature, hobbies, creativity, and physical exercise as important non-work joys.
Some respondents either deliberately seek “meaningless joy” to avoid over-instrumentalizing life or question the usefulness of “meaning” as a concept.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, andcontact us if you have feedback.
Executive summary: The author argues, based on Helen Toner’s advice and examples from impactful people, that valuing personal joy outside work is compatible with—and may support—meaningful impact.
Key points:
Helen Toner suggests people should “diversify sources of joy and meaning” beyond work and actively talk about and celebrate them.
The author initially doubted this but now believes that skepticism was mistaken, partly due to Toner’s subsequent impact.
The author gathered responses from impactful individuals to reinforce the idea that non-work joy has value.
Many respondents cite relationships and time with loved ones as central sources of meaning and joy.
Others highlight activities like nature, hobbies, creativity, and physical exercise as important non-work joys.
Some respondents either deliberately seek “meaningless joy” to avoid over-instrumentalizing life or question the usefulness of “meaning” as a concept.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, and contact us if you have feedback.