[ScottAS]

Some Buddhist wisdom:

In life, we will always find “shining cities” to chase. The perfect house, the perfect job, the perfect romantic partner, the perfect software team.

But, like a mirage, when we reach these goals it seems that the thing we thought was perfect is actually riddled with flaws.

“The shining city” is purely a mental construct, one that gives us structure and purpose, staving off “existential nausea” - the anxiety that comes from living a directionless existence.

The way to everlasting peace is to be able to acknowledge: “we live in the shining city right now. Everything is operating according to the laws of physics, humans follow human nature and their genetics. Everything is exactly how it should be.”

But this isn’t “giving up”. It’s ok for us to have “shining city goals”. It’s human nature. It’s fun and allows us to experience a journey.

But at the end of the day when you see the mirage fade, smile about the journey and the experiences you had along the way.

[booleandilemma]

The way to everlasting peace is to be able to acknowledge: “we live in the shining city right now. Everything is operating according to the laws of physics, humans follow human nature and their genetics. Everything is exactly how it should be.”

This is not wisdom, it’s nonsense.

If we followed this advice 2000 years ago we would still be practicing open defecation and dying at the age of 30.

[ScottAS]

I bet if you measured contentment levels then and now you would not find much of a difference! In fact you might find people are less content now than shitting in a ditch 2000 years ago.

But I did not mean this as an excuse for “non-progress”. Humans will “progress”, it’s their natural instinct and drive. It makes more sense to make our lives easier than to make it harder.

But the shining city doesn’t exist, and there’s nothing that will significantly increase our internal contentment but winning the internal battle of acceptance.

[zkomp]

It is much more nuanced. Peace is about: accepting and appreciating what you have, and don't have (i.e appreciate the actual reality). Progress is making it better.

You will need both, change and the ability to see what is good and works in the current reality.

[gerbilly]

Yes 2000 years ago, when people were defecating in the open and dying at 30, things were just as they should be, since it brought us to our current state where we have sanitation and live to 100.

[james_s_tayler]

Maybe that's where it should have stayed...?

[jdmichal]

On top of this, not everyone's "shining city" is the same. At a minimum, the "shining city" mentioned by the author was apparently incompatible with management's "shining city".