[Loughla]

Like literally everything else, it's about balance.

No, you shouldn't let the world dictate your choices every single day.

But also you need to conform to some amount of societal standard. Social norms exist sometimes to keep society working and moving forward.

As for happiness, if you are trying to 'get' happiness through external forces, you're never going to be happy. That's not a secret.

[kazagistar]

And sometimes the social norm's arent helpful. In the article, he makes it clear he rejects each norm mentioned specifically because he has reflected on it and found it non helpful, and at least slightly harmful (if only to individual autonomy and happyness). Saying norm's can help is a platitude, but when considered individually you might find most are only actually more beneficial then harmful very situationally.

[Loughla]

Obviously. Saying norms can help is a platitude. So is saying they don't help with no thought. And that is what I believe most people take from articles like this one.

My problem with these sorts of articles that pop up every now and then is that folks tend to absorb less the 'evaluate your life in its own context' message, and instead hear 'you can be a hot weirdo with no repercussions'. Which is just flat wrong.

I fully agree with you that every person needs to evaluate their place in society and see whether their role is their role or just what they believe is expected. (completely separate tangent, I also believe more people should experience psychedelic drugs for this very reason)