[andai]

I was going to suggest Dr. Peterson, but Ctrl+F revealed a veritable graveyard of downvoted comments about him already. That's too bad.

So I'll go with Steve Pavlina's [0] work instead.

Steve Pavlina's blog is a mix of solid personal development advice mixed with a journal of his self experimentation.

His most interesting work is on belief systems, and on deliberately installing new belief systems to improve your life.

An interesting note is that he has released most of his work into the public domain. I'm working on audio versions of his articles.

[0]: https://stevepavlina.com/

[koonsolo]

I used to love Steve's writing (back in the game developer days and some after). But I got the impression that he was becoming more and more eccentric/crazy.

I haven't read his articles in a while, so maybe they are more sane now.

[sireat]

About 10 years ago Steve seemed really on the level of someone like Joel regarding software development and general life advice.

Now it seems Steve is all crazy stuff.

For example this is Timecube level thinking: https://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2019/02/your-10-dimensiona...

[johnchristopher]

I disagree. I don't believe Pavlina has the track record of Joel regarding software development. His life advice at that time was "stop sleeping, you'll do more and let's see how far we can ride that secret thing" while claiming being telepathic and talking to birds.

Now I wouldn't be surprised if Steve made way more money than Joel.

[koonsolo]

These seem to already be the crazy days.

I remember when he was selling games way before any "indie games", even before Bejewled if I remember correctly.

I also thought regarding sleep, that he woke up every morning at the same time, and went to bed when he was tired.

[andai]

He does. But for 6 months, he just took a 20 minute nap every 4 hours (no 'core' sleep).

[sridca]

That's a clever way to mention (suggest) Mr. Peterson and evade the downvotes. :-P

Being an individualist I don't agree with his life advice one bit.

Those that are not looking to settle down to anything less than perfect in life I'd suggest looking up "Actual Freedom".

[slothtrop]

> Being an individualist I don't agree with his life advice one bit.

Without knowing much about him, my impression was such that he's a staunch individualist

[sridca]

I have read parts of his book and watched some of his lectures, and would hardly characterize him as a person who is independent and self-reliant (which is what the word individualist refers to).

Just for starters, allowing your well-being dependent on being above some level in some social hierarchy is hardly considered being self-reliant.

[slothtrop]

> hardly characterize him as a person who is independent and self-reliant

Maybe you have some example as to why.

> allowing your well-being dependent on being above some level in some social hierarchy is hardly considered being self-reliant.

This sounds like a mischaracterization of whatever it is is espoused. No one lives in a bubble, but a strong social network isn't antithetical to self-reliance, because self-reliance isn't an absolute nor is it purported to be - 0 people are entirely self-reliant in the literal sense. It's in practice about initiative, to move beyond a stagnant dependency. For example, seeking professional help in the instance of mental health to improve our lot, or reading a book to that same end, is an example of self-reliance at work. No one can make you do it. You have to want to improve. I see it as self-motivation.

[sridca]

I'm talking specifically about the life advice being dished out by Mr. Peterson. Given that you said "without knowing much about him" perhaps you should first familiarize yourself with what he is promulgating before continuing this discussion.

[slothtrop]

If you know, you can sum it. Should be easy if you criticize it in abstract