[jugjug]

Death-bed regret.

I keep finding surprising consequences of such utility function: balancing daily energy, resting, active work towards higher purpose, enjoying time with friends, calling my parents, helping others, resolving relationship conflicts structurally, long-term investing and financial stability, more courage in general.

[greenbay20]

If you die instantaneously, your death-bed regret is 0, right?

[jugjug]

Yes, but I optimize death-bed regret at this point, when I am alive. Let's say I regret how I behaved to a certain person in the past. When I wholeheartedly apologize and truly regret it, I see the death-bed regret be lower for all days afterwards.

It's like via-negativa for hapinnes [1]: being more happy by removing things that makes me unhappy.

[1] Nassim Taleb - Antifragile

[copperx]

Even if you don't, it will probably not exist. Say, god forbid, you get diagnosed with cancer. Your energy will likely be spent on fighting it, or if terminal, likely in enjoying the last days of your life without pain or finding meaning. Personally, I wouldn't dwell on the things I should have don't but didn't. That would be a waste of precious life.