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by tonyedgecombe 151 days ago
I remember reading that slightly depressed people tend to have a more accurate world view.

Perhaps there is something to the saying ignorance is bliss.

2 comments

I might be misunderstanding, but I wouldn't call "un-depressed" people ignorant.

I also think depressed people would regress to the average if they weren't depressed. It's not a sustainable way to think harder and open your eyes to the world around you.

Yes I remember reading that too and it resonated. As a slightly depressed person I can't believe the delusionally positive spin people seem to put on everything and nonetheless this seems to be a winning strategy for them. I never could explain that.

Starting with an accurate world model, no matter how dispiriting, seems to be a prerequisite for knowing the most effective action to take.