Indistractable

‘Letter to Menoeceus’, contained in Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Book X.

Operating under constraints, Bogost says, is the key to creativity and fun.

‘First, pay close, foolish, even absurd attention to things.’

It’s good to know that feeling bad isn’t actually bad; it’s exactly what survival of the fittest intended.

Even when we think we’re seeking pleasure, we’re actually driven by the desire to free ourselves from the pain of wanting.

‘If satisfaction and pleasure were permanent, there might be little incentive to continue seeking further benefits or advances.’

negative events are more salient and demand attention more powerfully than neutral or positive events’.

Only by understanding our pain can we begin to control it and find better ways to deal with negative urges.

Dissatisfaction and discomfort dominate our brain’s default state, but we can use them to motivate us instead of defeat us.