[Plato]

Truth hurts. I'm seeing a lot of resistance in this thread. We can't get enough of the happy happy world of quick fix personal development (early rising, et al).

I know Steve doesn't write with the intention of quick fixes but that is what a lot of people (myself included often enough) read. When Steve talks about the benefits of personal growth we don't think about slow long term gradual imrpovement. We think "Oooh, a new fantasy to occupy my head space for 2 days and fill me with the hope I can live for ever and ever without ever putting in any effort, ever again, and life will be a wonderful dreammm..."

I know by making it sound so ridiculous we all go "Nah, not me, that's absurd"... but go on, admit it. We read Steve Pavlina not because we are looking for strategic, sustainable (A.K.A. smart) growth and development. We read his articles because they give us hope that we don't have to suffer any more. They point to a brighter future... unfortunately one that is pure fantasy. Here and now is where it's at. Growth isn't always visible and that can be distressing. We want it to be dramatic and climactic, and go whiz pop, with a nice burst of Existential pleasure.

I think if we are all being honest, there is little hope of the environmental problem being reversed. In a way I'm really glad we have this issue. What could be a better legacy to future generations than a defiled world? It screams "This is what the quick fix mentality does!"

Future generations are going to have the privilege of a constant reminder to grow and take care of the world. They're also going to have the fun challenge of trying to survive in some really funky conditions.

The perspective I choose is that this isn't disaster. A bit of healthy self destruction is exactly what we need. After that we can get on with the long, pleasurable and strenous path of mastery.