h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Love this site, though I think it will push anxiety levels much higher because now there is *proof* "they" are out to make us miserable.

Actually, the "How to Find Your Own Purpose" page reads deceptively obvious, but really...have you ever sat down and written out what you like about yourself, how you most like spending your time and your idea of a perfect world?

No, I haven't written out a list like that, Zmrzlina. Have you? But I am delighted that you enjoyed Anxiety Culture. If this week's "Notes From A Small Planet" made just one person look at that site, then it was worth writing.

I'm 41 years old and not very impressionable, but that site has made a huge impression on me. I find its message very liberating. As you say, some of the points it makes seem deceptively obvious. Of course managers at work keep us "in our places" by making us feel inadequate and insecure. Of course advertisers try to make us feel as if we're nothing if we don't buy the products they're pushing. Of course governments tell us that we should want work - ANY work. But sometimes, living in a culture where those messages are broadcast day in, day out, it's helpful to be reminded that they're not necessarily telling the truth.

I think that what I love most about AI is that it makes it feel cool and radical to be happy, because if you can manage that then you're beating the conditioning! If you have liberal concerns about the evils of the world, it's too easy to end up feeling as if it's somehow decadent and immoral to relax and enjoy yourself, and to end up worrying so much that you make yourself too ill to be any use to any good cause.

Well, on Friday after I'd signed on for my welfare payments, I went for a walk in the park in the sunshine. And you know what? I was REALLY HAPPY to be there and not stuck in an office working at some soul-crushing job! Relaxation is healthier than responsibility and stress! Again, a statement that makes obvious sense - but somehow, it feels liberating and exciting to say it openly!

In fact, I have made a list like that, but not actually written it down. And I do enjoy my work very much, so perhaps I am finding ways around the conditioning. I also watch very little tv and hardly ever go to the movies and that probably helps, too.

Hey...happy is cool. Not so sure I am willing to give into trading responsibility for relaxation, though. Or maybe it is just the responsibility that goes with stress?

I'll poke in every once and a while and see how you are enjoying your liberation. Hope you find that it really does lead to finding the energy to work for a good cause.

That's very interesting - I won't ask for the contents of your list! I do have a sense of responsibility in terms of fulfilling my commitments to family and friends. "Notes From A Small Planet" takes one full working day per week, for a start, and it means that I have to take a keen interest in the news. But I've always done so anyway, and writing the column is interesting and satisfying work. That sort of work doesn't erode the soul!

Yup...writing is good for you. Writing stuff you want to write anyway. That is probably why I like my job. I get to write about stuff I am interested in, though that sure doesn't make it stress-free. Probably good stress and bad stress. I got lots of good stress. Hmmm...that doesn't work for me. Good stress sounds like doublespeak

Anyway, I just wrote out my answers to those questions in a very abbreviated form and post to my weblog. I should print it out and post it over my computers at work and home.