why is everyone so unhappy?

From every corner of humanity, it seems that sadness is not just something to be overcome, but also something that is desired. In this video, I explore the extensive trope of misery in literature and parallel this to our world. Because after all, we understand ourselves best through the stories we tell.

[Self-Duality]

“Extensive exposure to misery conditions us to believe that if we haven’t endured enough suffering, then we haven’t lived a life worthy of inspiration.” — such a brilliant observation!

[allenniumfalcon]

I find cheering people up gives me more pleasure than sharing my pain. I don't like putting people on a downer or feeling sorry. If I make someone laugh or cheer them up to me that's a win. I probably sound like an idiot amongst you super brains but so what

[matthewgarner]

People like bragging about their pain...

[Self-Duality]

Excellent exposition… I’ll be re-watching this various times 💖⭐️😌💭

[davidderidder]

Very valid topic Reyna! I have been feeling very lonely holding this opinion and am encouraged to see a fellow human acknowledging that there is a pattern of deriving pleasure from pain.

[zoobee]

because feeling sad is sometimes better than feeling nothing at all

[raviamodernepic]

I do think art focuses on suffering because it provides inspiration/a way forward. Overcoming suffering or struggle is necessary in the allegory narrative to arrive at the concept of happiness like Murakami pointed out. But I agree; it feels like people have gotten enamored with the idea that more suffering = more reward. Adam Smith would be proud.

[PhilosophyToons]

I agree with your point on agency, which is why I think art that pushes a redemption narrative can be really powerful. Something like Ingmar Bergman's film "Wild Strawberries" where the character suffers from a harsh life lived but wants to make amends in the end.

[gauchequizon]

I think happiness becomes more difficult to attain with adulthood. When we're kids or if you observe children, they haven't learned adult cognition and don't know how to navigate their emotions. So children are very expressive and as we age, we unlearn everything and let society dictate what "success" and "happiness" is. Give a child an ice cream and they'll feel so fulfilled. But for adults, we know it's temporary and we worry about "the bigger picture." And the world is cruel, people profit off others' traumas and miseries.

I used to believe the more you struggle, the better your art, but it really doesn't have to be like that at all. It might make someone's work more relatable and maybe interesting, but it isn't a necessity. Personally speaking, when I'm in a bad space mentally, my art doesn't translate, but if I'm in a great mood, I can come up with work I'm proud of. I also had a very rough childhood, but I don't use it as a source for any work I create. I do think the more you've struggled, the easier life can be if you remember all the hardships you've overcome.

[samuelcharles]

“Happiness is a full acceptance of what’s happening right now”

- Elliot Hulse

[akashdeep-xcnc]

If you want pleasure than ready for pain .
That's ultimate truth, so what can we do ? nothing just observe pain and pleasure

[MochitoMaker]

Damn, such wise words. How can one be so eloquent about such complicated things?!
Thank you.

[evanbarker]

I think another perspective yet less stressed in this video is that artists tend to employ these things to not fetishize them but to make them visibly apparent in the case that they are more emphasized in the future by members in society; it’s giving people a picture so they can be assuaged by it in a sense when they see it in reality and not be too shocked

[TurtleneckPhilosophy]

Fantastic video! Your words reminded me of Ella Frances when she wrote, “When one is considering the universe, it is important, sensible even, to try and find some balance between laughter and uncontrollable weeping.” Somehow, adrift on our tiny blue planet, we've manufactured so many causes for weeping. But I think this balance that Ella gets at is necessary to keep creative writing from the boring over-saturation of misery porn.
Also, in considering your other video on distraction, I think that Ella's word on balance might be wisely applied to silence--or a stage of being left alone with one's own thoughts--in order to experience a sense of identity (as you speak of it here at the end of this video)...But you're most likely already aware of all this; so don't mind me as I double dip here in Ella's quote :)

[DragonCaptain]

Another amazing video 📸✍️ I once again thank you for doing all of us some more exploring

[vladdyydaddy]

I think pain is a catalyst for change, probably the only thing to give sufficient power to change or we just play the victim and sit in our misery, as I have many times. But try to use my pain for service to others. But I'm very selfish at times

[LaytonObserves]

Super succinct observation! During part of my undergrad degree, at the time, I found it annoying that, seemingly, students that wrote misery pr0n stories were almost instantly well received by the rest of the class. Almost as though it were a competition of who could make the most esoteric, "textured" misery material. I guess it's just a really accessible "frequency"! to tap into... So the writing is conflated as being good. ANYWAYS, really astute observation. We really do be living in a society

[JohnSpence-ru]

Misery is being separated from what one desires. In order to escape misery, it is necessary to escape desire. This is the foundation of the Buddhist philosophy. Many modern cultures spend a great deal of time pursuing desires. With so much to desire, there is little likelihood of having it all. This itself makes a much of the population miserable, at least part of the time. Perhaps the attraction to misery is the result of a desire to find companionship in the common condition.

[danlektro]

Great observations as usual! I find it very difficult to get through many indie films or modern literature because they remind me of the horribly depressing and downbeat YA novels I was required to read in middle school and high school. Or as you put it, Misery Porn. You also touched on a crucial element - the absence of agency. I tire of reading about passive lead characters who exist only to be abused by the universe.

Much of our society seems structured to teach us that optimism, happiness, and pride are superficial and shallow and only negative emotions are deep and meaningful. It's little wonder we are surrounded by nihilism, then. True optimism, true happiness, and true pride are powerfully strong and sophisticated qualities that can and should be aspired to. But as long as people use suffering as their true measure, we are surrounded by those who define themselves in pain and sadness.

[SonnyWane]

I think artist often focus their art in misery because it's one of the most foundational and unavoidable truth of being. The existentialists, who believe in essentially no objective meaning, cannot even think himself out of reality of pain and suffering. So it's not a question of: "why is misery so prevalent in our art and expression?" because how could it not be? The real question is: "how is it ever not part of our art?" I think art/life without the aspect of misery is actually the boring and malformed art/life.