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Slavoj Žižek | Why Be Happy When You Could Be Interesting? | Big Think

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1 HN user recommended this commentary1 month2014–2023 score 1
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026

HN shares it as a short, provocative counterpoint in threads on purpose, goals and the pursuit of happiness.

A two-minute Big Think clip of Slavoj Zizek arguing that happiness is a conformist, even unethical goal. He asks why one would want to be happy when one could be interesting.

“I'll leave you with this 2 minute video from Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek” (HN, 2016)

1 recommendations · 3 citations · Commentary

4 Hacker News comments

From the HN archive; up to 20 kept per video, favoring different commenters. Recommendations first.

@gwilkes Aug 2016 Recommends
on HN thread Hunter S. Thompson on Finding Your Purpose (1958)
Andrew, you're fine. I'm going to guess that you're American as America is the most happy-obsessed culture in the world in my experience. Happiness as virtue is not universal, maybe you need some more time abroad. I know you said you visited 100 countries but visiting 100 countries and living in another country for many years is quite a different thing. Or maybe you just need different friends or perhaps a meditation practice, I don't know. I'll leave you with this 2 minute video from Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek, "Why Be Happy When You Could Be Interesting?": [this video]
Short Zizek take questioning happiness as the goal

Citations, criticism and jokes

@ak39 Nov 2017 Cites it
on HN thread Ask HN: What are your long-term goals?
I see your Mr Peterson (whom I love), and I raise you with the inimitable and sporadically brilliant Slavoj Zizek - whom I fucking hate so much that I love too. Happiness is an unethical "cut-ay-gory": [this video] (For those you aren't aware of his tick, don't watch, just listen)
Zizek on happiness as an unethical category
@knowhy Jan 2023 Cites it
on HN thread The Daily Habits of Happiness Experts
Slavoj Žižek [1] sees happiness as a conformist category. He argues that: > We don't really want what we think we desire. [1]: [this video]
Zizek sees happiness as a conformist category

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