Why Crazy Activism is Taking Over the West — Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks

Happiness is not a singular feeling to be pursued, but a combination of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning. The pursuit of pleasure often leads to addiction rather than fulfillment, as the brain’s limbic system is designed for survival rather than constant happiness. True satisfaction requires the struggle of accomplishment, while meaning provides the necessary "why" for existence. Modern technology, particularly the constant use of smartphones, shifts brain activity toward the left hemisphere, which focuses on information and things, thereby starving the right hemisphere of the mystery and significance required for a meaningful life. Identity politics and victimhood further exacerbate anxiety and depression by fostering a negative self-image. Ultimately, embracing life’s inevitable suffering—rather than resisting it—is essential for living fully, as gratitude and the pursuit of deep, romantic love provide the foundation for a life worth living.