27. A PHILOSOPHY OF NEW YEARS - Why We Should Embrace The January Illusion

“sometimes we might fail in our resolutions by January 2nd, or at least by February 1st, but it is not the resolution which is important but the time to reflect and think about our lives.”

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22. THE VALUE OF FREE - Why Are We So Distrustful of Getting Something For Nothing?

“Imagine giving a friend a brand new MacBook for their birthday. It is highly likely they will assume the computer is somehow broken, secondhand, or stolen before they would simply accept that you have spent that much money on them and expect nothing in return. Because when something that good is given away for free, for no reason, it makes no sense in a world where everything has a price and where we have been socialised into a worldview that says money has ultimate value and should be collected, even hoarded, as much as possible. To give something of value away for free is the action of a crazy person. Sensible citizens only part with something of value if it will bring them something of more value in return. At least, that is the story we have been conditioned to tell ourselves.”

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9. WHAT EXACTLY IS MY OBLIGATION HERE? - Who Enforces A Promise We Make To Ourself?

“The crucial thing here is that if I did not do any one of these things, nothing at all would happen.  I am not doing them because I believe God told me to and the punishment for failure is hell.  I am not doing it because I signed a legally binding contract and would be in breach if certain things aren’t done.  There is no law compelling me and not even another human being to whom I have made my oath.”

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