Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of success

“In the middle ages in England when you met a very poor person that person would be described as an unfortunate- literally someone who had not been blessed by fortune- an unfortunate. 

Now days, particularly in the United States, if you meet someone at the bottom of society they may be unkindly be described as a loser”

Ted Talks are an internet black hole. Watch one then suddenly you're sucked in and hours are gone from your life. Luckily, unlike cat videos and porn you come out a little bit smarter and a little bit more aware of the world around you.

This Alain de Botton video, and particularly this one quote is something I've had stuck in my head all week (though to be honest I've watched alot of his videos this week and they've all been stuck in my head).

To me it's a vivid reminder that a) the world just isn't fair- but it's alot more unfair to others than it is to us, and b) we don't need to conform to expectations, and neither should we expect others to conform to ours.

Even though this video goes for about 15 minutes it hardly seems like anytime at all. I'm sure others would agree with me when I say I could listen to him speak all day.

If you agree too, and haven't seen it already go and watch Religion For Atheists right NOW.

You'll thank me I promise.