What remains "vivid and intoxicating" to us is very short lived. And we're constantly seeking more. This is civilization's chronic dissatisfaction. Sam Harris is talking about it in the clip below, and it's nothing new, but he's speaking to a group of people (atheists) least inclined to buy these sorts of ideas, so he has to make it palatable, and he does it ever so eloquently.
This is why I'm an aesthete - trying to maintain those sources of pleasure and satisfaction on a constant basis. Reiterating pleasures and avoiding pains.
"Is it possible to be happy BEFORE gratification?"
"This question lies at the periphery of human consciousness" Harris thinks.
Maybe there's an ounce of dignity in having the self-awareness to know so surely, of myself, that without these sources of pleasure I'd be fucked.
It's difficult to help but wonder if Mr.Harris isn't implementing some strategy he's had for a long time...
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