I in general agree with his point.
Many people have this min-maxing attitude which is very useful for society when correctly directed.
But often we just use it for tasks which aren't truly productive.
Usefulness to society is only meaningful if a society is going somewhere. Modern societies don't have any collective goals, they are just drifting agglomerations of individuals, most of them intent on their own enrichment or pleasure. So there is nothing for talented individuals to contribute to, and they may as well channel their energies into following their own curiosity.
So what is important then? You can take Occam's Razor to most things in life... At the root of it we're just animals and we don't need much above subsistence to live life. Everything we enjoy and desire are just products of our culture.
I've come across a few posts recently talking about relationships and friendships. When you're in your old age and look back, this is what you remember. If chess is a proxy to that, then it's meaningful.
Nothing. Importance and meaning are human constructs. What is important/meaningful to each of us is simply what _feels_ important/meaningful to us. There's no extrinsic measure of importance/meaning, although others will continually try to tell you there is.
It's true though that for many (most?) people relationships feel meaningful, so it's a good bet to do things that build those if you're not sure.
You are looking at the wrong end of the stick. Things are not intrinsically meaningful, we are the ones giving and defining meaning. And a subset of meanings can be shared with your culture. Only that, but all of that.
Per that philosophy, what carries meaning is helping others. The builds the deepest friendships. If you don't have a way to do that -- all needs are met, and people don't need help -- playing a game of Settlers or Chess is a form a socialization and helpful.
But overall, if you can work together towards some meaningful cause, that builds something deeper.
Pick one of these:
* OpenAI just went from "Let's prevent Skynet" to "Let's build Skynet for power and profit"
* Health. Pick one.
* Education.
* Food insecurity
* War on Ukraine
...
Depending on your position and personality, either try to fix it, or try to fix some small element of it. Something like "education" can be anything from tutoring one child in your neighborhood to trying to build a worldwide free online university. "Health" can be anything from organizing a sports soccer club for kids in your community to trying to cure cancer.
That's important.
Other corners:
* Causes: Abortion (saving babies versus women's rights). Gun control (2nd amendment/rule-of-law versus saving lives). Religion. vi/emacs/MS Code. Some of these appear to have a clear right/wrong (but some would argue we have no objective way to tell which is which), some do not, but if you get drawn in, these will simply suck your soul and you'll do no good. It's mostly just destructive struggle.
I personally use emacs, but I acknowledge the scientifically proven superiority of vi. The superiority of vi was demonstrated -- indisputably, and using the strongest of possible methodologies -- in 1998. Unless something has changed significantly since then, I cannot argue, in good faith, that I use a superior editor.
It's sometimes long-term entertainment as well. László Polgár married and raised 3 girls to be chess grandmasters. And we're still waiting for season 2: a father to raise 3 daughters to become heavy machinery operators.
For context, this comes in reply to the cohost complaining that a lot of talented young players quit chess to pursue a college education. Caruana is basically replying that it’s a bit strange to regret people choosing to stop playing a board game to go do things with potentially broader impact instead.
I in general agree with his point. Many people have this min-maxing attitude which is very useful for society when correctly directed. But often we just use it for tasks which aren't truly productive.
Usefulness to society is only meaningful if a society is going somewhere. Modern societies don't have any collective goals, they are just drifting agglomerations of individuals, most of them intent on their own enrichment or pleasure. So there is nothing for talented individuals to contribute to, and they may as well channel their energies into following their own curiosity.
Many people also have the attitude that the meaning of life is to be productive. But often they miss life's point entirely.
So what is important then? You can take Occam's Razor to most things in life... At the root of it we're just animals and we don't need much above subsistence to live life. Everything we enjoy and desire are just products of our culture.
I've come across a few posts recently talking about relationships and friendships. When you're in your old age and look back, this is what you remember. If chess is a proxy to that, then it's meaningful.
> So what is important then?
Nothing. Importance and meaning are human constructs. What is important/meaningful to each of us is simply what _feels_ important/meaningful to us. There's no extrinsic measure of importance/meaning, although others will continually try to tell you there is.
It's true though that for many (most?) people relationships feel meaningful, so it's a good bet to do things that build those if you're not sure.
You are looking at the wrong end of the stick. Things are not intrinsically meaningful, we are the ones giving and defining meaning. And a subset of meanings can be shared with your culture. Only that, but all of that.
So, take your pick, or follow what others think.
I like the book Man's Search for Meaning.
Per that philosophy, what carries meaning is helping others. The builds the deepest friendships. If you don't have a way to do that -- all needs are met, and people don't need help -- playing a game of Settlers or Chess is a form a socialization and helpful.
But overall, if you can work together towards some meaningful cause, that builds something deeper.
Pick one of these:
* OpenAI just went from "Let's prevent Skynet" to "Let's build Skynet for power and profit"
* Health. Pick one.
* Education.
* Food insecurity
* War on Ukraine
...
Depending on your position and personality, either try to fix it, or try to fix some small element of it. Something like "education" can be anything from tutoring one child in your neighborhood to trying to build a worldwide free online university. "Health" can be anything from organizing a sports soccer club for kids in your community to trying to cure cancer.
That's important.
Other corners:
* Causes: Abortion (saving babies versus women's rights). Gun control (2nd amendment/rule-of-law versus saving lives). Religion. vi/emacs/MS Code. Some of these appear to have a clear right/wrong (but some would argue we have no objective way to tell which is which), some do not, but if you get drawn in, these will simply suck your soul and you'll do no good. It's mostly just destructive struggle.
* Personal gain: Again, empty void.
Those are worse than chess.
> Religion. vi/emacs/MS Code. Some of these appear to have a clear right/wrong
Clearly Emacs in this case.
/flamebait
I personally use emacs, but I acknowledge the scientifically proven superiority of vi. The superiority of vi was demonstrated -- indisputably, and using the strongest of possible methodologies -- in 1998. Unless something has changed significantly since then, I cannot argue, in good faith, that I use a superior editor.
But if you use emacs in evil mode, are you really using emacs?
Its entertainment
It's sometimes long-term entertainment as well. László Polgár married and raised 3 girls to be chess grandmasters. And we're still waiting for season 2: a father to raise 3 daughters to become heavy machinery operators.
people used to raise 10+ kids to work on the farm
For context, this comes in reply to the cohost complaining that a lot of talented young players quit chess to pursue a college education. Caruana is basically replying that it’s a bit strange to regret people choosing to stop playing a board game to go do things with potentially broader impact instead.