Philosophy: Seek to Know Yourself Better!

Humans by default aren’t lazy!

A lot of psychologists and pseudo-intellectuals spout that humans are naturally lazy and unmotivated, and this is the cause of our obesity, our lethargy, and laziness. I disagree. I think by nature, humans are adventurous, explorers, and curious individuals who are rather made passive by video games, media, news, social media, celebrity gossip, junk food, drugs, alcohol, etc.


In diet and exercise circles, some “experts” say that by default, humans seek to conserve energy, and therefore are naturally “lazy” and won’t expend unnecessary energy.

I disagree with this line of thinking. Of course I cannot speak for everyone, but I’ll speak for myself.

For myself, I get antsy when I stay indoors all day, or if I go long periods of time without exercising, lifting weights, or walking/moving. My body craves movement and physical exertion; without it I get depressed, anxious, frustrated, and my brain doesn’t work as well.

This is my theory why the winter months can be so brutal: not because of the cold, but because the cold prohibits us from going outside and walking around as much. When it’s cold and miserable outside, it is more difficult to be physically active. I know in places where it snows, the snow and ice can even prevent you from driving to to the gym, or prevent you from even leaving your home.


If you’re interested in photography or street photography, you are a natural explorer. You desire to discover new things, new places, you desire to meet and encounter new peoples, and you desire to make new photos! Therefore the spirit of hustle, movement, and axtivs energy is what comprises your DNA!


So what are the practical takeaways from this line of thinking or philosophy?

  1. If you belive that humans are naturally NOT lazy, you begin to have a much more optimistic view of humankind, and even yourself! Remember this narrative of humans being “naturally lazy” isn’t truth; it’s just some opinion or line of thinking which is propagated in our society by “scientists” and other authority-figures/”experts”. Therefore realize that you are allowed to have your own personal philosophical outlook on human beings and human behavior. I don’t think we will ever understand the human being, or biology 100%, which makes studying humanity so interesting! (sociology).
  2. Don’t worry so much about the motivations of other humans; you’ll never know what the true intentions of other human beings are, and even they might not know their own motivations. Instead, seek to fully understand your own motivations in life, but also realize that no matter how smart or wise we become, there will always be limits to our own human understanding of ourselves.
  3. I am optimistic that we can discover more about ourselves, and the more we discover about ourselves the more purposefully and effectively we can live our own lives, to achieve the goals we truly desire to achieve!

Thus the ultimate takeaway is this:

Seek to know thyself (better).

ERIC