# The Natural State of Discontent By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-08-12 What natural state of contentment is more advantageous for a species? If one is naturally content, there is little motivation to pursue "better." Life is good, so why do anything else? If one constantly leans toward discontent, one always looks for something better or some improvement. We quickly see that we lean towards discontent when looking at the human species. Most seek more and better in an endless search to be satisfied. This has propelled us forward as a species, never to be complacent. However, this natural suffering has just as many downsides as upsides. We pursue technology and increased living standards while feeling sad and depressed shortly after climbing the mountain. Most billionaires keep trying to get more money, even when it logically makes little sense other than our natural state of being is discontentment. This way of being is ingrained in who we are. It explains why the philosophy and practicalities of suffering remain at the core of nearly every enduring form of human expression. Our myths, beliefs, stories, culture, economy, science, philosophy, and society revolve around our natural suffering and discontent. It drives us forward to keep going because we can experience the good, but it quickly fades as we return to our natural way of being. Many attempt to transcend this as the discontent state often leaves a path of destruction. But what would the world look like if humans weren't this way? It may be a great way to start but a horrible way to end. Just as the young are more ambitious and the older grow more content, may our path as a species evolve beyond the default way of suffering. The problem is that we aren't remotely close to achieving this. Thinking about how one leverages this way of existence to achieve progress is advisable. People always seek better; one must flip the suitable switches to make it happen. The status quo stands no chance in a head-to-head battle with human suffering. #### Related Items [[Content]] [[Suffering]] [[The Human Condition]] [[Philosophy]] [[Status Quo]] [[Perspective]] [[Systems Thinking]] [[Evolution]]