How Not To Go Insane And End Up Killing Yourself

Summary

In this video, Sam Garens discusses the overwhelming nature of information in modern society and its impact on mental health. He suggests that the ability to exclude information and focus on eternal truths, such as those found in scriptures, is a crucial 'superpower' for maintaining sanity and resisting the 'insanity' of the world.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Sam Garens, emphasizes the importance of managing the overwhelming amount of information in modern society and its impact on mental health.
• 😥 The title of the talk, 'how not to go insane and end up killing yourself,' is acknowledged as clickbait but reflects a serious underlying concern about societal pressures.
• 🧠 The speaker suggests that despite the abundance of information, people are not necessarily wiser and may be becoming less intelligent due to the constant bombardment of trivial or superficial content.
• 🏺 Historical comparison is made, indicating that people from the past, who had less information, were better able to think and conduct their affairs.
• 🌐 The speaker criticizes the current societal norms, suggesting that they are deluded and evil, and that recognizing this can make one feel isolated or 'nuts' in the eyes of others.
• 💪 The concept of 'resilience' is introduced, suggesting that some people have an innate resistance to societal pressures and a natural allegiance to truth.
• 📱 The speaker discusses the addictive nature of modern technology, particularly social media, and how it manipulates people's survival instincts, leading to a detrimental effect on mental health.
• 🚫 The speaker advocates for the 'new superpower' of exclusion, the ability to turn off and choose what information to consume, as a way to maintain mental health and clarity.
• 🌐 The speaker recommends focusing on eternal truths, such as those found in scriptures, as a way to maintain perspective and strength in the face of societal insanity.
• 📚 The speaker suggests that reading and understanding scriptures can provide a foundation for navigating the 'insanity' of modern society and help individuals retain their sanity.
• 🌟 The speaker ends by reinforcing the idea that recognizing the temporary nature of current societal issues can help individuals maintain their mental health and focus on what truly matters.

Q & A

What is the main subject discussed by Sam Garens in the video?

The main subject discussed by Sam Garens is how to cope with the overwhelming amount of information in today's society and not succumb to the pressures that can lead to mental instability.

What does Sam Garens suggest is the current state of society according to his perspective?

Sam Garens suggests that society is currently in a state of insanity, which he believes has been building for about a hundred years and is characterized by people being deluded and manipulated by information.

What does Sam Garens believe is the 'new superpower' in the context of today's information overload?

Sam Garens believes that the 'new superpower' is the ability to exclude or filter out unnecessary information, to turn things off, and to choose when and what to access.

How does Sam Garens describe the impact of modern information on people's wisdom and intelligence?

Sam Garens argues that despite the abundance of information, people are not becoming wiser; in fact, he suggests that they are becoming less capable of critical thinking and are 'getting stupid'.

What is Sam Garens' view on the role of technology and algorithms in shaping people's lives?

Sam Garens views technology and algorithms as tools that are increasingly controlling and manipulating people's lives, creating a dependency that can be detrimental to individual thought and freedom.

What does Sam Garens recommend as a way to manage the impact of information on one's mental health?

Sam Garens recommends practicing exclusion of information, such as leaving the phone at home and engaging in activities that do not require constant connectivity.

What historical reference does Sam Garens make regarding how people managed their affairs in the past?

Sam Garens references that people 150 years ago did not have the same amount of information as today and yet were better able to think and conduct their affairs.

How does Sam Garens describe the current societal trends and their impact on individuals?

He describes current societal trends as a race to the bottom, with people becoming more dependent on misinformation and less capable of independent thought, leading to a collective 'DH' (presumably referring to a decline in mental health or intelligence).

What does Sam Garens suggest is the key to retaining strength during a time of perceived insanity?

Sam Garens suggests that focusing on eternal truths, such as those found in scriptures, and diverging from the temporal insanity only when necessary can provide the strength to navigate through challenging times.

What advice does Sam Garens offer for those who feel overwhelmed by the current state of society?

Sam Garens advises individuals to recognize the temporary nature of the current societal insanity, to focus on eternal truths, and to practice the ability to exclude unnecessary information from their lives.

What does Sam Garens believe is the role of confirmation and truth in maintaining one's sanity in an insane society?

Sam Garens believes that seeking confirmation and truth is a natural human instinct, but in an insane society, it can be challenging to find. He suggests that focusing on eternal truths and scriptures can provide the necessary confirmation and grounding.