Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Live With Your Significant Other Before Marriage

Jordan B Peterson Clips
26 Feb 202323:16

Summary

TLDRThe speaker argues against cohabitation before marriage, citing evidence that it may lead to higher divorce rates. They discuss the stability of anti-social behavior, the implications of early sexual activity, and the psychological impact of non-commitment. They emphasize the importance of commitment, community support, and the transformative power of marriage as a container for personal growth. The necessity of faith in the unknown future of a relationship and the transformative potential of enduring vows are also highlighted.

Takeaways

  • 📊 Cohabitation before marriage is associated with higher likelihood of divorce, contradicting the common belief that it is beneficial for couples to 'test drive' their relationship.
  • 🧐 The correlation between cohabitation and divorce might be due to the fact that people who are more likely to divorce are also more likely to live together before marriage, indicating a potential pre-existing pattern.
  • 🔍 The speaker suggests that the goal of learning about a partner and how to act in marriage is not effectively achieved through cohabitation, as it does not necessarily lead to a better or lasting marriage.
  • 💔 Having a larger number of sexual partners before marriage is also linked to a higher probability of divorce, which the speaker finds intriguing.
  • 👨‍⚕️ The speaker's research background in criminal behavior and anti-social tendencies includes the observation that early sexual behavior and multiple partners are markers for anti-social behavior.
  • 🤔 The speaker speculates that early sexual behavior and multiple partners might be linked to a pattern of exploiting others, which could be unsustainable in a marriage.
  • 💬 Men often use the argument that a 'piece of paper' is not necessary to indicate commitment, which the speaker criticizes as shallow and indicative of a lack of understanding of the significance of marriage vows and community support.
  • 🤝 Marriage requires a commitment in front of a community and a higher authority, which can provide stability during difficult times, something that is not simulated by cohabitation.
  • 👪 Cohabitation without marriage can lead to ambiguity about future plans, including having children, which can cause anxiety and uncertainty in a relationship.
  • 🔥 Marriage is described as a container for transformation, requiring heat and pressure to change individuals for the better, a process that cohabitation does not facilitate.
  • 🚫 Cohabitation is not a true simulation of marriage, and without the commitment of marriage, individuals may not experience the necessary desperation to change and grow in the relationship.
  • 🕊️ Commitment in marriage is an act of faith, stepping into the unknown future with the hope and belief that the relationship will endure and grow stronger despite the lack of evidence for its success.

Q & A

  • Why does the speaker advise against cohabitation before marriage?

    -The speaker advises against cohabitation before marriage because there is evidence suggesting it may lead to a higher likelihood of divorce, and it does not effectively simulate the commitment and challenges of marriage.

  • What is the speaker's view on the analogy of testing a relationship like a car test drive?

    -The speaker rejects this analogy, emphasizing that people are not objects like cars and that such a comparison oversimplifies the complexities of human relationships.

  • What evidence does the speaker provide regarding the correlation between cohabitation and divorce rates?

    -The speaker states that people who live together before marriage are statistically more likely to get divorced, which contradicts the common belief that cohabitation might reduce the risk of divorce.

  • How does the speaker connect cohabitation with anti-social behavior?

    -The speaker draws a parallel between early sexual behavior and multiple partners, which are markers for anti-social behavior, and the likelihood of divorce, suggesting that a pattern of exploiting others might be a factor.

  • What does the speaker believe is the significance of making a vow in a marriage ceremony?

    -The speaker believes that making a vow in a marriage ceremony is significant because it represents a public commitment to the relationship, in front of a community and a higher authority, which can provide support during difficult times.

  • Why does the speaker argue that living together before marriage might not help in learning how to be married effectively?

    -The speaker argues that living together does not simulate the heat and pressure of marriage, which is necessary for personal transformation and growth within the relationship.

  • What is the speaker's perspective on the idea that a marriage is just a 'piece of paper'?

    -The speaker criticizes this idea, stating that it reflects a shallow understanding of marriage and its significance as a vow and a public commitment.

  • According to the speaker, what message does cohabitation send about the couple's commitment to each other?

    -The speaker suggests that cohabitation implies a provisional arrangement and a lack of permanent commitment, which can lead to instability and uncertainty in the relationship.

  • How does the speaker describe the necessity of faith in a marriage?

    -The speaker describes faith in marriage as an act of stepping into the unknown, making a commitment without full evidence of its success, and believing in the potential for growth and transformation within the relationship.

  • What does the speaker believe is the alternative to commitment in a relationship?

    -The speaker believes that the alternative to commitment is aimlessness, hopelessness, and confusion, suggesting that commitment provides a sense of purpose and direction in life.

  • How does the speaker view the process of transformation within a marriage?

    -The speaker views the process of transformation within a marriage as requiring heat and pressure, which can only be achieved through the desperation of being bound together and the commitment to work through conflicts.

Outlines

00:00

🔎 Cohabitation Before Marriage: A Risky Proposition

The speaker argues against cohabitation before marriage, citing evidence that it correlates with a higher likelihood of divorce. They challenge the common-sense notion of 'testing the waters' by comparing a partner to a car, emphasizing that people are not objects. The speaker suggests that individuals inclined towards divorce may also be more likely to cohabitate, making it difficult to establish causality. They also touch on the idea that learning to be a better partner or spouse is not effectively achieved through cohabitation, and that having multiple sexual partners before marriage similarly increases the risk of divorce. The speaker then transitions into a discussion of anti-social behavior, noting its early onset and resistance to change, and draws a parallel between early sexual behavior and multiple partners as indicators of potential future relationship instability.

05:02

🤔 The Consequences of Cohabitation and the Nature of Commitment

This paragraph delves into the psychological and societal implications of cohabitation versus marriage. The speaker posits that cohabitation may communicate a lack of commitment and a willingness to 'trade up' if a better opportunity arises. They critique the notion that a marriage certificate is merely a piece of paper, arguing that public vows and community recognition are significant for the stability of a relationship. The speaker emphasizes the importance of enduring commitment during difficult times, suggesting that the absence of a formal commitment, as in cohabitation, can lead to a lack of resilience in the face of challenges. They also explore the idea that cohabitation can create ambiguity about future plans, such as having children, which can lead to anxiety and uncertainty within the relationship.

10:03

💔 The Illusion of Pre-Marital 'Practice' and the Importance of Faith

The speaker refutes the idea that cohabitation is a form of practice for marriage, stating that the two cannot be equated. They discuss Carl Jung's perspective on marriage as a transformative 'container' that requires heat and pressure to change individuals for the better. The commitment of marriage, according to the speaker, creates a sense of desperation that can lead to personal transformation. They argue that the inability to 'walk away' from a marriage is a catalyst for change and growth within the relationship. The speaker also introduces the concept of faith in marriage, suggesting that true commitment is an act of faith in the unknown future and the potential for growth that it holds.

15:04

🤝 The Transformative Power of Marriage and the Role of Commitment

In this paragraph, the speaker expands on the transformative potential of marriage, likening the commitment to a vow that treats one's partner as an extension of oneself. They share personal anecdotes about the importance of resolving conflicts within marriage rather than avoiding them, which can lead to a stagnant and unhappy relationship. The speaker asserts that the act of getting married is a necessary act of faith, requiring individuals to move into the unknown future together. They argue that this faith is essential for personal growth and the realization of a successful marriage, as it compels both partners to face challenges and change together.

20:05

🚫 The Folly of Non-Commitment and the Virtue of Faith in Relationships

The final paragraph addresses the consequences of not committing to marriage and the alternative of remaining uncommitted. The speaker argues that without commitment, individuals may feel aimless and hopeless, lacking direction and meaning in life. They advocate for the benefits of commitment, even in the absence of concrete evidence that it will succeed, suggesting that the act of committing itself is what can lead to success. The speaker distinguishes between blind faith and the type of faith that is necessary for a strong marriage, which is a conscious decision to invest in the relationship despite the uncertainties. They conclude by emphasizing the importance of this commitment for personal growth and the pursuit of a meaningful life.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Cohabitation

Cohabitation refers to the act of two people living together in a romantic relationship without being married. In the video, the speaker advises against cohabitation before marriage, citing evidence that it may lead to a higher likelihood of divorce. The concept is central to the video's theme, as it sets the stage for discussing the implications of pre-marital living arrangements on the stability of future marriages.

💡Divorce

Divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage. The script discusses the correlation between cohabitation and a higher rate of divorce, challenging the common assumption that living together before marriage can help couples better understand each other and prepare for a lifelong commitment. The speaker uses this term to highlight the potential negative outcomes of cohabitation.

💡Anti-social Behavior

Anti-social behavior is a pattern of conduct that violates social norms and is characteristic of criminals. The speaker draws a parallel between early sexual behavior and multiple partners, which are markers for anti-social behavior, and the likelihood of divorce. This concept is used to suggest that certain behaviors may indicate a predisposition towards instability in relationships.

💡Psychopathy

Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by persistent anti-social behavior, impaired empathy and remorse, and bold, disinhibited, and egotistical traits. The speaker describes the psychopath as a 'predatory parasite,' using this term to illustrate the idea that certain personality traits may be linked to a pattern of exploiting others, which could undermine the sustainability of a marriage.

💡Commitment

Commitment in the context of the video refers to the decision and dedication to remain faithful and supportive to one's partner, particularly within the institution of marriage. The speaker argues that cohabitation fails to simulate the true commitment required in marriage, which involves a public vow and a community's recognition of that vow.

💡Vow

A vow is a solemn promise or declaration, often made as part of a marriage ceremony. The script emphasizes the importance of vows in marriage as a public declaration of intent to stay together through difficult times. The speaker uses the term to explain why simply living together cannot replicate the depth of commitment made in a marriage vow.

💡Transformation

Transformation in the video is used metaphorically to describe the personal growth and change that can occur within the confines of a marriage. The speaker references Carl Jung's view of marriage as a container that can create the intense heat necessary for personal transformation, suggesting that the commitment of marriage can catalyze self-improvement.

💡Faith

Faith, as discussed in the video, is the belief or trust in something, especially in the absence of evidence. The speaker argues that faith is essential for marriage, as it allows individuals to step into the unknown future with their partner, committing to a lifelong journey together without certainty of the outcome.

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people sharing a common culture or sense of belonging. In the context of the video, the speaker mentions the importance of community in marriage, suggesting that the public aspect of a marriage vow, made in front of one's community, adds a layer of accountability and support to the relationship.

💡Stability

Stability in the video is used to describe the enduring and secure nature of a relationship, particularly in marriage. The speaker contrasts the provisional nature of cohabitation with the stability that marriage can provide, arguing that the latter is more conducive to building a strong, lasting relationship.

💡Explotation

Exploitation is the act of using someone for one's own advantage, often unfairly or unethically. The script connects the concept of exploitation with certain behaviors that may be indicative of a pattern of using others, such as early sexual behavior and multiple partners, suggesting that such behaviors could lead to unsustainable relationships.

Highlights

Evidence suggests cohabitation before marriage is associated with a higher likelihood of divorce.

The common-sense approach to cohabitation as a 'test drive' is challenged by statistical outcomes.

Individuals with a history of cohabitation or multiple sexual partners may be predisposed to divorce.

The stability of anti-social behavior from early childhood and its link to early sexual activity is discussed.

Early sexual behavior and multiple partners are markers for anti-social behavior and potential criminal tendencies.

The concept of a psychopath as a predatory parasite is introduced, linking early promiscuity to exploitative tendencies.

Cohabitation without marriage may communicate a lack of full commitment and openness to 'trading up'.

The emotional impact of cohabitation on women and the societal risks associated with casual sexual activity are highlighted.

Marriage as a vow and community commitment is emphasized as crucial for enduring relationship challenges.

The metaphor of marriage as an alchemical container for transformation under heat and pressure is presented.

The necessity of enduring the transformative process within marriage, rather than avoiding conflict, is discussed.

The act of faith required in marriage and its distinction from blind faith or naivety is explored.

Commitment in marriage is posited as a means to draw out the best in both partners through mutual dedication.

The alternative to commitment is described as aimlessness, hopelessness, and a lack of meaning in life.

The importance of making a real commitment, rather than a simulated one through cohabitation, is underscored.

The applause indicates audience approval and resonance with the speaker's perspective on marriage and commitment.

The transcript concludes with a reflection on the delusional and potentially harmful nature of avoiding commitment in relationships.

Transcripts

play00:00

can you please elaborate on why you

play00:03

advise against cohabitation before

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marriage

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well

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so why would I advise against

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cohabitation before marriage well the

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simple answer to that question is

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there's plenty of evidence that it's a

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bad idea

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and and I just mean factual evidence to

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begin with although I think there are

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other reasons

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um

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people who live together and then get

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married are more likely to

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get divorced not less likely and that's

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a really interesting fact because it

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flies in the face of

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what you might think of as a kind of

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pragmatic common sense you know because

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you might think

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well you don't buy a car without

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taking it out for a test drive

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[Laughter]

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right and everyone laughs because that

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seems obvious but then you know

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woman's not a car

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[Laughter]

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and and neither is a man and really like

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seriously

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really not an object

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and so it isn't obvious at all that that

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metaphor applies even though it's

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at first shallow glance it's

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it seems obviously true well but if it's

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obviously true then you might say well

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why do people who live together why are

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people who live together before they get

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married more likely to get divorced and

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one possible answer to that is well

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people who are more likely to get

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divorced are the same people who are

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more likely to live together rather than

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to get married and that's possible it's

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very difficult to separate those two

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things so but in some sense it doesn't

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matter

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what the facts reveal is that if the

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goal is to

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learn what you need to learn so that you

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can decide who you should marry more

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effectively or learn how to act if you

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do get married more effectively and the

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goal is that your marriage will be

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better and last then it doesn't work

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and so and that's a strange truth

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and then you might ask yourself well why

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why doesn't it work it's also the case

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by the way that

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the more sexual partners the larger the

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number of sexual partners that someone

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has had before they get married the more

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likely they are to get divorced as well

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and that's also it's also the okay the

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case by the way and this is also

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interesting

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so I spent a lot of time studying

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criminal behavior in all sorts of

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different manifestations some of it on

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the political front with regard to the

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behavior of people who committed

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terrible atrocities in the service of

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political belief

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some of it

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on the

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like the frontier of of criminal sadism

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itself I spent a lot of time

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studying the behavior of of serial

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killers and and mass tortures and people

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like that

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but I also spend a lot of time

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as a research scientist looking at

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what psychiatrists and psychologists

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know as anti-social behavior and

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anti-social behavior is the pattern of

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behavior that characterizes criminals

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and

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it's it usually makes itself manifest

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pretty early in life

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perhaps as early as two years old by the

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way

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and it's once it's established it's

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extremely stable it's

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it's

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it isn't

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obvious at all that psychologists or

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psychiatrists

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have

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learned anything about how to remediate

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anti-social Behavior so criminal

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Behavior or its precursors in childhood

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once it's there that especially seems to

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be the case after about four years of

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age once it's there

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it's

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unbelievably stable and resilient to and

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resistant to change

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and it has a lot of

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different aspects anti-social Behavior

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but one of the markers for anti-social

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Behavior

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delinquency childhood conduct disorder

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early onset criminality is

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early sexual behavior and and multiple

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partners

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and so

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you know you can take that for what it's

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worth

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why is that the case

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you could speculate

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someone who's

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oriented in a criminal direction is more

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likely to take advantage of someone else

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for their own gratification I think

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that's the basic commonality I don't

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know that for sure

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because we don't know why these

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different symptoms of criminality let's

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say

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linked together apart from the fact that

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criminals are predators and the Really

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pathological criminals are predatory

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parasites and that's really what defines

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the psychopath by the way is a predatory

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a psychopath is a predatory parasite

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um

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the archetypal psychopath is a sadistic

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predatory parasite so the sadist takes

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Delight in the pain of others so

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positive pleasure in the pain of others

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the predator

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uses others to their own advantage and

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the parasite

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takes no responsibility for his or her

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own

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existence and

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manipulates or compels others to serve

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that goal and so that's kind of an ugly

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combination of traits and one of the

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core elements of that is

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early multiple partner promiscuity

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and so

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that's

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that's interesting and that also might

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explain why

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more pre-marriage sexual partners

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increases the probability of divorce is

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that it's a marker for

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the pattern of behavior that

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is characterized by the exploitation of

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others and is therefore

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more likely to be unsustainable over the

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medium to long run

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so that's interesting then you can think

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about it

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kind of think about it metaphysically

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I thought about this or philosophically

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I thought about what is it what are you

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telling someone

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when you live with them

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okay so I've talked to lots of people

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women

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who are cohabiting with men

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are generally not very happy about the

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fact that the relationship is not moving

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towards marriage now I think the reason

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there's a bunch of reasons for that

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women seem to suffer more

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emotionally as a consequence of sexual

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activity outside of a committed

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relationship you can imagine why that is

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women experience more negative emotion

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than men on average in general but also

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women pay a much higher sex is much

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riskier for women than it is for men

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obviously

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hopefully I don't have to explain why

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that is

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so

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and so women are often not for women who

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are cohabiting are often less than happy

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about that and the men who I've talked

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to about

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that

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with about their partners

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displeasure with the current

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unstable nature of the relationship

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often say something like well we don't

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need a piece of paper to

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indicate our commitment to each other

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which sounds all

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revolutionary and Shea Guevara but which

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is

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really a pretty pathetic bit of

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reasoning first of all

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for someone to say that means they think

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that what they just said convinces you

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that all marriage is is a piece of paper

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and that's

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that's a preposterously foolish argument

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I mean at minimum

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in the typical marriage ceremony

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you make a vow by whatever is Holy to

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you or at least in front of the state

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itself

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and then in front of your community as

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you define it that you're going to make

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a commitment to someone and if you think

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that's nothing

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then you're probably the sort of person

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that the person you asked

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to marry you should run away from

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so

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so that's pretty shallow

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and then you might ask well why do you

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need to commit to your partner

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in front of your community and a higher

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authority let's say and the answer is

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well life is really really difficult and

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you're going to have rough time with

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your partner no matter how much you love

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them because the two of you are

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different and you're different sexually

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and you're different temperamentally and

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so you're not going to see eye to eye

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all the time and then horribly difficult

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things are going to come your way and

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they're going to

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the complexity of those difficult things

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is going to tempt you to pull apart

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and exactly when pulling apart might be

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the worst possible thing for you and

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maybe you need that vowel before your

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community and God himself let's say or

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at least the state

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and The Vow that you've made to yourself

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and your partner and The Vow that you've

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made publicly to all your friends to

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keep you together when the going gets

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rough

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and you might say well you don't need

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that

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and I would say well that's just because

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the going hasn't got rough enough for

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you yet because when it does get that

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rough you'll bloody well know that you

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needed that that's for sure and that

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will definitely happen to you

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thank you

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that will definitely happen to you if

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you marry someone because all the things

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that life can throw at you

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will be thrown at you in the course of a

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marriage

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and so

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the vowel

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and the community commitment you don't

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just throw that away casually and you

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certainly don't say well that's just a

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piece of paper you know what do I need a

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piece of paper to validate my love it's

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like your love's Not Great is it you're

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really that much of a saint that this

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person they can just you say you love

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them and oh man they're just done

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they're in Bliss they're in Paradise for

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the rest of their life they can just

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rely you're never going to waver now

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that you expressed your love you're just

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going to be there 100 of the time you

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don't need anyone else to help you you

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don't need a vow you don't need any

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tradition so your love is so pure and

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holy that that other person they just

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rely on you from that second onward no

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hesitation it's like yeah right

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that's just complete bloody rubbish you

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can't even rely on yourself in

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relationship to yourself

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for that so

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[Applause]

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okay so next

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what are you telling your partner well

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as far as I can tell if you live with

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someone here's what you're saying to

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each other

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you're the best I can manage at the

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moment

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and maybe the same applies to me for you

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and uh we both really don't want to take

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on any more responsibility than

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necessary Plus

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we both want to have the option of

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trading up if it opportunity comes along

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and so why don't we just

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make do with this provisional

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arrangement

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well we cast our eye out into the

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broader world and see if we can fish

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something better in

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and

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you know you can say I'm cynical about

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that but I don't think I'm cynical about

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that I

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because living together means something

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like well we're not permanently

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committed and not permanently committed

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means well we're impermanently committed

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and impermanently committed means

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we're looking for a better commitment or

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or perhaps to be alone but forget that

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because that's usually not true well

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what kind of basis is that to have a

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relationship with someone how are you

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going to found a relationship on that

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especially an intimate relationship

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how is that going to work it's like

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you'll do for now

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I I don't think that's a very solid

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foundation to

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to move forward

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to to allow you to move forward and then

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it's indeterminate too is well if you're

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just living together do you have kids

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because that's a commitment that's for

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sure and that's a real commitment or it

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better be and it's going to be

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inevitably anyways and so if there's

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ambiguity about your commitment to each

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other there's going to be ambiguity

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about

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your plans for children and that's a

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huge ambiguity in most relationships so

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that's not helpful that just means

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neither of you know what the hell you're

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doing and that provokes anxiety and

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uncertainty and it and it it decreases

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hope because hope is experienced in

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relationship to a goal and if the goal

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is ambiguous maybe we'll have kids and

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maybe we'll not well then there's no

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real hope there and so that seems to be

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a pretty decent Pathway to misery

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so

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and then the next issue is

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and this is the final one that I'll

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discuss is

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you're not married if you're living

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together

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and so you might say well you're

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practicing being married it's like no

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you're not why because

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it's not something you can simulate

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so one of the things I learned from

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Reading Carl Jung Jung thought about

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marriage as a container as an outcome as

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a container for alchemical

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transformation as a container

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that would produce a heat so intense

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that the base metal of your psychic

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could be transformed into something

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ideal but it had to be a container that

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could take could take heat because it

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requires heat to transform

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and you might say well how much heat

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does someone as base as you need to

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transform and the answer might be a lot

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of heat I need a lot of heat and

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pressure before I'm going to change

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before I'm going to become purified in

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any real sense

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and so what's the heat and pressure

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here's what it is you don't get to run

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away

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you're stuck with that person

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and they're stuck with you and you made

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a vow it's like oh

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I'm stuck with you

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just like I'm stuck with me and and and

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and The Vow is exactly that right in

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some real sense The Vow is I'm going to

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treat you like you're me

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and you don't even like yourself very

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much so

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that's a vicious vow and so you might

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say well how desperate do you have to be

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when confronted by someone else to

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change your ways and the answer might be

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well you have to be as desperate as

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being Shackled to someone makes you you

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know one of the reasons that Tammy and I

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have gone along and are still together

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is because

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we both know that

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we're stuck with each other

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and so

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and so we decided quite a long time ago

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that we didn't want to have the same

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stupid fight every day for the next 40

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years

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and so and that's like the definition of

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a bad marriage it's like we're having

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the same fight every day for 40 years

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that's hell and so the alternative is

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now let's just have a bloody fight Right

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Here and Now

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and see if we can sort out whatever the

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hell is so stupid about us that's

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keeping us in this dismal hell and why

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well because otherwise

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we're just stuck with this misery and if

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you can walk away and if you can leave

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which you can if you're not bound

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together then you're not gonna

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withstand the horrible process of heat

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and pressure that's required to make you

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transform

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you'll just walk around that you'll just

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look for an excuse I mean people look

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for an excuse not to do that anyways and

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so

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part of the reason you get married is so

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you're desperate enough to change

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and and maybe that doesn't even work

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[Applause]

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so those are the reasons you

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those are the reasons that

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no there's there's one more there's one

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more

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this is the next thing

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it's it's a necessary Act of Faith

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and you know in our culture

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because we're not very wise

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we think that faith means especially

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when it's

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parodied as religious faith we think

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faith means the willingness to suspend

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disbelief while swallowing a proposition

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that any fool would reject that's often

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how the rationalist atheists view

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religious claims

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faith means the suspension of your

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rationality and the acceptance of an

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an absurd claim

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but that isn't what faith means not

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really

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faith is what makes

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movement into the unknown possible and

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you need to move into the unknown

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because that's where you're moving

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and because the unknown is unknown

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because the future is unknown you cannot

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step forward into the unknown without

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faith

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it wouldn't be unknown if you knew it

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if you knew it it wouldn't require Faith

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but you don't know it and so

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you step forward into the unknown future

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as a consequence of your faith in some

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principles and if you love someone if

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you fall in love with someone and you

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decide to marry them

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you don't have the evidence at hand that

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that's the right person for you

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what you have instead is the joint

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decision that come hell or high water

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you're going to struggle forward

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together

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and then you don't even know if that's

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the right decision

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because you're not going to know until

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you're

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till you've been married like your whole

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life you're not going to have the data

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and so you do have to throw yourself

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into the abyss

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to be married

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just like you have to throw yourself

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into the abyss to be alive

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you have to move forward in faith and

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then you might say well how do you call

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the best out of yourself and out of your

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partner that maybe a partner that you're

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fortunate enough to love and the answer

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might be by

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offering them the gift of faith and by

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saying look you know flawed as we both

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are

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if we commit to each other

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we have the possibility of becoming more

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than we are

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and I'd like to do that with you even

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though there's no evidence that it's

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going to work

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and but then you might think too the

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more deeply you're committed to that

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faith the more likely it is to work and

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you can't find out what that commitment

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is without the commitment and so you

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can't simulate it by living together

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because it's not real

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it's not real until you make the

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commitment

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and so

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and then I would also say well what if

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you don't make the commitment

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well then you're not committed

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and and you might say well why should I

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be committed well what's the alternative

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it's to be uncommitted well

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are you free then

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or are you just aimless and hopeless and

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Confused

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and

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you admire people who are committed to

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something you sort of wish yourself when

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when you're feeling aimless and you feel

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that your life is meaningless you might

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think well I really wish I was committed

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to something wouldn't it be nice to be

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committed to something it's like well

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commit to something then

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and you say well I don't have the

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evidence it's like you don't commit

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because of the evidence you commit

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because of faith and there's foolish

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Faith you know there's naive faith and

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there's Blind Faith and I'm not talking

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about any of that I'm talking about

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stake in your life on something that

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might work if you just

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if if God was willing if the Fate smiled

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on you and you put your whole soul into

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it

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and

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that's what you do

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when you vow to

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stay faithful to someone and you can't

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simulate that it says it doesn't work so

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there's like five reasons why it doesn't

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work and me I don't know if you find

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those reasons compelling or not but I've

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thought about them a lot and I

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you know maybe there's a part of me that

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wishes that isn't how life was and that

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you could just

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have a casual relationship with someone

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and then trade them in on someone better

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if they happen to come along but

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I just don't believe that's

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that's delusional to believe that at

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best and it's like

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machiavelle and Machiavellian

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Psychopathic and narcissistic and

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criminal at worse

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and so

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[Applause]

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Related Tags
CohabitationMarriageDivorcePsychologyRelationshipsCriminal BehaviorAnti-Social TraitsEmotional StabilityCommitmentFaith in Love