Pain and suffering Quote by Tao Lin
““He used to think things like, This organic soymilk will make me healthy and that'll make my brain work better and that'll improve my writing . Also things like, The less I eat the less money I spend on publicly owned companies the less pain and suffering will exist in the world . Now he thinks things like, It is impossible to be happy . Why would anyone think that? ””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “Tao Lin on Writing and Life”, 2015
He reflects on shifting from naive optimism about products and diet to existential pessimism about happiness, questioning common beliefs about well‑being.
In simple terms: He moved from believing simple fixes bring happiness to doubting happiness is possible.
Key Takeaway
Question your assumptions about what brings joy.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
well‑being
Mood
contemplative
skeptical
Type
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- mental health
- diet choices
- financial habits
Key Concepts
existentialism
cognitive bias
consumerism
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs about health or happiness have you changed?
- How do you define happiness beyond material factors?
A Different Perspective
Happiness may be influenced by deeper factors than diet or spending.
