How to use your free will

"Life is good, hooman."

Why be upset? 

This isn't snark or condescension. It's a question I'm struggling with. When I ask others, I get one of two responses:

1. "How can you not be upset? This is so upsetting!” 

But this is just circular reasoning. More importantly, this reaction denies us of the ability to grow and change with new information. 

By accepting “this is upsetting,” we are saying we are simply Pavlovian – see something, react automatically. But our brains give us the opportunity to process information, rather than just react.

Again: even though everything follows the laws of physics, our big brains still give us remarkable plasticity – the ability to learn, to incorporate new information, and to change how we respond. Not even ChatGPT responds the same to the same prompt. You can do better than ChatGPT, can't you?

In short, being upset just isn’t required.

If your free will can't be used to make you happier, what good is it?  😉

2. “How can you make a difference if you're not upset?”

If you think about this, it doesn't make sense. Adding to the quote on p. 229 here: 

“Taking in horror after horror doesn't make you a good person. Fury at current events doesn't make you a good person. Being upset doesn't make you a good person. 

“Making a difference makes you a good person.” 

Outrage is not virtue. Anger is not change. 

You don't have to be upset to work to reduce suffering. 

You just have to recognize and appreciate that suffering is bad. 

Being upset doesn't make things better. It makes things worse. 

I've noted this for decades in the context of animal advocacy, but it applies to everyone who wants a better world. From “A Meaningful Life”:

Society’s stereotype of animal advocates and vegans is a significant roadblock to widespread change. The word “vegan” rarely needs to be explained anymore; but unfortunately, some still use it as shorthand for one who is deprived, fanatical, and antisocial. This caricature guarantees that veganism won’t be considered – let alone adopted – on a wide scale.

Regrettably, the “angry vegan” image has some basis in reality. Not only have I known many obsessive, misanthropic vegans, I was one myself. My anger and self-righteousness gave many people a lifetime excuse to ignore the realities hidden behind their food choices.

As a reaction to what goes on in factory farms and slaughterhouses, very strong feelings, such as revulsion and outrage, are understandable and entirely justified. However, the question isn’t what is warranted, but rather, what actually helps animals. I have known hundreds of outraged activists who insisted, “Animal liberation by any means necessary! I’m willing to do anything!” Yet few of these people are still working toward animal liberation today.

If we truly want to have a fundamental, lasting impact on the world, we must deal with our emotions in a constructive way. We need to ask ourselves:

• Are we willing to direct our passion, rather than have it rule us?
• Are we willing to put the animals’ interests before our personal desires?
• Are we willing to focus seriously and systematically on effective advocacy?

It is not enough to be a vegan, or even a dedicated vegan advocate. We must remember the bottom line – reducing suffering – and actively be the opposite of the vegan stereotype. Just as we need everyone to look beyond the short-term satisfaction of following habits and traditions, we need to move past our sorrow and anger to optimal advocacy. We must learn “how to win friends and influence people,” so that we leave everyone we meet with the impression of a joyful individual leading a fulfilling and meaningful life.