Paul Gilbert

So while we can be compassionate, kind and selfless in some (cooperative and supportive) contexts, in others (competitive and threat-focused), we can be ruthless, cruel and very self-absorbed

Depression: The evolution of powerlessness

oppression is linked to mental illness

John Price, who was the first to link mood disorders to feelings of inferiority and defeat as evolved safety strategies

the search for status and for connectedness/attachment figures are both powerful archetypal processes in each of us and that mental health problems can emerge from the thwarting or distortion of one or both of these.

there are different types of positive emotion. One is linked to drive and excitement and another is connected to feelings of reassurance, security, safeness and calm peacefulness

Indeed, some people will try to create achievements and excitement in their lives precisely because, without that, life seems empty or they find it difficult to feel safe or content.

According to Madeline Bunting, we’ve become ‘willing slaves’ to accountants and the need to compete

one of the reasons why television is so popular is because, although it’s rather brain numbing, the very passivity of it is just what appeals when you feel so tired

I was thinking of writing a book called Why Efficiency is Bad for You! Think of all the things in life that, if we focus only on efficiency, wouldn’t be much fun. The drive for efficiency is actually making our lives uninhabitable.