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  • The Fun Criterion: A Simple Guide to Making Choices

    TLDR:

    The Fun Criterion, from David Deutsch, says: when choosing what to do, pick what feels fun. It’s a sign your whole mind—thoughts, feelings, and instincts—is working together well. Fun guides you when clear answers aren’t enough.

    The Fun Criterion: A Simple Guide to Making Choices

    Have you ever wondered how to decide what to do when you’re stuck? David Deutsch, a thinker and scientist, has an interesting idea called the “Fun Criterion.” It’s not just about having a good time—it’s about using fun as a clue to figure out what’s best for you. Here’s a simple breakdown of what it means and why it matters.

    What’s the Fun Criterion?

    Imagine you’re trying to decide something, like whether to go to the park or stay home and read. Your brain is full of different kinds of thoughts. Some you can explain easily, like “The park is close.” Others are harder to put into words, like a gut feeling that you’d rather stay cozy with a book. And some thoughts you don’t even notice, like a quiet worry about getting tired.

    Deutsch says all these thoughts—whether you can explain them or not—work together to help you decide. But sometimes they clash. You might think the park sounds nice, but you feel like staying home. How do you choose? That’s where the Fun Criterion comes in: pick the option that feels fun. Fun, he says, is a sign that your mind is working well and your ideas are getting along.

    Why Fun?

    Our brains are complicated. We don’t just think with clear ideas like “2 + 2 = 4.” We also use feelings, hunches, and stuff we don’t even realize we know—like how to catch a ball without thinking about it. When you’re faced with a choice, these hidden thoughts can make you feel good or bad about it, even if you don’t know why.

    For example, let’s say you’re picking between two hobbies: painting or running. You might think running is good exercise, but painting keeps pulling you in because it’s exciting. That excitement is your brain’s way of saying, “This works for me!” Deutsch believes that when you follow the fun, you’re letting all parts of your mind—conscious and unconscious—team up to solve the problem.

    Not Just Random Feelings

    This isn’t about chasing every silly whim, like eating candy all day because it feels good. Deutsch warns against that. Some people ignore their feelings and stick to strict rules (“I should run because it’s healthy”), while others only follow emotions without thinking (“Candy makes me happy, so I’ll do that”). Both ways can mess up because they ignore half of what’s going on in your head.

    The Fun Criterion is different. It’s about noticing when something feels fun and makes sense. It’s like a signal that your brain’s many parts—thoughts, feelings, and instincts—are agreeing. When they’re in sync, you feel energized and happy, not stressed or unsure.

    How Does It Work?

    Let’s try a real-life example. Imagine you’re deciding whether to take a new job. Your clear thoughts might say, “It pays more money.” But you feel nervous about it, and the idea of staying at your current job seems more enjoyable. The Fun Criterion says: pay attention to that enjoyment. Maybe your gut knows something your brain hasn’t figured out yet—like the new job might be too stressful. By picking what feels fun, you’re trusting your whole mind to guide you.

    Fun Means Growth

    Deutsch ties this to how we learn and grow. He says our minds are always making guesses and fixing mistakes, kind of like how scientists solve problems. When you choose the fun path, you’re more likely to keep exploring and creating, because it feels good. If something’s boring or painful, you might give up. Fun keeps you going.

    Keep It Simple

    So, next time you’re stuck on a choice—big or small—ask yourself: “What feels fun?” It’s not about being childish or lazy. It’s about listening to your whole self, not just the loudest voice in your head. Fun is like a compass that points you toward what works, even when you can’t explain why.

    That’s the Fun Criterion: a simple, smart way to decide what to do, straight from the mind of David Deutsch. Give it a try—see where fun takes you!

  • Refresh Your Twitter: How to Nuke Your Follows and Start Fresh in the New Year

    A social media refresh can be a great way to start the new year off on the right foot and create a more positive and productive online experience. If you’re looking to nuke your Twitter follows and start fresh, here are some steps you can take:

    1. Identify your goals: Before you start unfollowing people, it’s important to think about what you want to get out of your Twitter experience. Are there specific topics or conversations that you want to be more involved in? Are there certain people whose content you find particularly valuable or inspiring? Understanding your goals can help guide your decisions about who to follow and who to unfollow.
    2. Take a Twitter break: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your Twitter feed, it can be helpful to take a break for a day or two before you start unfollowing people. This can give you some time to clear your head and come back to the platform with a fresh perspective.
    3. Unfollow with purpose: Once you’re ready to start unfollowing people, be mindful about your decisions. Rather than just blindly unfollowing anyone who hasn’t tweeted in a while, consider why you’re following each person in the first place. If someone’s content is no longer relevant or valuable to you, it’s okay to unfollow them. But if you’re just feeling overwhelmed by the volume of tweets, you might want to consider using Twitter’s mute or snooze features instead.
    4. Find new accounts to follow: Once you’ve pruned your Twitter follows, take some time to find new accounts to follow. Look for accounts that align with your goals and interests, and consider following people who have diverse perspectives and backgrounds. This can help you broaden your horizons and expose you to new ideas and viewpoints.
    5. Keep track of your follows: As you move forward, be mindful of the accounts you follow and make sure they’re still aligning with your goals and values. Periodically review your follows and unfollow any accounts that are no longer adding value to your Twitter experience.

    A social media refresh can be a great way to start the new year off on the right foot and create a more positive and productive online experience. By following these steps, you can nuke your Twitter follows and start fresh with a more purposeful and curated feed.