hackertube.io

Music and Life - Alan Watts

seandulac · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Philosophy & ethicsProductivity & self-improvement

What it is

A two-minute animation of an Alan Watts talk arguing that life is like music: it is meant to be danced to in the moment, not rushed toward a final goal. It is a short, accessible take on living in the present.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters post it in threads about purpose, ambition, burnout and career anxiety as a reframing that life is a dance, not a march toward eventual happiness.

  • 11 people recommended it
  • 11 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2010, last 2022

What HN commenters said

  1. “eloquently describes exactly what you have figured out”

    Eloquently shows career and wealth don't bring happiness

    dstein, 2010-12 · Strong recommendation · in “Ask HN: Finally have loose change and spare time, but no sense of purpose. Help.”

  2. “which is great food for thought when pondering your goals in life”

    Food for thought on life goals

    noidi, 2010-12 · Recommendation · in “Winning Isn't Normal”

  3. “You haven't been failing, you've been dancing.”

    Reframes life as dancing, not failing; stop waiting for payoff

    blhack, 2011-12 · Recommendation · in “I'm turning 30 and I've produced no amazing art.”

  4. “he did it with much more panache and charm.”

    Watts articulated this theme with more panache and charm

    chubbard, 2012-05 · Recommendation · in “Are Stanford Students Just (Really Excellent) Sheep?”

  5. “I really liked this video by Alan Watts called "Life and Music”

    Encourages relaxing and being happy now

    dcolgan, 2013-02 · Recommendation · in “Dream, but don't forget to live”

  6. “check out this cool youtube animation made by the Southpark folks from his lecture”

    Animated Watts lecture: life is music to dance along to

    tripzilch, 2014-01 · Recommendation · in “How a Math Genius Hacked OkCupid to Find True Love”

  7. “In my opinion, this video[1] nicely shows what I'm talking about.”

    Nicely shows life is about happiness, not achievement

    daGrevis, 2014-02 · Recommendation · in “Life is a game, this is your strategy guide”

  8. “This is what Alan Watts has to say about it”

    Alan Watts on living in the present

    chris123, 2014-07 · Recommendation · in “Matt Cutts: Gadgets, Google, and SEO”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: alan watts, present moment, purpose, happiness, animation

Also recommended by the same people