Thin desires are eating life
This thought-provoking article introduces 'thin' versus 'thick' desires, arguing that modern technology masterfully caters to the former, providing instant gratification without true personal transformation. It posits that this focus on easily monetized, non-transformative desires contributes to widespread societal dissatisfaction despite unprecedented connectivity. The piece resonated deeply with the HN community, sparking discussions on personal experiences, the historical roots of such cravings, and the very nature of digital communication.
The Lowdown
The article posits that a defining experience of our age is an unarticulated hunger, stemming from a near-universal pursuit of "thin desires." Drawing on philosophical concepts, the author distinguishes between two types of desires: those that transform you in their pursuit (thick desires) and those that don't (thin desires).
- Defining Desires: A thick desire, like learning calculus, fundamentally changes an individual, while a thin desire, such as checking notifications, leaves one unchanged after gratification.
- Tech's Role: The business model of most consumer technology is to strip thick desires down to their neurologically rewarding core, delivering these "thin" versions at scale. Examples include social media offering social connection without true friendship, or productivity apps simulating accomplishment without actual output.
- Societal Impact: This diet of "pure sensation" is linked to rising anxiety, depression, and loneliness, as tech excels at giving people what they want in a way that prevents them from wanting anything truly transformative.
- Dismantled Infrastructure: The article argues that societal infrastructure supporting thick desires (workshops, communities, apprenticeships) has eroded, replaced by omnipresent infrastructure for thin desires.
- Path to Fulfillment: The author suggests engaging in small, non-scalable activities that defy optimization, such as baking bread, writing handwritten letters, or coding a tool for a single person.
Ultimately, the piece suggests that pursuing a "thick life" is not about fixing the world, but about personal re-engagement with meaningful, effortful activities that provide genuine fulfillment, one small, unoptimizable act at a time.
The Gossip
Thick Transformations and Tangible Tasks
Many readers deeply resonated with the article, sharing personal anecdotes of shifting from "thin" digital consumption to "thick," transformative hobbies like sculpting, analog circuit design, or even sending physical postcards. They highlight the newfound meaning, patience, and connection derived from these effortful, often non-scalable, activities, validating the article's core premise with their own experiences of seeking more profound engagement.
Stylistic Squabbles and Content Critiques
A significant portion of the discussion debated the article's writing style, characterized by short, one-sentence paragraphs. Some found it "thin" or "LinkedIn-esque," questioning if the form undermined the message or was an attempt at "thin" engagement. Others defended it as accessible or even poetic, or noted that such formatting is common on the web for readability. There was also critique of the ideas not being novel or being overly simplistic.
Ancient Insights on Modern Anxieties
Commenters recognized parallels between the article's concept of "thin desires" and older philosophical and religious traditions. Buddhism's concept of "tanha" (craving) and "hungry ghosts," as well as Augustinian philosophy on the "restless heart," were frequently cited as historical precedents for the human struggle with insatiable, non-transformative desires, suggesting the problem is timeless, even if modern tech amplifies it.
Baking Brilliance: Optimizing the 'Thick' Life
The article's recommendation to "bake bread" as an example of a "thick" activity that defies optimization sparked a humorous counter-discussion. Several users shared their clever hacks for speeding up bread rising (e.g., using a warm oven), playfully challenging the premise that thick desires are inherently resistant to efficiency, or demonstrating the ingrained "optimization mindset" even in personal pursuits.