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cover of episode Author of Four Thousand Weeks Oliver Burkeman on How To Live Well (Part One)

Author of Four Thousand Weeks Oliver Burkeman on How To Live Well (Part One)

2025/5/3
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Intelligence Squared

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Oliver Burkeman: 我在《4000周》之后写了续集《凡人冥想》,主要是因为我意识到,人们很容易知道应该如何生活,却很难付诸实践。很多人都有“总是落后于生活”的感觉,感觉自己还没掌握生活的诀窍,这促使我写了《凡人冥想》。记者的工作需要在有限的时间内完成任务,这是一种很好的训练,能让人学会接受不完美和生活有限性。 《凡人冥想》的核心观点是:承认人生的局限性,而不是试图解决这些问题,这才是摆脱困境的关键。我们永远无法完成所有想做的事情,因为待办事项清单实际上是无限的,接受这个事实才能让我们从焦虑中解脱出来。我们永远不会感到准备好迎接新的挑战,因为没有人会真正准备好,接受这个事实才能让我们开始行动。 我们被各种因素(进化论、晚期资本主义等)所影响,倾向于逃避那些让我们感到不舒服的真相。在面对令人沮丧的政治现实时,选择暂时抽离,专注于其他有意义的事情,并非不可取。有时候,与朋友们一起做一些轻松愉快的事情(例如玩D&D),比讨论令人沮丧的新闻更有意义。在日常生活中创造一些不受政治焦虑影响的空间,本身就是一种抵抗行为。人生就像划独木舟,充满不确定性和挑战,而我们却常常幻想自己掌控着巨型游艇,这是一种不切实际的幻想。即使我们真的掌控了生活,也可能会失去生活的乐趣和活力。 Tim Harford: 我们的待办事项清单永远不会完成,因为我们总能找到更多的事情去做,而我们也总是容易忽视这个事实。现代西方社会中,人们普遍处于一种否认状态,拼命追求生产力,这反映了社会结构的某些问题。人们拼命追求生产力既有社会因素的影响(工业革命、宗教等),也是人类自身固有的特性(无限的欲望与有限的时间)。我们应该如何处理大量的信息,既要关注重要的事情,又要避免被信息淹没?

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Acclaimed author and journalist Oliver Burkeman has captivated readers with his refreshing insights on how to embrace the finiteness of existence and find meaning in the everyday. Author of the bestselling book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and formerly a columnist for the Guardian, Burkeman challenges conventional productivity advice, offering a more realistic perspective on how to live well.

In April 2025 Burkeman came to the Intelligence Squared stage, where he was in conversation with Financial Times Columnist Tim Harford, to discuss Meditation for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts – the sequel to Four Thousand Weeks. Together, they explored how letting go of the relentless pursuit of productivity and accepting our imperfections can lead to a more fulfilling life.


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