Short-termism and Long-termism

There are two competing ideas about what matters that need to be analyzed. The first is that what matters is this moment, not the future or the past, because they don’t really exist. The second is that what matters necessarily means extending beyond this moment. I think that there is truth in both of them, but the first is problematic and the second should be accepted as an attitude.

Meditation traditions tend to emphasize the importance of the present moment. In meditation, the practitioner is often instructed to pay close attention to their sensory experience. To be present, in this view, is to be aware of every thought, feeling, and sensation that arises and passes. Depending on the tradition, you are to acknowledge each event for what it is, a mere happening, and let it pass. You aren’t to cling onto it, or let it consume your attention, because that would be detaching yourself from the here and now. The realization that you are attempting to come to in meditation, is that even when you’re not meditating, the essence of life is just a series of moments. This. Then this. Then this.

More humorously, the youthful idea of “you only live once” emphasizes a similar concept. In this view, because “life is short” and uncertain, it is of the utmost importance to essentially do what you want right now, as to not waste time, or risk the devastating possibility of living a meaningless, let alone boring, life. Instead of working a job that isn’t ideal so that you can eventually do what you really want, you shouldn’t wait. You should do what you want right now, pushing past your fears and doubts about the likelihood of your success. In contemporary versions, this may look like optimistically “traveling the world” with little money and a sense of adventure, or simply asking that person you like out on a date today, rather than fantasizing about it. This stance sees restraint, conscientiousness, and delayed gratification as loathsome qualities stoked by fear. 

The worst, most naive thing to do, in the eyes of these belief holders, is work a job you don’t truly enjoy so that you may enjoy the fruits of your labors during a future date. In principle, to die at an early age, full of having done what you wanted and having “gotten the most out of life,” is far better than to live to an old age. The principle is admirable in that it seeks to have people act courageously, doing things in the face of uncertain outcomes and fear. The principle is sinister for many reasons. For one, it fails to examine and distinguish between long-term, goal-directed behavior and complacency, when there is an important difference. Some desires take time to fully realize. To be able to play a song on an instrument well, considerable practice is required. Practice in it of itself may be perceived as dull, repetitive and antithetical to making the most out of life. But, as most musicians can attest, regret towards having spent one’s time unwisely is an unlikely feeling to arise when reflecting after achieving said goal.

Truth is often uninteresting and uncontroversial. There is truth in the idea that this moment is what really matters. And there is also truth in the idea that future moments matter too, and moments that come long after you also matter. Why? Because, while no two moments are alike, each has value. Each is fundamental to the chain of causal events constructing life and our experiences.