This is Optimal Living Daily Episode 1293. Beware of Philosophical FOMO by TKColman of TKColman.com

and I'm Justin Mollick, the guy who's been reading articles, book excerpts,

even student essays and stories to you every day including holidays for over three and a half years.

Always with permission from the authors or websites.

And today's post being from TKColman, a co-host of the podcast Office Hours. That's worth checking out.

For now, let's get right to it and start optimizing your life.

Beware of Philosophical FOMO by TKColman of TKColman.com

Are you really going to just stand there and take that? Have you ever found yourself in an

unproductive discussion that you really wanted to escape but you were afraid it would be closed

minded of you to leave? Have you ever forced yourself to explain your behavior or beliefs to someone

when you really felt like it was none of their business? Because you were afraid it would have been

intellectually dishonest to ignore them? If you answered yes to either of those questions,

then you may have been a victim of Philosophical FOMO. I define Philosophical FOMO as a condition in which

a person finds it difficult to terminate an unproductive discussion because of a fear of missing out

on the mere possibility that something good will come out of it if they hang in there for more time.

Beware this sinister enemy. It's the cause of much unnecessary misery in the world.

Deep down inside, many people have bought into the notion that they are being dishonest or

dogmatic if they don't entertain every single contrary opinion regardless of context.

Contrary to popular belief, critical thinking isn't about placing equal value on all

opportunities to engage in debate. Yes, some conversations truly are a waste of time.

And while it's possible that you'll sometimes make the mistake of giving up on a conversation too

soon, it's also possible that you'll make the mistake of staying in a conversation for too long.

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