Stress & Hierarchy

[Narz]

Very interesting video about how stress & being in a subservient position is bad for one's health.


Link to video.

Also, in the 2nd half, an inspiring story about how culture can change, even amongst primates.

Probably the top documentary I've seen in '15.

 

[Birdjaguar]

That was a great show. It certainly puts Type As and hierarchies in their place.

 

[Narz]

Glad you appreciated it. Definitely something that most people don't realize affects their health as much as it does!

 

[Birdjaguar]

The most interesting part was what happened to the baboon troop when the top of the social pyramid was killed off by TB.

 

[Narz]

The most interesting part was what happened to the baboon troop when the top of the social pyramid was killed off by TB.

Yeah, I'd read of that story before but it was cool to hear it explained by the man who'd studied it all those years.

 

[warpus]

I didn't watch the video, but stress has an immense influence on our lives. And most people I know live stressful lives.. in fact, our entire civilization seems to be built up around stress and stressful activities.

 

[azzaman333]

Is there a tl;dw version?

 

[Birdjaguar]

Is there a tl;dw version?

Not really. the show goes through three sets of linked research built around baboon troops, the British Government bureaucratic hierarchy and mothers of special needs children. In each case they look deeper and deeper into the physical body systems that create and respond to stress. The best short take away would be that it is better to be near the top of any hierarchy, to avoid working or living in a hierarchy, and if you can't, spend time doing what you love outside of work.

 

[Akka]

I didn't watch the video, but stress has an immense influence on our lives. And most people I know live stressful lives.. in fact, our entire civilization seems to be built up around stress and stressful activities.

The entire capitalist system is built around competition. Of course it's going to be stressful.
It's a neverending fight against others, where you're under the permanent menace of being considered "too costly" or "not efficient enough" and cast aside for someone who will undercut you.

 

[warpus]

I work 37.5 hours a week, don't do overtime, get 5 and a half weeks of vacation each year, plus unlimited sick days, plus the ability to flex time.

And I still get stressed.. I've had job offers that tried to pry me away from this arrangement.. I'm sorry guys, but a $20,000 raise isn't going to be good enough for me, if that means less vacation time and less perks and flexibility. $20k a year isn't worth the extra stress.

People who only look at the money as the end all of everything are crazy.