11 August 2025

I got two main things done:

• I scanned over the sheets, albeit after a delay.
• I watched the lecture on my next assignment.

I mostly avoided my phone at mealtimes. Instead, I skimmed a local paper and used my fidget toys. Unfortunately, I did a lot of cyberloafing between meals. I'm not working at the rate I need to get my assignment in on time. I know that rest and breaks are important, but so often, I choose to read material that winds up upsetting me.

So you don't think that it's helping you. Then why do you do it?

I think that I because I feel that it will make me wiser; that I should read about this sort of material.

So what could you do instead?

I can think of four main options:

• Doing some sort of physical activity. This can be walking outside, doing stretches or resistance training. This is a good choice and tends to be self-limiting in my experience.
• Reading a book. Fiction or non-fiction, it doesn't really matter. This is also sensible and mostly self-limiting. Probably not wise if I've been studying a textbook - I need a break from reading in that case.
• Meditation. I don't do this often, but it might still be effective in centring myself. It seems like something that would be self-limiting.
• Playing games. This is rarely wise. It tends to be self-limiting, but also exhausting to varying extents.

That's three viable choices. Why don't you use them instead of doomscrolling?

I don't really know.

Moral Superiority and Hypocrisy

From time to time, I find myself wanting to claim moral superiority over someone. Usually because of a political view. Of course, that tends to do nothing but inflate my ego and arouse my anger. I find myself hating such people. I grow cold when Trump supporters end up being hurt by his policies, for instance. I look for every excuse to argue to myself that those who disagree with my views have no right to voice them. It's ironic, isn't it?

What is moral superiority anyways, Sashna? I mean, people will argue over the trolley dilemma and whether it is right to foil a would-be murderer by lying to them. Is there any objective truth in moral claims, or are they simply demands that we make of ourselves and others?

I agree, Darth. In many cases, someone with different views to me could well see themselves as superior for it. Thinking oneself morally superior to anyone is a form of hypocrisy.

Indeed. You are human, so if you see evil in other humans, then you will find evil in yourself when you see yourself truthfully. I'd say own it, Dark One. Accept that you are flawed. Accept that you will at least sometimes fall short of your ideals. Know your 'dark' traits and know whether they serve or hurt.

Serve and hurt who?

That's ultimately for you to decide.