100. Solve Problems You Care About

I have always felt a constant presure to be remarkable. I never realized that it was harmful until David Deutsch posted something related on X.com. He referred to it as a "nasty pressure on young people to conform by being 'remarkable'". The heart of this phrase is the idea that society exerts pressure on people to measure up to a particular standard of “remarkability,” and that yielding to such pressure is not a free, reason-driven choice but rather a forced conformity.

It seems like being 'remarkable' secures rewards in life like money, status, romantic partners, etc. What if this is a shallow understanding of what actually fosters long-term success or satisfaction? Money and opportunities gained by posturing—rather than by solving problems you truly care about—often prove short-lived and hollow.  Similarly, romantic partners or friendships attracted to “remarkable” facades may not sustain genuine bonds. The more robust strategy is to base your efforts on sincere curiosity and creativity. By grounding your pursuits in personal passion rather than in chasing “remarkability,” you free yourself from a treadmill of external validation and build value that’s far more likely to endure.

“Remarkable” is a social label, not a universal truth. I hope we recognize that. Instead of straining to meet arbitrary standards, focus on problems you genuinely want to solve and ideas that intrigue you. By pursuing those interests for their own sake—rather than for outward validation—you replace external demands with genuine curiosity, freeing yourself from the tyranny of trying to appear “remarkable.”

Note, focusing on personal passions doesn’t mean neglecting necessary foundations of well-being or personal development. Treat healthy eating, exercise, and the like as enablers rather than meaningless chores: they’re the scaffolding that keeps you energized, resilient, and able to fully engage in the activities you do love. If you regard non-passion tasks only as obligations to be minimized, you risk undermining your broader goals. Instead, recognize them as rational investments in a sustainable life that allows you to pursue your genuine interests more effectively and enjoyably.

At the end of it, you have but one life here. The question is what will make it worthwhile and meaningful to you now.