🔼: [[⭐️ Emotions]] # Comparison and Competition[^1] An emotion comprised of wanting to simultaneously fit in and at the same time be better. Rather than comparing ourselves to the big picture, we often compare ourselves to whatever we’re seeing. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” [[The grass really is greener on the other side]] >“When we engage in upward social comparison, we compare ourselves to someone who is (perceived to be or performing) better than we are. When we engage in downward social comparison, we compare ourselves to someone who is (perceived to be or performing) worse than we are... …The direction of comparison doesn’t guarantee the direction of the outcome. both types of social comparison can result in negative and positive effects.” — Alicia Nortjeo We naturally think there’s a great distance between “I’m better than everyone” and “I’m worthless,” but there’s no difference. In both cases we’re not looking at people or ourselves. Comparison is dangerous because it threatens our self-worth and it isn’t a choice — we’ll always do it. But we can become aware of it, name it, and choose what to do with it. We can also compete with each other for sympathy — “If you think that’s bad…”[^2] We have to stop competing with one another the way we have been if we have any intention to protect or restore the earth. If so many of us are competing with one another, we're liable to get and spread misinformation and that makes it incredibly difficult to make informed decisions about what to do next. ###### See Also - [[Anchoring Bias]] [^1]: [[📖 ✅ Atlas of the Heart (Show)]] Episode 3 [^2]: [[📖 ✅ Atlas of the Heart (Show)]] Episode 5