Why the comfort and convenience of the modern world is the cause of a huge number of human misfortunes and problems. How does conscious decision to refuse comfort help to solve those problems?

We often try to avoid discomfort. Civilization, technological progress and consumerism make our lives more convenient, enjoyable and comfortable. For every tiny unpleasant sensation, the modern world offers a thousand ways to avoid it as if to give us psychological well-being and free up our brain for more important and valuable tasks. What is it really like?

Compared to the life of not only primitive or mediaeval people, but even our grandparents, we live in incredible comfort, but the proportion of depression, anxiety and anhedonia is only growing. It’s a paradox, yet the potential to pull us out of melancholy and despondency is not an additional increase in comfort and well-being, but exactly the opposite. That is discomfort. It works as a powerful stimulus for growth and development, helping us become stronger in every sense and achieve what we could not even dream of before.

WHEN: Thursday 25 July, 19:00 – 21:00
WHERE: Earth Science Lecture Hall, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EQ (please enter throught the archway via the southernmost entrance)
LANGUAGE: Russian.
TICKETS: £10 CamRuSS members, £15 others, plus £1 platform fee. Book via allevents

At this lecture you will learn how to use discomfort for your own good and even love it.
Followed by Q&As. NB: correction! no drinks reception.

Irina Yakutenko is a molecular biologist, science journalist, author of the books “Will and Self-Control. How genes and the brain prevent us from fighting temptations” and “The Virus that Broke the Planet”, author of the popular telegram channel “Weak-willed Masons”, also YouTube channel about a scientific view of everyday things.