Life's Trade-Offs
Ideals vs Reality and so much more
Mike Hassell was born into a family of engineers. He followed the expected path, earning his degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech. However, he soon realized that his education was narrowly focused on his profession, leaving little room for his broader interests in philosophy, humanities, and the arts.
This realization led Mike to pivot his career towards publishing, focusing on the great ideas of history, including economics, philosophy, science, religion, and political thought. At around 40 years old, while working on a series about the moral problems of our age, Mike experienced a profound "aha" moment. He recognized that many of these issues—war on terrorism, drugs and alcohol, love and sexuality, abortion, and euthanasia—were not problems with clear-cut solutions.
Instead, they were conflicts involving multiple truths that couldn't be realized simultaneously.
This epiphany became the foundation for his book, "Deep Trade-Offs," which explores the inherent conflicts and choices we make without even realizing it. For instance, Mike discusses the trade-off between focus and sensitivity, using his own experience with his son's attention disorder to illustrate how different people navigate these conflicting aspects of attention.
In this episode we touch upon various thought-provoking topics, including the balance between ideals and reality, the role of intuition in seeking truth, and the importance of personal relationships in resolving conflicts. Mike's insights remind us that life is full of complex, often conflicting choices, and understanding these deep trade-offs can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
Mike's journey and his thoughtful reflections on life's moral and philosophical dilemmas offer valuable lessons for us all. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the trade-offs that shape our lives and how we can navigate them more consciously.