The Comfort Crisis
by Michael Easter · first published 2021
87% recommend13% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Accessible, pop-science case that modern convenience dulls us and that chosen discomfort (rucking, fasting, boredom, hardship) improves health and mood. Suits general readers, even those who rarely read books.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…notch, I put on a weighted backpack (i.e. ruck). I'm typically carrying 30 lbs, sometimes 50. This raises the heart rate and roughly doubles the caloric burn. Low injury risk, too. Michael Easter's book "Comfort Crisis" has a nice chapter on rucking. I just wish it was easier to contact nature on my walks. I live in a big urban centre, so it's not always easy. But at least urban centers can facilitate social walking…
on “The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]” ↗Another book to suggest, "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter. In it he does a solid and helpful flyover on how humans evolved vs how we actually live now, and how the disconnect is impacting (negatively) our physical and mental health. While…
on “Chronic stress can inflame the gut – now scientists know why” ↗…agree. There are also too many unknown environmental factors. Nonetheless, too many calories ingested, and not enough calories burned is only going to go in one direction. btw, I recently read "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter. I wouldn't say there was a whole not a new info (for me) in it. But he does a very good job of bring a wide range of info together and presents it in a way that's easy to consume (but…
on “Weight loss surgeries rise substantially among adolescents: research” ↗…and can't resist the cha-ching that follows the pressing of our collective buttons. I wonder if the NYT realizes the irony of it publishing articles such as this? As a side note, I recently read "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter. He does of solid job of mapping traits that helped us survive that are now working against us.
on “Your Brain Has Tricked You into Thinking Everything Is Worse” ↗…bacteria. Etc. I'm not sure what the bottleneck is...we did not evolve to sit all day, inside, at desk, gazing into screens. It really is *that* simple. p.s. While nothing revolutionary new per se "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter goes a solid job making the case for "this is where we came from, stop thinking where we are is compatible."
on “What Type of Exercise Is Best for Mental Health?” ↗…prof at Harvard. It's not a self-help type of fitness book. It's academic almost to a fault (read: great info but not too much fun to read). If you're looking for similar but more accessible, try "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter. Same general idea (i.e., how today's world is not fitting for the type of world we evolved in) but less into the weeds of the details.
on “Being in good physical shape could reduce the risk of nine types of cancer” ↗Mind you, your bar might be too high for these, but I found useful bits from both of the Michael Easter books: "The Comfort Crisis" and "Scarcity Brain." https://eastermichael.com/ Along the same lines, the two Annie Duke books that I read, "Thinking in Bets" and "Quit", were both entertaining and insightful. https://www.annieduke.com/…
on “Ask HN: What book(s) changed your routine(s) in 2023?” ↗Michael Easter "The Comfort Crisis" Michael Easter "Scarcity Brain" Annie Duke "Thinking In Bets" Annie Duke "Quit" All were readable and yet informative and intriguing. Rick Ruben's "The Creative Act" was also good, tho I felt it…
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in 2023” ↗…https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-human-metabol... Both a fairly dry and academic, but do get into the weeds if that's your thing. A third book that's related but is an easier more entertaining read is "The Comfort Crisis" but Michael Easter. https://eastermichael.com/book/ Easter actually interviews / quotes Lieberman. The gist of all three...from an evolutionary perspective, the human body is designed for lean caloric…
on “The biggest losers: Metabolic damage or constrained energy?” ↗Too great resources on the value of hardship: Michael Easter's The Comfort Crisis https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Crisis-Embrace-Discomfort-Rec... A Boy Named Sue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOHPuY88Ry4
on “Nvidia founder tells Stanford students their high expectations is a hindrance” ↗re: Walking After reading "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter, I've become a fan-boy for adding a weighted vest. The extra bit of weight helps, without feeling like a ball-busting workout.
on “Rethinking Exercise: How Too Much Can Speed Up Aging, According to Finnish Study (2023)” ↗…first triathlon. I work out about 2 hrs a day, 6x a week. If care about yourself, you'll make the time. Chase lofty physical goals and work towards them consistently. Book recs: Outlive by Peter Attia, Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
on “Ask HN: Health Advice for a Tech Person” ↗…with AI, drones, and much more. It is a Tom Clancy-like book about WW3 breaking out over Tawain. Sometimes, I would come out of reading it and be unsure if I was reading the news or a book. #2 - The Comfort Crisis By Michael Easter – What a fantastic book, I wish they studied this in high school for every single student. I listened to it on audiobook, and it was really well done there, too. The format is fantastic…
on “Ask HN: What are the best books you read in 2024?” ↗…things I read last year that were influential for me: Obituary for a Quiet Life (relatively short): https://bittersoutherner.com/feature/2023/obituary-for-a-qui... Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter My tl;dr is really just the pursuit of love, joy, good health, and good money.
on “Ask HN: Advice for someone entering their 30s” ↗The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. I gift this book at every opportunity and consistently receive overwhelmingly positive feedback, even from those who typically don't read much.
on “Ask HN: What books have been worth your time?” ↗