Stay Alive: Imagine Yourself Decades From Now
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Oct. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Many of us have said our own versionof St. Augustine’s famous prayer, “Grant me chastity andcontinence, but not yet.” We vow to start dieting and exercising(next month). We promise to begin saving money (later). Soon, wewill be calling to make that long-overdue dental appointment(maybe).
Philosophers and social scientists have been keenlyinterested in learning exactly why some people fail to give alot of weight to their own futures, even when that failureproduces real hardship. Perhaps those who start to smoke don’teven identify with their future selves, who may be seriouslyharmed as a result.