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Reading "Hardwiring Happiness". I'm only part way through it but I'm pretty sure it's central idea is just "accentuate the positive". I think about that in contrast to (my understanding of) the Zen practice of detachment from things good or bad; I guess I have a fear of being delusionally happy, but I don't think that "rational" fear is all that rational, in the sense of wanting to adopt an outlook that's pragmatic and generally utilitarian.

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whoa i just realized that pizzas are insects and we eat their mushy insides then throw their exo skeleton pizza boxes away

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If you're in a hurry, just stick around for Superman from about 1:40 - 2:45 -- but it's all pretty amazing, go Ohio State!

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On FB, Christa wrote in response to that brain thing:

Are emotions even rational? Every emotion could be called a delusion if you break it down enough so why does it matter?

My response was:

Emotions can be rational to the extent they help you better guide your life.

There has to be a balance between subjectively feeling good and objectively being in a good place; we rightly don't approve of people overdosing on some awesome-feeling drug and dying young but happy. An opposite of having constant dour self-recriminating feelings leading one to being rich and powerful and miserable is terrible too.

But what this book argues is that we're wired for the latter, in (as they say) the brain is like velcro for bad experiences but teflon for good, but through mindfulness we can switch that up. (I haven't read far enough to know if the suggested technique is more specific than focusing on/being mindful of the good things as they happen and/or remembering past good things.)