30 Degree Shift

Only the most stubborn individuals would claim that there is no suffering in the world. From paper cuts to genocide, most of it is laid bare, plain to see for any who wish to risk a glance. It’s only logical that we run from it, searching for a warm blanket fresh from the dryer. Some, like Buddhists, claim the way forward is through detachment, but I think there’s a simpler way – and society is already embracing it wholeheartedly! While complete annihilation of suffering remains theoretically impossible, several laws have been discovered which outline methods to decrease relative suffering.[1]

First Law of Relative Suffering:

Each additional unit of suffering produces diminishing relative suffering.

The first and most widespread application is to heap suffering upon those who cannot defend against it. At first, this appears counterintuitive. I can already hear you shouting at your screen, “Doesn’t that increase suffering?”

You’re clever, friend reader, but you forget the most important term – “relative.” Indeed, the total amount of suffering increases during times of famine, war, and any number of vague and unnecessary cruelties available to the world and its denizens to inflict upon others. However, this begets a fundamental change in the neurochemistry of those suffering.

Corollary to the First Law:

As suffering increases, one asymptotically approaches a theoretical emotion named “contentment.”

The United States Military is aware of the power of the first law and its corollary, putting it into use from the first moment at boot camp. It’s why they scream and yell at you all the time. If you cry, it only gets worse. They tell you that you will kill people and repeat it every day. They tell you when you’re eating meatloaf and shining your shoes. They poke their head into the shower and mention it. They say it when you’re thinking about your mom’s laugh.

Eventually you start to hear it without their reminder, even years later when your mom’s laughter produces an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach. This is by design, and you should be grateful for it!

Second Law of Relative Suffering:

Hurt people hurt people.

This is quite a clever deployment of the cognitive biases we humans share. The trauma we inflict upon our soldiers makes them highly efficient at inflicting trauma on other populations. Furthermore, this mental state persists for quite some time, often being passed down to the next generation in a slightly diluted form of abuse. Thus, for a paltry investment, one is able to perpetuate increased suffering across generations.

Now here’s the magic. The more suffering experienced, the less the next unit of suffering increases the relative suffering. This effect increases to a theoretical limit of zero additional relative suffering for each new unit of unpleasantness. Amazing!

Third Law of Relative Suffering:

Detachment is effective, but costly

There is an alternative, however it is prohibitively expensive, like really f*****g expensive. So much so that we don’t even know how much it costs and may theoretically require more than money to achieve. Still, humanity has to try every alternative and assume the solution can be scaled eventually.

As I said before, it’s impossible to eliminate suffering from the world, but some clever individuals theorize that you may be able to take one or two people out of the world such that they don’t see or experience the suffering. There is great wisdom in this approach, mirroring the detachment advice of the Buddha. Sure, other people will still suffer and maybe a bit more than they did before that person escaped, but isn’t it worth a shot?

So far it hasn’t worked out. Some are beginning to wonder if the costs associated with continued experimentation might be foolish. Currently there are several individuals racing for this position and their combined investment toward the goal tops the wealthiest economies on earth. The beautiful thing is that these two systems reinforce one another. Increasing the suffering of a large mass of humans often comes with the bonus of enrichment, funding the isolationist ambitions of the ubermensch.

I’m sure all of this feel unfair. However, it’s important to remember we didn’t make these rules. Humans evolved with these biases, wouldn’t it be foolish to let them go to waste?

Among those who deride this theory are a small but vocal minority proposing a new hypothesis. I won’t go into their approach as it’s a bit woo-woo for my taste, but their argument can be stated thusly:

Theoretical Axiom of Suffering:

Suffering is important.

I sympathize with their emotional plea, and wish them the best of luck in their search for evidence, however the preliminary results for “meaning” remain inconclusive . Far more likely is that it’s all just one big coincidence that we’re left to deal with.

From the Rift,

[1] People are quick to celebrate general and special relativity in physics circles, but we often discount the value of relativism in social and cultural structures.

While we’re on the topic of suffering, let’s talk Monopoly.

On the other hand, I muse over a great many things. New essays every Wednesday at 11:11am.

Thanks for Reading!

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In This Episode

Why Monopoly turns winning into something strangely personal

What a rigged game can tell us about advantage and self-justification

Why winning has a way of making luck look like merit

Read the Full Essay

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About 30-Degree Shift

30-Degree Shift is a weekly exploration of absurdity, perception, and the subtle mechanics of being human released every Wednesday at 11:11am.

Credits

Written and narrated by William T. Torgerson.

Easier to Remove the Option

I twirl my hair. I've done it since childhood, I've tried repeatedly to stop, and eventually I found a remarkably effective solution: don't have enough hair to twirl.

This week on 30 Degree Shift, a small compulsive habit becomes an exploration of control, accommodation, headaches, buzz cuts, and why sometimes it's easier to remove an option than continually choose against it.

Read the Essay

Read “Twirling Hair” and find more from 30 Degree Shift at WilliamTorgerson.com.

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If you want to know how I was evolved as I twirled my hair, come get ready with me for lunch with the neighbor.

About 30 Degree Shift

30 Degree Shift is a weekly exploration of absurdity, perception, and the subtle mechanics of being human.

New essays every Wednesday at 11:11 a.m.

Credits

Written and narrated by William T. Torgerson.

In This Episode

What makes receiving a package feel so satisfying? This week's essay wanders from country mailboxes and junk mail to online impulse purchases, forgotten orders, fulfillment warehouses, and the beautiful invention of summerween.

Read the Full Essay

Prefer reading? You can find the complete essay here: https://30degreeshift.substack.com/on-receiving-a-pacakge

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I've discovered more obvious truths about the past you can read A Convenient Theory of History

About 30 Degree Shift

30 Degree Shift is a weekly exploration of absurdity, perception, and the subtle mechanics of being human.

New essays every Wednesday at 11:11am.

Credits

Written and narrated by William T. Torgerson

Intro and outro music by William T. Torgerson

In This Episode

Why do we assume ancient monuments were built for grand and mysterious purposes?

In this essay, we explore the most obvious theory of history throught the lens of civilization's greatest achievement - convenience.

Read the Full Essay

https://30degreeshift.substack.com/a-convenient-theory-of-history

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About 30 Degree Shift

30 Degree Shift is a weekly exploration of absurdity, perception, and the subtle mechanics of being human. New essays every Wednesday at 11:11am.

Subscribe for thoughtful essays, occasional fiction, and conversations that challenge the obvious.

Credits

Written and narrated by William T. Torgerson

The Crossroads Is Open.

Every once in a while, we leave The Rift behind and gather at The Crossroads.

Tonight's tale is Tip the Bartender, a fully produced cyberpunk short story about third spaces and the weight of choice.

Al’s bar is the only place in the city where droids and humans socialize. Zac has arrives on anniversary night carrying something that could change all of their lives forever.

Thank you for visiting The Crossroads.

If you'd prefer to read the story, explore weekly essays essays, or read more stories, you can find everything here.

Episode 22 — Pretty, Handsome, Hot

In this episode

Words have both definitions and cultural meanings

Why compliments aren’t equal.

How important is precision in language?

If you've ever argued over the meaning of a word—or secretly reorganized the dictionary in your head—this one's for you.

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30-Degree Shift is a weekly exploration of absurdity, perception, and the quiet mechanics of being human released every Wednesday at 11:11am.

Credits

Written and narrated by William T. Torgerson.

In This Episode

Why I things the hard way

Four months of research, drafting, illustration, and revision

The invisible work that gives art its weight

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https://30degreeshift.substack.com/the-weight-of-invisible-work

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Looking for the Deli Cup — The smallest details make fictional worlds feel real. I'm exploring why authentic observation matters more than encyclopedic knowledge, and why every story has its own version of a deli cup.

About 30-Degree Shift

30-Degree Shift is a weekly exploration of absurdity, perception, and the quiet mechanics of being human released every Wednesday at 11:11am.

Credits

Written and narrated by William T. Torgerson.

In This Episode

What The Bear gets right about world building

Why tiny details make fictional worlds feel real

A lesson from tomato plants, racing cars, and restaurant kitchens

The difference between adding detail and implying depth

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https:///30-degree-shift.substack.com/looking-for-the-deli-cup

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About 30-Degree Shift

30-Degree Shift is a weekly exploration of absurdity, perception, and the quiet mechanics of being human released every Wednesday at 11:11am.

Credits

Written and narrated by William T. Torgerson.

In This Episode

Why being a generalist can feel both exhilarating and tragic.

The hidden cost of every path we choose

How fiction became a way to experience lives that time can’t.

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https://30degreeshift.substack.com/robert-frosts-bill

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About 30-Degree Shift

30-Degree Shift is a weekly exploration of absurdity, perception, and the quiet mechanics of being human released every Wednesday at 11:11am.

Credits

Written and narrated by William T. Torgerson.