Reviews
The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning by Paul Bloom, Paul Bloom
kathrynhmm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Super interesting exploration into the value of suffering and non happiness--how we benefit from, seek it out, and can understand it as supportive of well being and happiness.
gbpy's review against another edition
3.0
ehh it's okay if you treat it more as a "here's the summary of the newest state of several disparate psychological concepts"
vereena87's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoy the way Paul Bloom writes and explains things, coincidentally one of the only people who I always enjoy listening on any podcast. This book was entertaining and thought provoking, made me learn things about myself and the people around me.
holodoxa's review against another edition
4.0
Paul Bloom, a well-known Canadian cognitive psychologist, has added a third popular science book to his body of work, The Sweet Spot. It makes for a great addition to his prior books on the innate, evolved moral systems of the brain (Just Babies) and the social limitations of empathy (Against Empathy), fitting well thematically with little overlapping content. The Sweet Spot is "an extended argument that chosen suffering can generate and enhance pleasure, and that it is an essential part of meaningful activities and a meaningful life." While the work is somewhat light on profundity (purposefully so in some ways), Bloom writes lucidly on the topical empirical research (and its limitations) and provides careful reflection on these insights by drawing on relevant literary theory, philosophy, and general commentary on the human condition. Bloom brings a balanced humility to this topic and is gentle with his prescriptions, which seems appropriate given the methodological and epistemic limitations to the available science.
Bloom's central claim builds on a sort of syllogism. First, certain ways of struggling or hurting can be sources of pleasure. Second, living a meaningful requires more than hedonic pleasure, including some sort or morality and worthwhile pursuits. And finally, the conduit to achieving a well lived life will require struggle and adversity. Some readers will find this argument axiomatic (or otherwise unoriginal) and may think a book length discussion of these ideas are unwarranted, but I think Bloom's succinctness and ability to draw expertly from multiple disciplines and bodies of literature justifies the work. However, I am a bit concerned that the self-evident nature of these claims may have lulled me into a less critical space as a reader. After finishing the book, I was still somewhat left with a feeling that some aspect of this topic was being overlooked or not considered (despite Bloom's thoroughness and thoughtfulness).
Overall, The Sweet Spot is an engaging, short read that only briefly loses a bit of focus and punch in its middle-late chapters. I found the portions drawing on literary theory to be especially edifying and thought provoking. There is also an interesting and somewhat poignant contrarianism to the work. Bloom is bold enough to argue for the necessity of suffering and the good it can do, while otherwise immersed in a zeitgeist that looks increasingly receptive to and on the precipice of Brave New World type transformation.
*Disclaimer: I received this work as an ARC through Netgalley.
Bloom's central claim builds on a sort of syllogism. First, certain ways of struggling or hurting can be sources of pleasure. Second, living a meaningful requires more than hedonic pleasure, including some sort or morality and worthwhile pursuits. And finally, the conduit to achieving a well lived life will require struggle and adversity. Some readers will find this argument axiomatic (or otherwise unoriginal) and may think a book length discussion of these ideas are unwarranted, but I think Bloom's succinctness and ability to draw expertly from multiple disciplines and bodies of literature justifies the work. However, I am a bit concerned that the self-evident nature of these claims may have lulled me into a less critical space as a reader. After finishing the book, I was still somewhat left with a feeling that some aspect of this topic was being overlooked or not considered (despite Bloom's thoroughness and thoughtfulness).
Overall, The Sweet Spot is an engaging, short read that only briefly loses a bit of focus and punch in its middle-late chapters. I found the portions drawing on literary theory to be especially edifying and thought provoking. There is also an interesting and somewhat poignant contrarianism to the work. Bloom is bold enough to argue for the necessity of suffering and the good it can do, while otherwise immersed in a zeitgeist that looks increasingly receptive to and on the precipice of Brave New World type transformation.
*Disclaimer: I received this work as an ARC through Netgalley.
bundy23's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay. Decently written. I didn't really learn anything but the argument was laid out well enough.
3thingsaboutthisbook's review against another edition
4.0
If we have to sit down and do nothing for a long period of time, we might like it at the beginning. Having nothing keeping our brain and/or hands occupied should be nice for a change. But then probably after couple of hours of “hedonism”, we will start fidgeting. If not our body, our mind will start to go from nice and quiet to let’s think about all the things we could be doing right now or work the next day. So even when we are given the option not to stress ourselves, we still end up asking for it. Because we, humans, like certain level of pain, displeasure and struggle in our lives. Otherwise, what are we going to whine about all day?
Paul Bloom talks about that “necessary” level of struggle that we bring onto ourselves to find meaning and sense of accomplishment. No one likes to talk about “I took x number of breaths today” or “my heart circulated blood x times”. Although these are accomplishments and very necessary things that we need to do ongoing basis
Paul Bloom talks about that “necessary” level of struggle that we bring onto ourselves to find meaning and sense of accomplishment. No one likes to talk about “I took x number of breaths today” or “my heart circulated blood x times”. Although these are accomplishments and very necessary things that we need to do ongoing basis