Two minute things: texting your useless friends useless things

A quick happy tip

In this edition of my new two minute things series, I am sharing a very quick happy vibes tip. I am extracting this tip from the likes of Aristotle and happiness expert Arthur Brooks. Being happy relieves stress, and that relieves wrinkles. So it’s still on brand right? 😉 Note: this article is actually a 5 minute read. Oops.

I really enjoy Arthur Brooks. the happiness expert. At first, I thought that title, “happiness expert,” was corny and stupid as hell. But I first starting reading Arthur’s work in the Atlantic, where he is a regular columnist. I have read the Atlantic for years with great dedication.

I then heard him on the Richard Roll podcast. Definitely take a listen.

I have become increasingly engaged with his pragmatic and science based advice. In a world of bogus, woo-woo, and overcrowded self-help gurus flooded with pseudoscience and non practical life tips telling you to just “manifest it and it will happen,” his approach is refreshing and real.

As a former Wall Street research analyst, true data from a real intellectual who studies real research is music to my ears.

Arthur is not a typical wellness guru instagram influencer telling you to manifest your dreams, meditate, journal, sauna, and your perfect life will come true. Arthur is a science based happiness hacker. He has a PhD in social science. He is a former economics professor and did a stint at a think tank at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in Washington, DC, one of the world’s most influential think tanks.

In light of the coming New Year and New Year resolutions (yes, I do them, do you?), I wanted to share a simple two minute tip I lifted from Arthur. His tip is based in earlier findings and studies from Aristotle who studied friendship circles in his epic work on human life, The Nicomachean Ethics.

Artistotle called the most important friends in your life, “friends of virtue.” In modern day we might call them “ride or die” friends, and Arthur Brooks has brilliantly named them “useless” friends as studies show the friendships that give you the absolute most joy are those pursued for pure friendship – not as a means to something else. Ie. They have absolutely no utility. Ironically, the person who gives you the most joy in your life has no value to you whatsoever. They are useless.

And I have added my own small personal spin to make it into a two minute actionable tip. So, here it is: