Note: This post was crossposted by the Forum team from the Center for Reducing Suffering's Substack, with the author's permission. It is a newer and revised version of this earlier Forum post. The author may not see or respond to comments here. Content warning: descriptions of very bad experiences. Not graphic but may be disturbing. I I am writing these words while sitting in a comfortable chair in a comfortable 70 degree house. And, I suspect, you are too. Basically comfortable, that is. Physically. Maybe you’re a little cold, but not consumed by the screaming anguish of an icy ocean you cannot escape. Maybe stressed, but not asphyxiating. It's times like these I find it far too easy to ignore the most urgent, most serious, most fundamental problem in our world. II Once in a while, most of us endure suffering that completely consumes us. This need not be as severe as the horrors your mind can conjure. A kidney stone. Childbirth. Stubbing your toe hard, even. Those first first few seconds, as your nerves radiate electric signals up your leg, through your spine and into your brain, there is nothing in the world but pain. Talking—even thinking—about intense [...] ---Outline:(00:32) I(01:05) II(02:32) III(03:56) An exception(05:35) IV(05:51) In Alaska(07:25) V The Window(08:24) VII Conclusion ---
First published:
January 5th, 2026

Source:
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/8hphDQwCzYBFySPYE/on-suffering
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