Hacker News Reader

There's a backlash here though.

I've actually stopped telling people I don't watch TV because there is now a "holier than thou" aura around it. I think most people hate how much they like TV, but if you mention how you just stopped TV all together, they think you are just rubbing it in, like you're better than them. Like the guy who always talks about he was just "hitting the gym". No one like that guy either.

Any suggestions?

View on HN

This is very true for any lifestyle decision that seems to suggest a more productive way of living to someone else. We naturally feel the need to have our lifestyle habits justified as the right choice. Any threat to that, is a threat to our egos.

A better strategy would be to point out the progress (even if false) that someone is making in living a better life (less TV for example). If you can successfully plant that identity seed in their head, they will feel empowered to continue to cut back. The ego is a funny construct.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com