I read some self help books recommended by a therapist, then I found out the authors were Ayn Rand rationalists, and one of them had an affair with Ayn Rand. They were helpful because I tend to be in my own head too much, but looking out into the world a lot of people deserve to hate themselves more than I hate myself.

It’s easy to use self-esteem and self-actualization to justify pretty much anything you do to get ahead. Very little in those books is taking responsibility for shit things you’ve done, opposed to something like the 12 step program. Guilt/shame can be paralyzing if you feel too much of it, but Elon Musk deserves those feelings because he should completely change himself.

It’s the modern version of Catholic confession, but instead of being rich, buying indulgences, and saying a few hail Marys, it’s doing questionable philanthropy and learning to love yourself even though you’re throwing kids into the orphan crushing machine