Apparently, There Is a Valuable Life Lesson We Can Learn From the Way We Browse Netflix

It seems like Netflix has something to teach us about how we live our lives. And no, we are not talking about their new documentary on Scientology, FYI.

Have you ever found yourself scrolling mindlessly through Netflix, unsure of what you want to watch? As you scroll past several half-watched TV shows and unfinished documentaries, you are at a complete loss as to what you want to see. And before you know it, it's way past your bedtime, so you cut your losses and go to sleep without having watched anything at all. 

Sounds familiar? Trust me, you aren't the only one doing this.

In fact, this is apparently a trend that has a deeper meaning — it's what Harvard Law student Pete Davis calls 'the defining characteristic of our generation'. Quite simply put, it comes from an inability to commit. Pete calls the infinite browsing mode, 'keeping our options open'. He likens it to leaving home and entering a long hallway.

"When Hollywood tells tales of courage, they usually take the form of slaying the dragon. It’s all about the big, brave moments. The most menacing dragons that stand in the way, are the everyday boredom, and distraction, and uncertainty that can erode our ability to commit to anything for the long haul," he said, continuing, "‌As I’ve grown older here, I’ve also started seeing the downsides of having so many open doors. Nobody wants to be stuck behind a locked door, but nobody wants to live in a hallway, either. It’s great to have options when you lose interest in something, but I’ve learned here that the more times I do this, the less satisfied I am with any given option. And lately, the experiences I crave, are less the rushes of novelty, and more those perfect Tuesday nights, when you eat dinner with the friends who you have known for a long time, who you’ve made a commitment to, and who won’t quit you because they found someone better."

So, whats the problem again?

What Pete is trying to say is basically this: Our generation has developed a form of commitment phobia, much like the FOMO we all suffer from, that is depriving us from building on and enjoying meaningful life experiences. The solution, according to him, is simple. Once you find a job, experience, or person you kind of like, commit your time and energy to it and see it all the way through. This is the key to leading a meaningful life, full of beautiful experiences. 

What he is trying to say is, once you see a movie you might like, don't spend time dilly-dallying, just pick it and watch the whole thing!

Watch the rousing speech to know exactly what this mind-blowing theory is: