"La mayoría de la gente preferiría morir antes que pensar; de hecho, lo hacen."

The core idea here is that people generally avoid deep thinking to such an extent that it might as well be considered a fate worse than death for them. It’s a bit of an exaggeration, sure, but it really hammers home the point about how much folks resist really digging into their thoughts and beliefs.

This quote comes from Bertrand Russell, a British philosopher, logician, and social critic. He was known for challenging conventional wisdom and encouraging critical thinking. He believed that many people go through life on autopilot, not questioning their own assumptions or the world around them. And, let’s be real, in a world filled with distractions—your phone buzzing every two minutes, the latest Netflix series dropping, the endless scroll of social media—it's easier than ever to avoid the hard work of deep thinking.

Now, picture this: you’re at work, and a new project lands on your desk. It’s big, it’s complex, and it’s got 'headache' written all over it. You’ve got two choices. You can tackle it head-on, breaking it down, and really thinking through the best approach. Or you can skim the surface, doing just enough to get by. It’s tempting to take the easy way out, isn’t it? That's the kind of situation Russell is talking about. Too often, people choose the path of least resistance, avoiding the tough mental labor that real progress requires.

Take the example of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple. Jobs was renowned for his ability to think deeply and challenge established norms. When developing the iPhone, the easy route would have been to create just another cell phone. But Jobs and his team didn't settle; they questioned everything—from the user interface to the design aesthetics. This relentless pursuit of deep thinking and innovation led to the creation of a product that changed the world.

So, how can you apply this wisdom to your own life? Start by getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. When you find yourself avoiding a tricky problem or a challenging conversation, push yourself to engage rather than retreat. Ask questions—lots of them. Why do I believe this? What are the alternatives? What’s the evidence? And maybe, just maybe, put down your phone for a bit to let your mind wander deeply into a topic.

Imagine you’re sitting with a friend, having coffee. They’re venting about a big decision they have to make—say, whether to switch careers. They’re overwhelmed, stuck in a loop of circular thinking. You could just nod and agree, but instead, you push them a bit. "What’s the real reason you want to switch?" you ask. "What’s holding you back?" This nudging encourages them to really think, dig deep, and confront their true feelings and fears. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s always valuable.

In the end, it’s about embracing the challenge of thinking deeply. It’s about recognizing that while it might be hard, it’s also incredibly rewarding. So next time you catch yourself shying away from a tough question or problem, remember Russell’s words. And dive in. Who knows what you’ll discover?