Americans seem "open" because of social norms and weak ties — not necessarily Big5 Openness. Regional differences exist, but let's not confuse cultural differences with personality traits.
What I'm saying:
Every trait has a potential path to success and a shadow side. The game isn't about having the "right" trait. It's about knowing your wiring and building systems that work with it, not against it.
I have a feeling you didn't listen to the whole thing where I also pointed out that I like to have a chill life, don't particularly like to travel and pointed out the potential issues with high openness.
Your comment is the exact example of the reason talking to someone like you requires constant "caveats" just to avoid getting dragged into a nitpicky debate.
It's not that you're wrong, everything you're saying is correct, it's that you're clearly missing the point and essentially killed any ability for me to get into an interesting conversation with you.
Also, for real, if you're listening to my podcast and feel like i'm making "dangerous oversimplifications" you're definitely in the wrong place, i'm not here to make constant caveats.
Oppenness makes me think a lot about people who wants to keep learning new things. Someone who isn't just statically satisfied with things as they are.
Those people just mow their lawn, stay in their grey house and accept the world is unchangeable. Follow the rules and do as society expects of them.
While openness is a yearning hunger for learning and growth, excited to dig into new interests or trying something new. They are okay being a beginner at something. People not afraid to suck at something new, because what other people think of them doesn't matter so much.
I wonder if there is room for a future alternate version of alreadythere thats about bringing people who are not-there-yet - taking rigid people through an experience that opens them up a bit.
You mention a post by Paul Graham about openness. Do you happen to have a link? Couldn’t seem to find it myself.
Weirdly I cant find the exact one but I really thought it was in this one: https://paulgraham.com/cities.html but it could also be referenced in this: https://paulgraham.com/greatwork.html
Thank you!
I must be honest. I listen to the podcast on 1.5 speed at least.
Mainly out of two reasons:
1. My brain wonders when listening to 1x
2. The intro song has even more hype when played on 1.5 speed.
Hahahha very fair reasons!
Love this!
Cheers Will
would love your thoughts on some of my stuff. follow me back, I can DM you?
I disagree with some of this, Jonathan.
Openness helps. But it's not the solo act.
Big5 (OCEAN) is actually the one personality test that is accepted by research.
And research shows success comes from the trio:
High Conscientiousness, High Openness, Low Neuroticism.
Not just one trait.
All Big5 traits have trade-offs. Framing one as "easy mode" oversimplifies and dismisses the valid strengths of different personality types.
- High O people explore more options — but struggle to commit and finish. Constant search for novelty.
- Low O people go deep. They build routines that actually stick. Routines are the real engine of long-term progress.
You said, "Low openness = reduced life quality."
It's a dangerous oversimplification. Stability isn't boring. Focus isn't a limitation. For many people, depth and mastery are the rich life.
You said, "High O is life on 'easy mode'":
High O isn't "easy mode" — it's restless mode.
Constant novelty-seeking creates constant restlessness. Commitment becomes painful. Satisfaction stays elusive.
You said Americans are more open:
Cultural openness ≠ personality openness.
Americans seem "open" because of social norms and weak ties — not necessarily Big5 Openness. Regional differences exist, but let's not confuse cultural differences with personality traits.
What I'm saying:
Every trait has a potential path to success and a shadow side. The game isn't about having the "right" trait. It's about knowing your wiring and building systems that work with it, not against it.
I have a feeling you didn't listen to the whole thing where I also pointed out that I like to have a chill life, don't particularly like to travel and pointed out the potential issues with high openness.
Your comment is the exact example of the reason talking to someone like you requires constant "caveats" just to avoid getting dragged into a nitpicky debate.
It's not that you're wrong, everything you're saying is correct, it's that you're clearly missing the point and essentially killed any ability for me to get into an interesting conversation with you.
Also, for real, if you're listening to my podcast and feel like i'm making "dangerous oversimplifications" you're definitely in the wrong place, i'm not here to make constant caveats.
Oppenness makes me think a lot about people who wants to keep learning new things. Someone who isn't just statically satisfied with things as they are.
Those people just mow their lawn, stay in their grey house and accept the world is unchangeable. Follow the rules and do as society expects of them.
While openness is a yearning hunger for learning and growth, excited to dig into new interests or trying something new. They are okay being a beginner at something. People not afraid to suck at something new, because what other people think of them doesn't matter so much.
I wonder if there is room for a future alternate version of alreadythere thats about bringing people who are not-there-yet - taking rigid people through an experience that opens them up a bit.
I honestly still don't know how to "encourage" openness, just find the topic fascinating. But yeah the beginners mindset is definitely part of it.