The Paradox of Modernity: Finding Meaning in Andy Warhol’s Observations

In this episode of A Little Happier, host Gretchen Rubin explores the profound and often eccentric insights of Andy Warhol, focusing on his unique perspective on human nature, the challenges of self-direction, and the lingering sense of anachronism in our modern world.

The Burden of Self-Direction

Rubin begins by highlighting her admiration for Andy Warhol’s writing, specifically referencing his book, The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again). She draws attention to a provocative sentiment Warhol expressed regarding the nature of labor: "When I think about what sort of person I would most like to have on a retainer, I think it would be a boss."

Rubin validates this perspective, noting that for many, "the hardest part about working is telling yourself what to do." This resonates as a universal truth in the modern workplace—the cognitive load of self-management is often more exhausting than the execution of the tasks themselves. According to Rubin, once the ambiguity of "what to do" is removed by an external authority, the actual process of working becomes "much easier." Her reflection serves as a reminder that we often crave structure not because we lack capability, but because we seek relief from the relentless necessity of internal decision-making.

The Feeling of Anachronism

Beyond the practicalities of work, Rubin delves into the deeper, more "eerie" or "nonsensical" observations Warhol made. She discusses how Warhol would identify things that felt oddly out of place in contemporary life—phenomena that felt like relics of a bygone era despite continuing to occur. This inspired Rubin to curate her own list of "anachronistic" events that feel strikingly primitive or surreal in the 21st century.

Her list includes a jarring mix of natural and human-made occurrences:

• Volcanoes erupting
• Museum guards standing in galleries
• Political adversaries of the Russian government being thrown out of windows
• Birds causing an airplane to crash
• Growing crops for food
• Relying on a physical wall to keep out intruders
• Heart attacks rising in frequency during the Super Bowl

Embracing the Absurdity

Rubin openly acknowledges the "absurdity" of her list. She admits that it is "ridiculous to think that growing crops for food seems anachronistic," yet she confesses to harboring that "vague feeling" that these events belong to a different timeline.

By sharing these thoughts, Rubin is not suggesting that these events are literally outdated, but rather exploring a psychological state where the rapid pace of technological and social change makes traditional human behaviors and environmental realities feel like remnants of a distant past. This exercise serves as a mindfulness practice—a way to observe the world with the same detached, curious, and slightly surreal lens that Warhol applied to his own life.

Conclusion

The episode concludes by inviting the audience to reflect on their own perceptions. By asking, "Is there anything that happens today that seems somehow anachronistic?" Rubin encourages listeners to engage with their environment more deeply. Through the lens of Warhol, she suggests that acknowledging these feelings of dissonance can lead to a more thoughtful, and perhaps "a little happier," way of navigating the complexities of modern existence.