## Definition The default setting is a term from [[Impactful Videos#This is water by David Foster Wallace|This is water by David Foster Wallace]] that describes a mentality or behavior that occurs without conscious consideration. It's the automatic lens through which we view the world and instinctively act upon it, akin to a pre-set program. This mode of operation requires no deliberate effort, as it's our ingrained, go-to response, shaped by past experiences, upbringing, or even basic human tendencies. Overcoming the default setting through [[willpower]] is one of the most powerful forms of [[love|self-love]]. ## Some examples of default setting mindsets: - **Only my concerns and feelings matter:** An egocentric viewpoint where personal worries, anxieties, and desires consistently overshadow or dismiss the needs and emotions of others, such as frequently interrupting to steer conversations back to oneself. - **Everyone thinks exactly the way I do:** This reflects a false consensus bias, leading to the mistaken assumption that one's own beliefs, values, and preferences are universally shared, often resulting in surprise or disbelief when encountering differing opinions on significant topics like politics or ethics. - **I know everything:** A mindset characterized by intellectual arrogance or a deep-seated fear of appearing ignorant, manifesting as a resistance to new information, a tendency to dismiss expert advice, or an unwillingness to admit mistakes. - **Everyone else is in my way:** This perspective often arises from impatience and a self-centered view of time and space, where other people are perceived primarily as obstacles to one's own goals or progress, evident in behaviors like aggressive driving or frustration in queues. - **My value is based on my performance:** This default links self-worth directly and often exclusively to achievements, external validation, or productivity, causing significant emotional distress over minor setbacks or criticisms, irrespective of overall competence or other positive personal qualities. ## Some examples of default setting behaviors: - **Procrastination:** The habitual act of delaying tasks, especially those perceived as difficult or unpleasant, to avoid immediate discomfort, often leading to increased stress and poorer outcomes, such as putting off studying for an important exam until the last minute. - **Judging others as if their actions are the result of character flaws:** This is a manifestation of the fundamental attribution error, where we instinctively attribute others' behaviors to their personality (e.g., "they're lazy") rather than considering situational factors (e.g., "they might be facing unseen difficulties or a particularly challenging day"). - **Blaming others for my problems:** A defensive mechanism to deflect personal responsibility by assigning fault to external people or circumstances, which can hinder personal growth and effective problem-solving, for instance, blaming a poor grade entirely on a "bad teacher" instead of reflecting on one's own study habits. - **Only being concerned with the present:** This short-sighted approach prioritizes immediate gratification or current issues while neglecting long-term consequences or future planning, such as consistently spending impulsively without saving for future goals or emergencies. - **Being judgemental of others:** The tendency to form quick, often negative, assessments of individuals based on limited information, superficial traits like appearance or speech, or preconceived stereotypes, without seeking deeper understanding. - **Acting as though my emotions and needs are apparent to everyone else:** This default stems from an assumption that our internal states are transparent or that others should intuitively understand us, leading to a lack of clear communication and potential misunderstandings when unspoken expectations aren't met.