I’m amazed by how folks would have survived in that type of environment. It was from, I think, 1770 or 1780, and I was so excited because I’m very interested in ancestry and history. I wouldn’t say I’m suspicious of that, but more we’re conditioned to believe that happiness is something we should be experiencing all the time, that it’s the goal. I have many, but I’m going to make one up, which is hyper reactivity. It’s a superpower in a sense, and I suppose that’s part of the reason why I do what I do.

Source: The Irish Times December 21, 2025 09:53 UTC