I find this very interesting

How impulse control relates to prosperity.  

There is a LOT of information packed into this piece. Of course when I think about impulse control, I think about the people I know, and who is good at it and who is not and how that relates to their life.  But this perspective can be broadened to think about nations and culture, and the relationship between impulse control and wealth.

It circles back to an idea that I've been pondering lately that is inspired by basic behavioral ecology: The decision to do something is also the decision NOT to do something else.  The decision to spend your life climbing is also the decision to not, for example, go to college. Or to not stay in one place and cultivate meaningful relationships. Ultimately my decision to go to graduate school was, in some ways, the decision to not depend on climbing for overall happiness. It is not sustainable for me - the gain in climbing harder doesn't make up for what I would have to give up.

I think it's a decision that most obsessive climbers come to in the end, whether because they are not good enough to make it a profession, or because they don't want to limit their lives to such a narrow focus. I've seen a lot more depression/struggling in people with the former scenario.

By the way, this guy is so so smart. And so productive with his writing and blogging. It's really impressive.