We Need More Sins (Sins = Rules that Make Your Life Better)

In this Based Camp episode, Malcolm Collins (with Simone Collins) explores an expanded framework for personal morality and "modern sins" designed to maximize mental health, personal efficacy, and long-term human flourishing. Framed through a Christian and Techno-Puritan lens, they discuss how biblical morality has iteratively improved over time and why we need updated rules for today's world.

Topics include: avoiding busywork and performative suffering, rejecting pride and status signaling, the dangers of inaction and moral absolutism, self-flagellation, empty words, corrupted mercy, and living with aplomb. They emphasize consequentialist ethics focused on future human (and post-human) flourishing through science, technology, and disciplined living.

A practical guide to building a better life, overcoming common traps, and aligning daily actions with higher purpose. Applicable to Christians, secular listeners, and anyone seeking a high-agency value system.

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Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction & Framing Modern Morality

[00:02:00] Biblical Morality as Iterative Improvement

[00:06:00] Sins as Long-Term Self-Interest Rules

[00:11:00] Building an Objective Function for Life

[00:16:00] Sin 1: Acting Due to Societal Expectations

[00:18:00] Sin 2: Pride & Owning Others

[00:19:00] Sin 3: Living to Fit an Image/Archetype

[00:22:00] Sin 4: Busywork & Performative Suffering

[00:28:00] Sin 5: Lacking Aplomb (Emotional Indulgence)

[00:38:00] Sin 6: Moral Absolutism & Deontology

[00:44:00] Sin 7: Inaction & Waiting for Perfect Conditions

[00:50:00] Sin 8: Self-Flagellation & Dwelling on Past Mistakes

[00:53:00] Sin 9: Needless Exposure to Temptation

[00:59:00] Sin 10: Empty Words, Venting & Trauma Dumping

[01:01:00] Sin 11: Status Signaling & In-Group Signaling

[01:02:00] Additional Sins: Entitlement, Nostalgia, Rumination, Risking Life for Thrills

[01:04:00] Corrupted Mercy & Updating Biblical Charity