Ep.4 - Craving the Struggle

In this episode of Totally Justified, Josh and Theo explore why humans actively seek out difficulty and whether easy is simply too easy. They debate the motivations behind endurance sports , analyse the psychology of brute-forcing chess , and discuss whether mechanical skill or macro strategy is more impressive in video games.Topics Covered:* Endurance and Ego: Theo explains why he signed up for a half triathlon purely out of competition with children. We also discuss how apps like Strava turn casual running into a battle for proof and peer recognition.* Brute-Forcing Chess: We take a look at Tyler1’s chess journey. We question if learning one strategy to win is as valid as mastering the entire game.* Mechanics vs. Macro: We dive into the ultimate gaming debate. We compare the mechanical precision required for Rocket League against the complex decision-making of MOBAs like League of Legends and Predecessor.* The Hardest and Easiest Games: We rank our most frustrating gaming experiences, including Brawlhalla, Hollow Knight, Cuphead, and Elden Ring. We also discuss how games like Minecraft become too easy without self-imposed challenges or mods.* Real World Difficulty: We contrast the instant gratification of Googling the Demon Core with the rewarding process of library research. We also cover the daily struggle of dieting and ask if deliberately slowing down makes achievements feel more rewarding.Listen now to find out why Josh refuses to play PC games without a controller and whether you are also creating your own unnecessary struggles. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit totallyjustified.substack.com