Christ I'd forgotten about this thread.

An example of the paradox of choice. Take my current situation as an example. I have a choice - either I stay in the UK and get a proper job, or I move abroad and have a bit of an adventure. I have a choice, and am completely free to make that choice because there are no mitigating external factors, ie no external influences. In other words, I could just as easily make one choice as the other. I am aware of this.

I am also aware that each choice will harbour consequences, some good, some bad. However, since neither choice is demonstrably better or worse than the other (because such terminology is undefinable), there is no point me choosing one over the other. Whichever I choose will make me equally happy, or unhappy, or will have absolutely no impact on my state of being. I will still be me, I will still exist and I will still be faced with further choice. Therefore, because there is no point in choosing, I do not choose and this results in inaction. In realising I am completely free to do as I please, I make choice impossible.

Compare and contrast with most people. Most people do not have a choice in what they do because they do what is expected of them; what external factors and influences dictate that they should. They do not feel free, and thus make choices that they do not feel are choices, more expectations. But in this, they are free - free to make choices expected of them, and therefore do actually make the choice to persue something. Someone I know from uni, for instance, went straight into working in insurance when he graduated (thanks in no small part to Daddy). He didn't realise it, but he had a world of choice in what he wanted to do, but chose (due to external factors) to go into insurance. Thus he made a choice (without realising it) and took an action. I, presented with all the choice in the world, simply cannot make my mind up.