I strongly disagree. "Big problems" are the same as a misplaced "passion." To find happiness, learn what passion actually is. It's different from "interest."
In my own life and many of my friends', "passion" is often mistakenly replaced by "important, abstract idea that sounds good." As in "I am passionate about saving the environment." Of course the environment is important, and having an interest in it is one thing, but this is not the same as actually being called to work day-to-day on this issue.
The decision you should actually make is something like: I enjoy making sense of large, ugly datasets. Or, I like cold-calling businesses and convincing them of the value of something they would never think of. If you enjoy that day-to-day work, then sure, go ahead and use it for the environment. But don't get a degree and a job in "environmental studies" just because the issue is interesting.
A "passion" is the thing you do even when you're tired or sick, and practice even when you have better things to do. You don't always enjoy it, but you do it anyway. You would be happy working another job in order to keep doing it.
For many of us who found programming, the discipline and long hours of humiliating bug-hunting have taught us what "passion" really is. But many people never have the chance to do that. High school classes, college clubs, and even most Millennial-oriented "save the world" jobs are generally more about "interests," things that are impressive-sounding and interesting in the abstract, rather than "passions," gut-wrenchingly difficult disciplines that demand our attention each moment.
Happiness isn't about passion. Or interest. Or possessing something. Or accomplishing stuff.
Happiness is by definition a subjective state of mind. It can be easily manipulated.
Consider for instance someone riding on a bus on a normal day who gets a phone call telling her that she has won a $70 million dollar lottery. This individual proceeds to become ecstatically happy, even though nothing has been gained or lost in that moment. 5 minutes later she finds out that this is just a crank call, now her level of happiness will be lower than it was before she got the fake news. Even though nothing has changed objectively.
In the real world people generally accept that a rockstar, with many things going for him socioeconomically, can be depressed to the point of committing suicide. But don't seem to take seriously the notion that there are people who are incredibly happy but don't really have a lot going for them in socio-economic terms.
On the balance, the meme that there is some sort of objective circumstance that can lead to satisfaction and happiness is required for civilization to progress.
In my own life and many of my friends', "passion" is often mistakenly replaced by "important, abstract idea that sounds good." As in "I am passionate about saving the environment." Of course the environment is important, and having an interest in it is one thing, but this is not the same as actually being called to work day-to-day on this issue.
The decision you should actually make is something like: I enjoy making sense of large, ugly datasets. Or, I like cold-calling businesses and convincing them of the value of something they would never think of. If you enjoy that day-to-day work, then sure, go ahead and use it for the environment. But don't get a degree and a job in "environmental studies" just because the issue is interesting.
A "passion" is the thing you do even when you're tired or sick, and practice even when you have better things to do. You don't always enjoy it, but you do it anyway. You would be happy working another job in order to keep doing it.
For many of us who found programming, the discipline and long hours of humiliating bug-hunting have taught us what "passion" really is. But many people never have the chance to do that. High school classes, college clubs, and even most Millennial-oriented "save the world" jobs are generally more about "interests," things that are impressive-sounding and interesting in the abstract, rather than "passions," gut-wrenchingly difficult disciplines that demand our attention each moment.