There are so many things that I know I'll never know, but there are many more I don't know I'll never know. I hope to lessen the count on both of those for both myself and anyone else interested, so I pose this simple question. I want to see life through your eyes; please tell me what it is that you understand about it. Thanks :)
That i am a goddamn miserable person who puts on a front to all people in order to conform to values that I dont agree with. That the universe doesn't give a shit about me. That while trying to remain uncynical I am becoming more and more cynical. That questions like this will never connect you to other people. Let me tell you a secret, well fuck it its not a secret. "Do you believe in god" type questions about anything like big events? THEY WILL GIVE YOU NOTHING.
The reason? Because people are more important than what they believe. Ask someone about a particular event or time in their life and you will make more friends and connections that you ever will asking bullshit abstractions.
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So I'm editing this and taking out some stuff that was here because it was personal and I was very drunk and depressed when I wrote it. Suffice to say, because of the alcohol and the current state of work/family dynamics I had a bad day when I wrote this post. I'll keep the content as is except for the personal things that I really should not have written. I ask that people who see this look at it with the introspection that we all have bad days and this one was particularly bad for me and I took it out on hubski's comment system.
I want to be clear, I am not struggling to accept anything I've read more philosophy and psychology books than most post grad students trying to add bullet points to their resume. Camus, dada, surrealisms and absurdisms are all fine but never do anything because they are just ideas and ideas are cheap. There is a difference between knowing and understanding. - Feynman
I never intended for this question to be a setup. I'm just interested in how all different kinds of people come into what they see as understanding in a world that probably doesn't give a shit about anyone. But you have to realize that the world is what you make of it. I have absolutely no authority to tell you anything. However, I can comment on one of your points: the one about abstractions. I really don't care about making friends right now, I can say I don't care how others perceive me (it's a lie), but I do care about allowing people to think. By being asked bullshit abstractions, people are confronted with ideas contrary to the norm. Ideas that they themselves may never have conjured up on their own. I'm not worried about truly feeling a connection with someone, no, I'm worried about the things I could never imagine on my own. Understandings that people have that I may never experience. I'm worried about the unknown unknowns. Sure, I can garner some sense of scope at how insignificant my problems really are, but I know, in the long run, that won't matter. What does matter is our attempt at making our lives truly our own. In my worldview, I don't think we can do that until we understand everything else that is out there; be it through introspection, conversation, or any other means of reflection. We, as a species, will probably never know everything, and some may say that it is pointless to even try.
1. way to long of a reply for a friday 2. abstractions comment was not about you but in general I hate these things, its fine if you like themm 3. Thanks for talking about your worries THAT is the shit that makes people connect. 4. four 5. I dont think you are bullshit, just sometimes questions are, we're human, I just made this list of replies and it's already bullshit, dont take it personally.
It's all good, dude. I didn't feel attacked, just wanted to explain myself. You made some really good points. Honestly, this is the only answer to make me really think about things I hadn't considered :) Everything's bullshit, man. We just have to find the best shit to make fuel.
A big one someone told me is everyone around you has a rich life. A favorite song, a book that stuck with them, friends, family, hopes and fears. That jerk who cut me off on the way to work wasn't some jerk put on Earth to cut me off, it's someone who has their own things going on in their life. Putting a rich life behind the strangers I cross paths with helps me feel better about life.
There's actually a term for that! It's called "sonder."
"Sonder" is an invented word, created specifically to address such a feeling. Its creator is the author of the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, though I don't know his name. He has a YouTube channel where he explains what those words mean or are meant to describe.
We only matter as much as we manage to make an impact. We can literally are not more worth, more important or relevant than any other pile of carbon atoms, unless we make ourselves heard or seen. The world is inherently unfair, privilege is a real thing. Put a lot of effort into digging yourself out of the hole you were born into. The only cosy place I can imagine there is, the only way to find a place to shape and influence the world, unless you mange to be the next Bill Gates (or similar) is in establishing meaningful relationships.
I understand why people don't worry about things. For everything in life, there's a limit on exactly how much preparation you can have for things. You a limited amount of time to study for a test. You have a limited amount of time to prepare for an interview. What you do in that time will be reflected in due time - so what's the point in stressing out over it? Granted, not all stress is bad and stress can be used to push you to do your best, but then there's the unnecessary stress. People freak out so much over tests - before and after them. You know what you know, and you know what you don't know. Now, it's time to put it on paper. You can study to do better, but you also have the choice not to. Doing anything else than that is just pointless. Losing the sleep thinking about the next day's test isn't going to help. Shaking from the questions on the test isn't going to help. Freaking out over the results of a test before you get them isn't going to help. Why worry? Go to sleep knowing that you did all you could have done. Write the answers down as best as you can. Sit back and relax until you get the results. There's no reason that you should be losing sleep or panicking over anything, because it's either going to make things worse or do nothing. Sometimes I catch myself getting anxious over something and I have to fix that, but I look around and see people that act like their whole life is a minor misstep away from crashing and burning. They always panic, they're never happy - or anything but terrified. Meanwhile, I'm over here doing a nose dive, but at least I'm still keeping my cool.
I understand that you're given a limited set of time and dwelling on negatives will only shorten the amount of time you have for happy memories. I understand there are many things in life I'm incapable of changing on my own but that doesn't mean I have to dwell on them. All I can do is be kind and try to leave things better off than when I found them. A laid back approach to life has brought me a lot more happiness than when I let my rage and frustration run unchecked. Take things as they come. Hold on to the good things and let go of the bad. God, I feel like I'm writing a self help book so I'll stop.
Most people are terrible. When you find the good ones, keep them around.
The meaning of life is to love life more than its meaning.
I'm not trying to attack you, just playing devil's advocate, but do we really understand 42? Sure, we can break it down into its primes, we can manipulate it, we can modify it, but does that mean we understand it? Is it really that simple of a number? Are any numbers that simple? I mean, look at 1. It's got all kinds of weird properties to it! Maybe someday we'll find similar properties for 42. Hell, once you start changing bases that numbers gets weird anyway!
Einstein was upset with the quantum physicists: "God does not play dice with the universe." There are 21 dots on a 1d6. 21 x 2 = 42.
Zero is easily the craziest non-complex number!
1. try not to be a dick.
2. try to learn something new. Repeat daily. It may not be a philosophy leading to happiness or wealth, but I can live with it.
I look at the world around knowing that what i see and feel through my senses is nothing more than my brains reinterpretation of the real world that is beyond my senses and wonder if there is more to this world than what shadows are cast upon my senses. Its a beautiful symphony directed by the power of my life to create a world around me and at the same time a sinister nightmare of feeling trapped by my own limitations as a human being. What is life for me. Its the sum of it's parts, all these tiny bits that make up what is me gave me the gift of being counsciouss about being alive. Wnating to live forever and at the same time longing for it to be over... My mind is free, i can do anything i choose to do. Nothing matters unless i decide it matters, i am my own god. But then again all these indoctrinated habits of behavior forced upon me by reward and consequence locks me in a cage forged by the nature of my brain. Must break free and gain back the power of free will i had at childhood. Fuck memories, Fuck authority, Fuck every order laid upon me by society created by human believing themselfs to be above me. I treat all like equals to me, and if they think otherwise about me, then let the strongest win.
Life the process is a system which decreases it's localized entropy by increasing the entropy of it's surroundings. A side effect of this is that the overall entropy will increase faster than if the life form wasn't there.
Some of us live in a more encompassing reality than others. And I don't mean the difference between the rich and poor.
I am specifically referring to the "super"natural. That which only some scientists have the manginas and lady balls to confront scientifically just as anything "normal" -- like gravity, consciousness, and quantum physics. There are some of us who have experienced these things, things which have been recorded and studied in many ways... and others who haven't. Or still others who have but refuse to see it for what it is: aspects of reality not discussed as they should be.
If someone knew for a fact that extra dimensions and interconnection existed on a literal spiritual level it would affect how one saw their life and interacted in the world. If more people had a connection with that reality there would also be more knowledge to be had.
I gotta ask because your response is super normal and funny: where did the supernatural touch you as a child?
I have seen my evidence and you have seen yours. Feel that way if you want.
Why are you so angry? You can Google paranormal hoax as well as you can Google paranormal real. No one is saying some of it isn't garbage.. but to say it all is is disingenuous. At the last: I am certainly not the only or best person to ask such things and I did not claim to be. If you want more answers go find them yourself. I have my experiences and you yours. What matters to me is how we respond. As far as I am concerned humanity can barely handle reality as it is without people trying to inject anger and bigotry where they needn't be. As you apparently are. Tl ;dr? Good now you have time to research what I am talking about instead of wasting both of our time. Came here to answer OPs questions, not your unimaginative rebuttals.
PS: If you wanted to share wisdom maybe you shouldn't have come off like an asshole and projected on to me.
Do you mean "different" and not "more encompassing?"
Money is one of several factors. When you are broke, you can probably afford time to save money. However when you have an urgent situation, you may just have to say goodbye to $100. Social status and maintaining a relationship are also vectors. Learn to weigh your factors more quickly -- your marriage or friendship may depend on it. Hell is only for those that truly believe in it. You build your reality in your assumptions, but reality is bigger than you. If you think you're going to hell, then you are. If you would rather see a better world, start building the skills that would create it. Working with your hands also helps develop your intellect. I studied philosophy in college, but I also spent my college time doing desktop publishing, learning Unix, doing audio production on 2-track and 4-track reels, and schlepping stuff I found. I remember a lot about Tiresias and hylomorphism, but I can also mix down live. Neither is more valuable, especially in a world with transgender DJs. When I first got into a mosh pit, I fell and people stepped on my feet. It hurt. The show was still going, so I got back up. I hit the ground again. I got up slightly faster. Eventually I bought steel-toed boots and got used to getting hit. I liked being membrane, the edge of the pit: I could watch people lose their minds while keeping unsuspecting folks from getting sucked in. Eventually I became a sysadmin. Don't be afraid of machines, neighborhoods, weird food, or other people. Anything you assume you know but don't try is your failure. Learn to drive stick. Take one lesson, then buy a stick car. It's like learning to drive all over again. Then comes winter and you can simply stay in second gear all over the slush. You will know more about your car because you will shape the results of control. You will not fear the road or feel like a victim. You may get to hang out with a lot of people, but not all of them are your friends. Some won't even break bread with you -- you can literally offer them to pull bread from a fresh loaf and they won't touch it. If they won't eat with you, don't try to date them. Your parents may love you, but they won't always understand you. This is more than okay -- this is how you become independent. You never know how often you could get laid if you don't make a trial close. I learned this when I worked in sales: don't be afraid of 'no'. If the other person doesn't leave, then you can address objections and try again. If the other person leaves, LET 'EM LEAVE. Go do something different. However, getting laid won't always lead to a real relationship. It sounds obvious, but man can that take forever to sink in. Never eat a hot dog on a boat. I learned that on a whale cruise.
I seem to understand more every day, so I will give today's insight. By reflecting on past events where we made mistakes, we can better ingrain the desired course of action. Thus, by ruminating over bad habits, we can develop new habits more quickly. This is purely speculation on my part, and I have no studies outside of my own life to back this up.
One thing I know, but still struggle to remember and keep in mind, is that time is precious in a true sense. You can kill time, or you can spend it, like the valuable thing that it is. Spend it, and spend it wisely, when you can.
Good question. What I think I understand is particularly what you are asking about. Or more specifically: why you're asking it. There are indeed a vast amount of things to know. Some things are factual, objective, and scientific. And some are abstract, subjective, and emotional. Both types of things are great. The most important thing that I know is that everyone always has some of this knowledge to offer. Learning is as easy as asking the exact question that you're asking right now. I think I understand the importance of such a question. It's a beautiful question because you can ask any person and you'll almost certainly receive a different answer than the last time that you asked. So my question is, what do you understand about life, Formerly_Me?
Life is a series of causes and effects, and we're the ones tasked with the beautiful notion of wondering why.
Sometimes I like to think that life is a big chain of events where each condition in each moment is explicitly linked to the moment before, and thus the moment after. Each future moment relies on the one that came before, one that is so definite and exact that there can only be another definite, exact moment that follows. Sort of like there was (is?) a function right at the beginning of time that set up all of moments to come. And then sometimes I like to think I have a choice of what to think and how to act... but I'm not sure about that.
It's really interesting when you think about the beginning of the universe. How everything was so orderly in its chaos. And we're able to look back at it and describe it with math! From that chaos, though, came everything. Came you, came me, came the internet, came the neural pathways I'm using to control the muscle tissue in my fingers to type this! And I like to think that somehow we all maintain just a little bit of that chaos from the beginning of the universe. And because of that we can still determine our lives. That's what I like to think, at least.
Just playing devil's advocate, so please don't take this personally! Will it always be that way? Will we never find peace? If we all hooked up into a single computer and somebody turned it off, would we still be dying alone?
The "we" I used refers to a pluralized "I", the kind philosophers use when being meta and solipsistic. As for you, personally, it may well be possible you'll find peace, and you may find a technological singularity that means you'll die in a multitude of interconnected minds.