Posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 17, 2002, at 10:14:44
In reply to There is none » amy_oz, posted by Mr.Scott on September 16, 2002, at 23:50:52
> Sorry I cant be more uplifting.
This is an issue I've struggled with for a long time as well. I completely understand the author's viewpoint, in as much as there is indeed no objective point to life (a Sartre-esque "absurb joke"). Now, you can either dwell on that (and sink deeper into apathy) or refocus your attentions on the smaller realities of existance, like puffy clouds, running dogs, and Pop-Tarts. It's almost unfortunate that as human beings, we stand alone on the planet in realizing our mortality and ruminating on the nature of existance. For most people, no good comes of this. We're an evolutionary stone's throw from basic, reactionary animals, and not well equipped to deal with existential matters. 99% of the human experience has been simple: find food, reproduce, explore things, get along with other humans, etc. I imagine that we're most functional in that state. For that matter, I've often wondered if suicide rates are lower among peoples living in isolated, primitive conditions.
Anyway, the point is that if the nature of being is bothering you, you need to stop thinking about it. Train yourself to think more fundamentally about your enviroment, the people in it, and the things that give you pleasure. It's how most people live. For me, that has meant being more physically active (which forces you to think about what you're actively doing), talking to people more often (I've always been extremely shy), doing things I enjoy (listening to the new Flaming Lips album right now), and culturing compassion in general (doing what I can to alleviate the suffering of other people). Love for others helps a lot. We're all scared, lonely people people in a way, deep down, and we all need steady love and nurturing to get by. Loving others and being loved is the most obvious reason I can see for living.
poster:Eddie Sylvano
thread:119967
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020914/msgs/120115.html