Your idea about life?

What do you think the general idea about life is?

"Life isn't about doing what you want to do. That's what the afterlife is for."

I'm not sure what you are trying to ask?

What's a general statement about life you agree with?

edited 31st May '13 6:21:31 PM by PancticeSquadCutterback

Life is life. Its one of those things you cant define without itself, like vowels.

It is a cereal.

No meaning save what we choose to impose.

It sucks, and then we die.

42

It's a board game.

Hmm, probably not.

Joke's on you when there turns out to be no afterlife.

I'm kidding. Sort of. If I believe in an afterlife, I believe it's fundamentally different than this life and not just an extension of it.

But seriously, I really hate that point of view. Get a job you hate, have kids and be miserable, because you're not supposed to be happy in life. That's not rationality talking.

My idea about life is that you have to either find a meaning and purpose in it or quit. And when suicide is not an option for whatever reason (too afraid, might go to Hell, family will be sad), you really have no choice but to try and make something decent out of life.

"Living no matter how, but living!"

The optimist in me says life is what you want it to be, while the ever present cynic knows that just isn't true for a lot of the population.

Life is never what you want it to be... But it can still be pretty good.

I wanted to be a filthy rich entrepreneur, surrounded by a harem of attractive man-slaves, but that hasn't happened yet.

I'd settle for an E key that fucking works properly, though. It's like, sticking or something.

See, this is why I don't actually listen to my optimistic side.

Sure, that usually means I'll say something truly depressing or dark with a huge smile on my face like it's nothing, but at least the cynic in me seems to follow logic rather than having his head in the damn clouds...

I'm not going to lie, I'd love it if a bombshell of a woman landed on my lap right now but that shit ain't happening period.

Making do with what you have and what you are capable of seems to be a more grounded view of how life should be, or how you should focus on life. To me anyway.

Cynicism can be just as illogical as blind optimism, e.g. the people who seem to choose misery, simply because "life isn't about getting what you want". That's mistaking pessimism for logic.

Most people these days don't know how to take care of themselves. I'm not talking about having a job so you can buy food at the grocery store... I mean living like a hunter-gatherer. In many ways, early human tribes had more of a clue than we do now. People accept an oppressive system because it's comfortable, and then they become dependent. We don't need to kill our own food if we can buy it; but in the process, we lose valuable survival skills.

I would argue that life IS about getting what you want—in fact, why would it be about anything else?—but society prevents it and people grow up thinking that's just how it's supposed to be.

edited 1st Jun '13 3:38:23 AM by Alma

I have the soul of a Manic Pixie Dream Girl in a pessimistic-depressive mind... Basically, The Eeyore meets The Pollyanna (Yes, I am aware these tropes are polar opposites. Does that really surprise you anymore?).

So, hey, let's have our fun while we can. Do what you want 'cause a pirate is free, and you'll end up hanged like one, anyway. Do whatever you feel like, as long as you know of the potential consequences and are willing to accept them. Don't live like a machine or a complete moron - Just live.

edited 1st Jun '13 3:52:27 AM by DhanaRagnarok

Apathy is general easier for most people, especially those that have never tried to think positive in the first place. That's usually the major distinction I see for most cynics VS pessimists. The pessimists are apathetic in nature while cynics will do something, but probably ground it in negatively confined logic.

But you're totally right. Maybe it's because I am very cynical, but I find many other cynics to be insufferable. I'd consider myself a lower wrung cynic in any case. But I became rather jaded very early in life, so I guess it balances out.

And 'assured' comfort is a very dangerous thing indeed. Being bred to think living your life in a specific way, the way society deems correct, while bring you adequate happiness and prosperity isn't healthy. Sadly, it's the norm.

What's worse is that to change society to make it more open requires those already 'programmed' to this way have to make the changes. Which is unlikely at best. That said, stranger things have happened.

Talking about this has made me realise how limited my future desires are, but at the same time, I'm pretty satisfied with them. They fit with my aim of helping people at least, even if all I can really do is computer related tasks.

YARR, HARR, FIDDLE DEE DEE!

I'd sort of rank myself similar. At least in agreeing that you really should try and make your life enjoyable, preferably not at the cost of others. And, if possible, try and give someone a helping hand if you can. Even if it's something really simple.

edited 1st Jun '13 3:52:39 AM by TopographicOcean

Only stupid pirates get caught!

Of course helping others along the way is essential - actually, that's probably one of the most effective way to be satisfied with your life: knowing that what you did matter. Even if it's only to a hobo who doesn't speak any language known to humanity.

Also, there's an issue in the very vision people now have of life. They want to be happy, all the time. It isn't physically possible. Happiness is defined by its instantaneousness. It is a fleeting feeling. You will be miserable if that's what you aim for.

Happiness is the byproduct of doing things you like. It is not something that can be sought and obtained in itself.

Which is why, like Dhana touched upon, many people end up unsatisfied.

Hell, the concept of happiness as a pursuit is a very new thing. I think I read that in a Cracked article though.

Yes, but the objective shouldn't be happiness itself. Happiness is a byproduct that you'll experience for only a few instants. Satisfaction would be a better objective.

Exactly.

edited 1st Jun '13 4:18:35 AM by DhanaRagnarok

My life so far? Get into school, graduate school, get into college and hope somewhere along you find out what you want to be.