The "General Games Chat" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
I originally began this post as a response to the 'Meaning of life' post in this forum, but i found myself flying off on so many tangents that i thought i'd better start a new topic. It's going to be one of those 'in-depth' posts i'm afraid.. but i'm happy if it all it does is give you something to read while you're eating your lunch... :o)
Giving something a name is like giving it a handle. It makes it very easy to pick up. Perhaps too easy.
This is something i've come to be reminded of again and again - In medicine for example. As soon as you label an illness, everyone thinks they have it. People don't come home from work 'cream-crackered' anymore... nowadays people come home from work with Hyper-Tension, Stress and all sorts of 'post-whatevers' and 'disorders'.
I think that the media plays a huge part in this (doesn't it always?). Instead of a situation where a person goes to a Doctor because they really have no idea what is wrong with them and wish to find out, you have a situation in which a person will read about an illness or see an item concerning it on TV, and then come to thinking "I think i have that". In effect, they are briefing themselves of the symptoms, and then slowly convincing themselves that they have the disease.
It's one of the things that bothers me most about our current state of evolution. Everyone is taught to need. In the 1940's quite the opposite message was sent out for obvious reasons. It was a case of 'Do what you can with what little you have'. Nowadays that little 'do' word seems redundant. The more 'advanced' we become the more there is to influence us. Technology advances... more media pops up... we 'do' less and less for ourselves, and 'need' more. I want I want I want.
'Death' shouldn't even have a word. As soon as it has a word, people start talking about it.. but the great thing is... no-one has a clue about what dying is actually like except those who have done it. Who, i feel i should point out.. are dead. The irony in that always amuses me - living people, who know nothing about death as yet (at least not from a subjective angle), spend their (or should i say 'our'...?) lives comparing 'Ooh ooh i got one! Me! Me! Me!' theories, when they may as well just wait 'n' see. That's my stance: Scratch 'n' sniff. Whilst it's understandable that humans are curious about all the in-tangables that keep us awake every other night, it is a pity really.
I mean, the very fact that I have written this is not going to wrench anyone's life around, but it doesn't matter. If it gave you something to laugh at with your coffee, then great. Good for you - that's probably the best reaction i could hope for. I mean, you enjoyed yourself, right?
That's what it's all about ladies and gentlemen. I mean there is a flipside to my above comments on the media, etc... if you are happy with it - great. Then you don't need to worry. There is no *one* generic goal for mankind. We are not all searching for 1 thing, which we must find in order for our lifes to have any meaning. The meaning is different for each person, and for some the meaning is that there is no meaning. As in - just do whatever you think you should as it comes along. Chances are if you set yourself one goal that you have to achieve, you may be dissapointed. In my opinion there is no 'meaning to life. Or if there has to be, it is just that - life. As in.. for gawd's sake just get on and do it!
Phewf... that's my philosophy quota for the year :o) Anyone else have anything to add...?
Giving something a name is like giving it a handle. It makes it very easy to pick up. Perhaps too easy.
This is something i've come to be reminded of again and again - In medicine for example. As soon as you label an illness, everyone thinks they have it. People don't come home from work 'cream-crackered' anymore... nowadays people come home from work with Hyper-Tension, Stress and all sorts of 'post-whatevers' and 'disorders'.
I think that the media plays a huge part in this (doesn't it always?). Instead of a situation where a person goes to a Doctor because they really have no idea what is wrong with them and wish to find out, you have a situation in which a person will read about an illness or see an item concerning it on TV, and then come to thinking "I think i have that". In effect, they are briefing themselves of the symptoms, and then slowly convincing themselves that they have the disease.
It's one of the things that bothers me most about our current state of evolution. Everyone is taught to need. In the 1940's quite the opposite message was sent out for obvious reasons. It was a case of 'Do what you can with what little you have'. Nowadays that little 'do' word seems redundant. The more 'advanced' we become the more there is to influence us. Technology advances... more media pops up... we 'do' less and less for ourselves, and 'need' more. I want I want I want.
'Death' shouldn't even have a word. As soon as it has a word, people start talking about it.. but the great thing is... no-one has a clue about what dying is actually like except those who have done it. Who, i feel i should point out.. are dead. The irony in that always amuses me - living people, who know nothing about death as yet (at least not from a subjective angle), spend their (or should i say 'our'...?) lives comparing 'Ooh ooh i got one! Me! Me! Me!' theories, when they may as well just wait 'n' see. That's my stance: Scratch 'n' sniff. Whilst it's understandable that humans are curious about all the in-tangables that keep us awake every other night, it is a pity really.
I mean, the very fact that I have written this is not going to wrench anyone's life around, but it doesn't matter. If it gave you something to laugh at with your coffee, then great. Good for you - that's probably the best reaction i could hope for. I mean, you enjoyed yourself, right?
That's what it's all about ladies and gentlemen. I mean there is a flipside to my above comments on the media, etc... if you are happy with it - great. Then you don't need to worry. There is no *one* generic goal for mankind. We are not all searching for 1 thing, which we must find in order for our lifes to have any meaning. The meaning is different for each person, and for some the meaning is that there is no meaning. As in - just do whatever you think you should as it comes along. Chances are if you set yourself one goal that you have to achieve, you may be dissapointed. In my opinion there is no 'meaning to life. Or if there has to be, it is just that - life. As in.. for gawd's sake just get on and do it!
Phewf... that's my philosophy quota for the year :o) Anyone else have anything to add...?
Page:
Thanks. I was just trying to point out that whatever matters to you... you can always convince yourself that it doesn't matter at all. That's the reason there is no right and wrong answer. I'm a good example of that.. i have sudden bursts of philosophy.. then at times think 'nah... sod it.. it's pointless'. Well that's it: It is and it isn't.
"I can and can not"
Devin Townsend - "Infinity" liner notes.
"I can and can not"
Devin Townsend - "Infinity" liner notes.
Thats pretty deep! I'm glad you didn't post this first thing on a monday morning!
It's good though.....
It's good though.....
I originally began this post as a response to the 'Meaning of life' post in this forum, but i found myself flying off on so many tangents that i thought i'd better start a new topic. It's going to be one of those 'in-depth' posts i'm afraid.. but i'm happy if it all it does is give you something to read while you're eating your lunch... :o)
Giving something a name is like giving it a handle. It makes it very easy to pick up. Perhaps too easy.
This is something i've come to be reminded of again and again - In medicine for example. As soon as you label an illness, everyone thinks they have it. People don't come home from work 'cream-crackered' anymore... nowadays people come home from work with Hyper-Tension, Stress and all sorts of 'post-whatevers' and 'disorders'.
I think that the media plays a huge part in this (doesn't it always?). Instead of a situation where a person goes to a Doctor because they really have no idea what is wrong with them and wish to find out, you have a situation in which a person will read about an illness or see an item concerning it on TV, and then come to thinking "I think i have that". In effect, they are briefing themselves of the symptoms, and then slowly convincing themselves that they have the disease.
It's one of the things that bothers me most about our current state of evolution. Everyone is taught to need. In the 1940's quite the opposite message was sent out for obvious reasons. It was a case of 'Do what you can with what little you have'. Nowadays that little 'do' word seems redundant. The more 'advanced' we become the more there is to influence us. Technology advances... more media pops up... we 'do' less and less for ourselves, and 'need' more. I want I want I want.
'Death' shouldn't even have a word. As soon as it has a word, people start talking about it.. but the great thing is... no-one has a clue about what dying is actually like except those who have done it. Who, i feel i should point out.. are dead. The irony in that always amuses me - living people, who know nothing about death as yet (at least not from a subjective angle), spend their (or should i say 'our'...?) lives comparing 'Ooh ooh i got one! Me! Me! Me!' theories, when they may as well just wait 'n' see. That's my stance: Scratch 'n' sniff. Whilst it's understandable that humans are curious about all the in-tangables that keep us awake every other night, it is a pity really.
I mean, the very fact that I have written this is not going to wrench anyone's life around, but it doesn't matter. If it gave you something to laugh at with your coffee, then great. Good for you - that's probably the best reaction i could hope for. I mean, you enjoyed yourself, right?
That's what it's all about ladies and gentlemen. I mean there is a flipside to my above comments on the media, etc... if you are happy with it - great. Then you don't need to worry. There is no *one* generic goal for mankind. We are not all searching for 1 thing, which we must find in order for our lifes to have any meaning. The meaning is different for each person, and for some the meaning is that there is no meaning. As in - just do whatever you think you should as it comes along. Chances are if you set yourself one goal that you have to achieve, you may be dissapointed. In my opinion there is no 'meaning to life. Or if there has to be, it is just that - life. As in.. for gawd's sake just get on and do it!
Phewf... that's my philosophy quota for the year :o) Anyone else have anything to add...?
Giving something a name is like giving it a handle. It makes it very easy to pick up. Perhaps too easy.
This is something i've come to be reminded of again and again - In medicine for example. As soon as you label an illness, everyone thinks they have it. People don't come home from work 'cream-crackered' anymore... nowadays people come home from work with Hyper-Tension, Stress and all sorts of 'post-whatevers' and 'disorders'.
I think that the media plays a huge part in this (doesn't it always?). Instead of a situation where a person goes to a Doctor because they really have no idea what is wrong with them and wish to find out, you have a situation in which a person will read about an illness or see an item concerning it on TV, and then come to thinking "I think i have that". In effect, they are briefing themselves of the symptoms, and then slowly convincing themselves that they have the disease.
It's one of the things that bothers me most about our current state of evolution. Everyone is taught to need. In the 1940's quite the opposite message was sent out for obvious reasons. It was a case of 'Do what you can with what little you have'. Nowadays that little 'do' word seems redundant. The more 'advanced' we become the more there is to influence us. Technology advances... more media pops up... we 'do' less and less for ourselves, and 'need' more. I want I want I want.
'Death' shouldn't even have a word. As soon as it has a word, people start talking about it.. but the great thing is... no-one has a clue about what dying is actually like except those who have done it. Who, i feel i should point out.. are dead. The irony in that always amuses me - living people, who know nothing about death as yet (at least not from a subjective angle), spend their (or should i say 'our'...?) lives comparing 'Ooh ooh i got one! Me! Me! Me!' theories, when they may as well just wait 'n' see. That's my stance: Scratch 'n' sniff. Whilst it's understandable that humans are curious about all the in-tangables that keep us awake every other night, it is a pity really.
I mean, the very fact that I have written this is not going to wrench anyone's life around, but it doesn't matter. If it gave you something to laugh at with your coffee, then great. Good for you - that's probably the best reaction i could hope for. I mean, you enjoyed yourself, right?
That's what it's all about ladies and gentlemen. I mean there is a flipside to my above comments on the media, etc... if you are happy with it - great. Then you don't need to worry. There is no *one* generic goal for mankind. We are not all searching for 1 thing, which we must find in order for our lifes to have any meaning. The meaning is different for each person, and for some the meaning is that there is no meaning. As in - just do whatever you think you should as it comes along. Chances are if you set yourself one goal that you have to achieve, you may be dissapointed. In my opinion there is no 'meaning to life. Or if there has to be, it is just that - life. As in.. for gawd's sake just get on and do it!
Phewf... that's my philosophy quota for the year :o) Anyone else have anything to add...?
Page: