Oh, and great post by the way. I enjoyed reading it. Makes me want to pursue my dream of a PhD in computational biology, because I would have fun and make a difference in the world. My life as it is makes no difference, and when I'm gone the only thing that will remain will be my smart ass comments on deans world..
Your life may seem to make no difference to you, but like any man, you see only what you see.
But if you are dis-satisfied with your accomplishments, and I think everybody should be, then remember that tomorrow is the day when your impossible are impossible to predict.
That is, what a man cannot do today, he may yet master tomorrow. A man only fails at success when he is determined to succeed at failing.
So get cracking young man, and work til it's done. There's no guarantee somebody else will do it for you, so it's on you. And that's just the way God made things. You're here to do what you're here to do. It's not an accident, it's an obligation.
My life as it is makes no difference, and when I'm gone the only thing that will remain will be my smart ass comments on deans world.
Crap.
Any and every interaction you have with the outside world and, especially, with fellow men makes an impact, either good or bad, but there is no neutral. You cannot always appreciate the magnitude of what you have done, but often, if you will think about it, you can determine the character. Most people are not willing to view their behavior in those terms; it would require one often to behave in ways different than he would naturally. Should I really have said that in front of my child? Should I really have shown my child that flick. Shouldn't i have said something to my child when he pointed at that stranger?
The list is infinite; most people, as Ron said, don't have the "stomach for it.
The notion that one needs somehow to be 'great' or notable to effect the world for good is a sickness. The sickness is most acute by those who will not have children. Because when you have one, you can never comfort complacency and laziness, claiming that you are insignificant.
"The notion that one needs somehow to be 'great' or notable to effect the world for good is a sickness."
I have to agree with that. I want to be content with my life, but it just isn't happening. Can't figure out what I really want either. That's my problem.
But what if the goal itself is the problem? Maybe my goal should be to enjoy life and be content. Tried that, it doesn't work for me. Basically I'm an atheist ('soft atheist' to be specific). There is but one life to live, so I should live it to its fullest. That's the easy part, the hard part is what determines 'fullest'?
I can understand why Hindus can be content, but it just doesn't work for me. Should an atheist believe in God in order to live a happier life? I believe prayer can be beneficial, just because of the design of the human mind. I've prayed before, to a god that I don't even believe in, and it made me feel better. Oh, the irony. Maybe I should make up my own definition of God, my own religion, and embrace it, since humans evolved into that type of thinking because that's what works best given the (brutal) environment we live in.
We'll have kids within a few years, I'm sure that'll change things. I'm sick of watching TV, so I'll be back in night school once I get the right job. I might pursue the PhD just for fun, and be an amature in the field. My computer background would still make me valuable. Who knows...
I'm saving that post as a .PDF file, like so many others from this site.
Thanks. I agree: "The notion that one needs somehow to be 'great' or notable to effect the world for good is a sickness." Sometimes, ironically, those who have the power to make the most difference, are the most frustrated -- and the most destructive, as a result, and frequently of self -- for missing this, no?
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
signal -> simple...???
I don't believe that's true for anybody.
not a typo, i don't think. Ron is using it in the sense of "notably out of the ordinary."
Ron,
great post, though I think I take a slightly brighter view of humanity (and perhaps a dimmer view of the gnawing) than you do!
Ooh, I had one of those.
I gotta agree with Mike.
Your life may seem to make no difference to you, but like any man, you see only what you see.
But if you are dis-satisfied with your accomplishments, and I think everybody should be, then remember that tomorrow is the day when your impossible are impossible to predict.
That is, what a man cannot do today, he may yet master tomorrow. A man only fails at success when he is determined to succeed at failing.
So get cracking young man, and work til it's done. There's no guarantee somebody else will do it for you, so it's on you. And that's just the way God made things. You're here to do what you're here to do. It's not an accident, it's an obligation.
Crap.
Any and every interaction you have with the outside world and, especially, with fellow men makes an impact, either good or bad, but there is no neutral. You cannot always appreciate the magnitude of what you have done, but often, if you will think about it, you can determine the character. Most people are not willing to view their behavior in those terms; it would require one often to behave in ways different than he would naturally. Should I really have said that in front of my child? Should I really have shown my child that flick. Shouldn't i have said something to my child when he pointed at that stranger?
The list is infinite; most people, as Ron said, don't have the "stomach for it.
The notion that one needs somehow to be 'great' or notable to effect the world for good is a sickness. The sickness is most acute by those who will not have children. Because when you have one, you can never comfort complacency and laziness, claiming that you are insignificant.
Great post, Ron.
Ron,
Great post. Makes me wonder what inspired it...
Oh, and, um: Ouch!
I have to agree with that. I want to be content with my life, but it just isn't happening. Can't figure out what I really want either. That's my problem.
But what if the goal itself is the problem? Maybe my goal should be to enjoy life and be content. Tried that, it doesn't work for me. Basically I'm an atheist ('soft atheist' to be specific). There is but one life to live, so I should live it to its fullest. That's the easy part, the hard part is what determines 'fullest'?
I can understand why Hindus can be content, but it just doesn't work for me. Should an atheist believe in God in order to live a happier life? I believe prayer can be beneficial, just because of the design of the human mind. I've prayed before, to a god that I don't even believe in, and it made me feel better. Oh, the irony. Maybe I should make up my own definition of God, my own religion, and embrace it, since humans evolved into that type of thinking because that's what works best given the (brutal) environment we live in.
We'll have kids within a few years, I'm sure that'll change things. I'm sick of watching TV, so I'll be back in night school once I get the right job. I might pursue the PhD just for fun, and be an amature in the field. My computer background would still make me valuable. Who knows...
I'm saving that post as a .PDF file, like so many others from this site.
Damnit, you're making me hungry again...
If you think your life makes no difference, CAJosh, just skip a car payment. ;^D
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.