The Meaning of Life

[Alek]

Honestly, I would like you to sit back for a minute and really think about this...

To you, what is the meaning/purpose of life...and then in particular YOUR life.

Stretching it a bit further, as it is equally important ...if you were to have a child, how would u like them to find meaning in life (and please do not say "what ever makes them happy" - yes that is a significant and quiet meaningful answer...but elaborate here!)

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On a very personal note here, i will explain to you what exactly is going through my head. I myself am trying to find the answer to this. On one hand, I feel the need to be someone of importance and recognition in life, and to be successful (but I hate the word "successful" because I find that it is very vague). But on the other hand, I really want to enjoy life, reaching that level of enlightenment - where your body and mind are in unisex with the universe. And right now, I feel that there is a widening gap between the two...in a sense they clash, and heres why:

Money. Something we so highly regard, yet it really does not exist. But at the same time, as of now, society is based off of it. Its something that is needed to make a lot of dreams reality, yet it seems so impractical. Personally, I have future projects which I want to set up, but it is at the expense of money. Now, I am trying to figure out how to go about supporting myself, and my dreams, while not falling into this so called system, because once you do, it is a downward spiral into the abyss.

The second question that I asked, right now, seems to hold much more importance to my conscious at this time. The reason as to why I asked it is because of my personal family ties. I am now reaching a point in my life, where I really just came to develop a strong grasp on myself, my life and my understanding of it. I really reached a point where I rediscovered my family ties, and made them a lot stronger, same goes with my identity. Before, both were weak - but as a child my ties where strong with my family, then it seemed to gradually fade more, as I became more isolated with myself.

As I grow older, I really understand the burden that money put on my family personally. I have 2 parents working their assess of just to support a household, and as a consequence, the time we spend together is diminished - and that is unacceptable. I seek success, because I do not want to be put under that burden, or others for that matter - yet every single person in this country is affected. And I suppose I seek recognition merely because I want to make a strong impact in life. And as I developed a strong grasp on my life, I am trying to do that, but I need to do more.

My family is split, with just my immediate family in america, and the rest is in europe..and i really feel bad for my mom, since that is her family over there. It seems to unnatural, because it is. I think family should always be around you, and be there to help you grow, not to oppress you, but nurture you. Just think, when your older, and your spouse dies...and your kids and family aren't there...who do you turn to ? I am an only child, so it puts a lot of pressure on me, and influences me to make something out of myself.

Which brings us back to the starting point. What do you plan to do with your life ?

Let this topic guide you, and encourage you. Post your thoughts and concerns, and lets all try to help each other out. Speak from the heart, because the first step is honesty, and you cannot be honest, unless you are fully honest with yourself.

[RMO]

nice hippy reflection on a forum dedicated to picking up chicks

Currently money is not based off anything, its a fiat currency, but when money is backed by something like gold, it is a representation of value, it is not the money that is the problem, it is the currently shitty system in place, money is the medium, not the problem.

I completely agree with everything else you put down, however I take it to a diffrent conclusion

I am not searching for the purpose, I am instilling purpose in my life. Not for family, or pussy, but for my own fulfillment.

[Alek]

yaa, i was sad when i wrote this, but i think all your emotions speak to you in a very important way. listen to them and learn

[slyman]

Money completely exists, and what do you mean by falling into the "system?" I agree with you that our society does regard material goods too much, but that is a side-affect that I am willing to take in a capitalist nation. Without a reward (money), nobody would ever do anything productive! If you work hard in school, you can easily get a good, high paying job, giving you the ability to fulfill your dreams. If you slack off and take your education for granted, you will not be rewarded. In this situation, it is usually the people who slacked off, wasted their time with drugs and other non-productive means who turn to saying that money is overrated and unneeded. Education is available everywhere - sure the quality of education differs from school to school significantly, but there is a wealth of knowledge if you look for it. This could be the internet, library, ect. MIT takes the stand that everyone, even people who can't afford an MIT education, should be able to receive it. Thus, they created the Open Library on their website - you have access to a plethora of MIT level classes online. Education gives you the ability to impress employers. If you work hard in your early years, you will get a great paying job, then later in life you can fulfill your own dreams with some financial stability. Maybe I'm biased because I come from a hard working, upper class family, but I truly believe that anybody could become anything they want, as long as they work harder than the guy whose both above him holding the position he wants or below him trying to outwork him to steal his position. Its an everyman for himself world we live in, so there is no space for slacking if you want to be succsesful and have the freedom to enjoy friends, family, dreams, pua, and everything you could imagine to live life to the fullest.

[RMO]

Slyman, you can quote the system quite perfectly

I do extraordinary in school, I learn quite a bit on my own, and this knowledge has led to a greater understanding. The system of being a sheep, of getting used in our current inefficient system is attributed less to pure capitalism and more so with power and control.

Pure capitalism is a great system, ayn rand objectivism and all that shit, but honeslty our current system is shit. There are so many many problems, and there are solutions, but saying work hard, work hard, work hard, that is not a solution.

No matter how fast you peddle, the plane that is not aerodynamic will nvr fly, no matter how fast we work, our society is doomed.

I am not one of hose people who bitch bitch about our problems without solutions. One solution that has been hypothesized is a progressive neotribalist movement is created to promote modern tribalism to fufill our desires, accept our animal nature, then a massive capitalist/ free expression movement ala the high frontier can create a system of constant growth and movement. Limits be damned, I say roll the dice, evolve.

Dont work hard for works sake, work effectively, find what needs to happen, and question everything.

also if you want to respond send me a message or something, I just realized that this thread is mutating from a life focus to political-sociological philosophy, kind of a side track.

[themachine]

Meaning of life, Be happy. So I wanted to get girls to be happy. I wanted money so I can be stress free and be happy so you get a job.

[slyman]

I see what you mean by the system. I personally don't see any problems with the system. A healthy balance of work and fun might not be the true meaning of life, but without the work and struggle, we could never see the fun and success.

[Alek]

Sly, that is complete bullshit. With out work and struggle, you could never see fun and success ? You sir, have been brainwashed into believing the system, and holding true to it.

Take a step back, and just imagine a world of constant party, and relaxation. And let me tell you, that is possible. Sure, steps would have to be taken to insure survival, but thats given. Ill let you in on a little secret, life is exactly that which you make of it, and it can be set up just so. The system that we live in now, was created that way. And just so, another one can be created. And wouldn't that be fun ?

As far as getting nothing done, look at some of the best accomplishments, and most of them were not done out of the basis of profit, but rather interest.

[sublime4life]

Capitalism is a failed system. Sly working hard does not mean you will be successful. Their are plenty of working class parents that work their ass off still have to decide between housing and food. Basic human needs should be rights not privileges. Alek, you seem to be preaching about utopia. It is not possible to live in a perfect world but you can come close to it. Read about Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War or the Paris Commune. People democratically controlled their own lives. It is very possible to live in a world where workers control the workplace, neighbors control neighborhoods, and citizens control government. Local collectives would be established. They can decide if they want to use money or another form of trade. If people did not work hard they would be punished by the collective. Decisions would be made by consensus. Rules would be agreed upon by all the people in the collective. Obviously this type of system would only work on a small scale. A federal government would probably still be necessary for international reasons but it would be much more libertarian than it is now. No its not perfect but its sure as hell a better system than we have now.

[RMO]

@sublime you are preaching unmitigated communism, i see that you state libertarian at the end, but i dont think you understand capitalism.

Capitalism is free market economics, which is necessary for libertarianism btw, it is not a failed system.

the correct word is consumerism, consumerism is a failed system.

Utopia is only possible if it takes into account human behavior, and large governments and religions are given no power over it. I understand governments that can be used to help manage but a government should be the servant of the people, not the other way around.

[slyman]

Alek

You sir, smoke too much weed. hmm...a constant party and relaxation? no thanks. parties are supposed to be looked forward to, not just accepted as a way of life. A great part of the party is hearing about it on thursday, going over and setting up if u/ur bros are hosting, or getting pumped w/ ur friends to go.

Without pain, you don't know pleasure.

Believe it or not, partying everyday would suck. It would become tiring and not fun anymore. It would turn into "the norm." The reason why you are saying all of these things and partying is awesome blah blah blah is because it is not the norm. you party at most 2 days a week. its still exciting.

and your last point is just retarded. "As far as getting nothing done, look at some of the best accomplishments, and most of them were not done out of the basis of profit, but rather interest." Yes, but said people actually did GET THINGS DONE. your not saying anything.

god im so sick of stoners. Prodigy is smart, has a different opinion than I do, as well as with sublime (his is pretty radical, but still well thought out), but you Alek need to stop smoking and get your ass in school. Or not, hopefully natural selection will take care of your type in the future.

[RMO]

I could respectfully follow your logic till the last point,

get your ass in school

Before you argue your point, i seriously suggest you research educational, economic, and political theory more in depth and figure out what exactly has been working for those on the top, top 1% of pop, and what the everyone else is doing.

[Alek]

excuse me, but i just lost all respect for you. plain and simple, you base your assumptions because of my avatar alone, and that goes to show how narrow minded and stupid you really are. So, I hope natural selection will take care of your type in the future.

[Alek]

@ sublime, what I was talking about was a dream, or vision. If you take a step back, it really isn't that "impossible". If you told a caveman, about the world in which we live in now...more then likely, it would be unbelievable. Point is, with time, things can change. They can change for the better, or they can change for the worst, but hopefully they will change for the better.

With the advancement of technology, minus consumerism, we have the technology available to pretty much live a life of self reliance, where everything is made widely available for everyone to access, and everything would be made using only the best technology. Intelligently designed machines would take over the workplace, eliminating most of the needs to work. That being said, money would cease to exist, and we would then turn into a resource based economy, instead. Most social problems would be fixed, and there would not be people starving to death, or murdering just for food. And with the advancement of technology, this is surly possible - yes it is a dramatic change, but with out change there is no growth.


Back @ slyman. I hope you realize, our emotions are a bi-product of evolution (and I do hope u believe in evolution..). We are far more advanced now, then we ever where, and we cannot keep up with it. Our emotions are many many years old, and many emotions do not hold sense in the world that we live in. We still run on primitive emotions, and with advancement...that does not have to exist.

[$wagg]

Prodigy you crack me up. Tooo much economic fluff that isn't necessarily true.

sublime, capitalism, failed system??hmmm....look up the adam smith model

Slyman, I actually 100% agree with everything you're saying.

Alek, you make good points but you're not being realistic enough. I've been dealing with the definition of self as well.

You want a good advice? Start writing. Keep a journal, where you keep all your philosophical ideas, self-questions, and thoughts. It helps because you usually end up answering them later without even thinking about it.

One of my greatest epiphanies is when I realized everything must be in moderation. Drink too much, and your grades fail, not too mention ya liver fails. Study too much, and your social life fails. Smoke too much, and you become slightly stoopid all the time.

I see it has we were on put on this Earth to learn. To report to the Big Man after death, or for the greater good, idk. But how are you to experience and see everything that is when you a constant life; one where you're always doing the same thing.

I swear to God, try this, you'll love it:
Do atleast 2 things you don't usually do every day. Something you have either never done before, or not in the past few weeks.

It can be anything. Different game style, clothing, being more serious as opposed to silly, starting conversations with strangers about sex positions, whatever!

Either way, learn and emote as much as you can. This is how experiences are made.

Being alpha is not just about displaying pre-selection, wealth, and bullshit etc..

It's about being you. And being comfortable with that.