Atheism was a thrilling revelation, but the better part of a decade has passed and my mind is bored of the subject. I've so thoroughly written off religion as bogus that my own conversation on the subject feels labored. I have such an aversion to cliches that my being one (a pretentious atheist) is preventing me from rediscovery the riveting feel of it.
My initial reaction to the truth was to embrace all things naughty and revel in my own self-destruction (obviously you are gritting your teeth in the agony of someone attempting to use the term "self-destruction" without being ironic, but I know you all can relate to the desire to take advantage of your fleeting life as a response to your awareness). Now, in my twenties, I'm all of a sudden concerned with the negative health affects of this and that, when just a few years ago I wasn't even concerned with death. I don't take risks anymore because I don't want to be inconvenienced by their repercussions – unusual behavior for someone truly convinced of their impending death's permanence.
Has anyone else lost touch with the terrifying joy of understanding your place in a universe free of meaning? Have the irritating teenage youtubers documenting their apostasies distracted you from the weight of the realization you share with them?
Welcome!
Though no, your post doesn't make that much sense to me...
...What?
Quote from: original_gender on May 12, 2011, 05:46:52 AMI have such an aversion to cliches that my being one (a pretentious atheist) is preventing me from rediscovery the riveting feel of it.
I never had no riveting feeling, probably because I was never a believer. If it means that much to you, try becoming a Morman for a few years, and then ditch it. In this way you may briefly rediscover that elusive "riveting" feeling.
QuoteMy initial reaction to the truth was to embrace all things naughty and revel in my own self-destruction (obviously you are gritting your teeth in the agony of someone attempting to use the term "self-destruction" without being ironic, but I know you all can relate to the desire to take advantage of your fleeting life as a response to your awareness). Now, in my twenties, I'm all of a sudden concerned with the negative health affects of this and that, when just a few years ago I wasn't even concerned with death. I don't take risks anymore because I don't want to be inconvenienced by their repercussions – unusual behavior for someone truly convinced of their impending death's permanence.
I don't see why it is unusual to take some care with the only life you're ever likely to have. This recklessness probably has more to do with youth than non belief. Risk taking could occur as a reaction to fear.
QuoteI don't take risks anymore because I don't want to be inconvenienced by their repercussions – unusual behavior for someone truly convinced of their impending death's permanence.
Why go from one extreme to the other? You could end up crippled by going for swim, but weighing the risks and rewards, swimming is worthwhile with a bit of care.
QuoteHas anyone else lost touch with the terrifying joy of understanding your place in a universe free of meaning? Have the irritating teenage youtubers documenting their apostasies distracted you from the weight of the realization you share with them?
This sounds a bit like a partially recalled drug induced revelation. My understanding of my place in the universe is a simpler small scale thing.
Any way welcome to HAF original_g.
Would this be called a mid mid life crisis or a quarter life crisis?
Quote from: Stevil on May 12, 2011, 10:32:29 AM
Would this be called a mid mid life crisis or a quarter life crisis?
Lol <3
I don't think becoming an atheist has made me become more reckless.. just not worry so much about doing 'bad stuff'. As I mentioned in my own 'introduction' post, I was manipulated into the whole church thing at a vulnerable time in my life by someone close to me and I used to always be terrified by 'God' watching, to the point that I became rather paranoid - I even felt uncomfortable getting undressed in my own room.
I haven't abused my revelation as an atheist to wreck my life - but I do do things I wouldn't have done if I believed God was watching me and I do live as if I will never live again. I take advantage of every opportunity (to the point that I'm always stupidly busy), and I no longer approach life with the attitude that my career is everything (achieving highly was very much propagated in the church and everyone there did 'favours' for others, and practically everyone worked in the same company due to these 'favours' - like a mini mafia) - instead I make sure that I'm always doing what I want to do and something that I enjoy. Ofcourse I do work when I have to, but I don't let it be the be all and end all.
I think your risk-taking behavior was a natural consequence of youth. I took a great many risks and participated in a great many things I felt were "sinful" when I was a Christian youth. Studies are ongoing about the structure of the brain and its impacts on the different phases in life using MRI technology. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328112127.htm (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328112127.htm)
Hello everyone, and thank you for your responses.
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on May 12, 2011, 07:40:25 AM
Quote from: original_gender on May 12, 2011, 05:46:52 AMI have such an aversion to cliches that my being one (a pretentious atheist) is preventing me from rediscovery the riveting feel of it.
I never had no riveting feeling, probably because I was never a believer. If it means that much to you, try becoming a Morman for a few years, and then ditch it. In this way you may briefly rediscover that elusive "riveting" feeling.
I think I might have been a little unclear. The "riveting" feeling I was describing wasn't a result of Christianity but the lack of it. I was so excited to be living free in an inconsequential universe. I just feel like I've begun taking my lack of belief for granted. I'm looking for solutions that other people in similar mental ruts have employed.
Quote from: Stevil on May 12, 2011, 10:32:29 AM
Would this be called a mid mid life crisis or a quarter life crisis?
Quarter life, hopefully.
Quote from: Illbethewriter on May 12, 2011, 11:06:52 AM
I no longer approach life with the attitude that my career is everything (achieving highly was very much propagated in the church [...]
That's another great topic: The non-religious repercussions of childhood indoctrination.
your OP is hard to follow because you aren't speaking in a straight forward manner.
But you seem to be equating atheism with nihilism...the two can be friends but they aren't married. Most of us are not nihilists.
Quote from: Illbethewriter link=topic=7453.msg 113183#msg 113183 date=1305194812
Quote from: Steve on May 12, 2011, 10:32:29 AM
Would this be called a mid mid life crisis or a quarter life crisis?
Lol <3
I don't think becoming an atheist has made me become more reckless.. just not worry so much about doing 'bad stuff'. As I mentioned in my own 'introduction' post, I was manipulated into the whole church thing at a vulnerable time in my life by someone close to me and I used to always be terrified by 'God' watching, to the point that I became rather paranoid - I even felt uncomfortable getting undressed in my own room.
I haven't abused my revelation as an atheist to wreck my life - but I do do things I wouldn't have done if I believed God was watching me and I do live as if I will never live again. I take advantage of every opportunity (to the point that I'm always stupidly busy), and I no longer approach life with the attitude that my career is everything (achieving highly was very much propagated in the church and everyone there did 'favours' for others, and practically everyone worked in the same company due to these 'favours' - like a mini mafia) - instead I make sure that I'm always doing what I want to do and something that I enjoy. Ofcourse I do work when I have to, but I don't let it be the be all and end all.
I always thought that was odd: sincere believers don't really act as if there was an independent being watching their every move.
Quote from: Whitney on May 12, 2011, 03:35:25 PM
your OP is hard to follow because you aren't speaking in a straight forward manner.
Yeah, I have this awful habit of using several paragraphs to communicate a sentence worth of content – unfortunately the habit is not exclusive to the internet :-\
I'm not just a verbose troll though, I really was hoping someone would relate to my sentiments.
Quote from: Whitney on May 12, 2011, 03:35:25 PM
But you seem to be equating atheism with nihilism...the two can be friends but they aren't married. Most of us are not nihilists.
That accusation may hold some real weight; I may be making the mistake of assuming nihilism is the logical conclusion of atheism, but I don't know enough about nihilism to know for sure. I am capable of empathy, does that rule me out as a nihilist?
Quote from: original_gender on May 12, 2011, 04:57:05 PM
I am capable of empathy, does that rule me out as a nihilist?
It might depend on which nihilist you ask...there is more than one type of nihilism ranging from objective meaning doesn't exist all the way to true knowledge being impossible. So, yes you could have feelings of empathy and be a nihilist; all humans experience empathy unless something is wrong with them...if you didn't have empathy I'd use a entirely different word to describe the resulting mental condition ;)
It seems the most common form of nihilism among non-philosophers is when someone decides that there is no objective meaning and then somehow jump to therefore they should do whatever they want (not saying this form follows from a fully thought out logical study).
@original_gender: I like to describe myself as a nihilist, so perhaps I can help you out with a few things. First, nihilism says nothing about your ability to empathise. Second, while I think it does pretty much equate to 'doing whatever you want,' as whitney put it, that doesn't mean we're incapable of foresight, or that everything is suddenly focussed on the immediate and sensory. I might find the idea of a cocaine high quite appealing, but I still recognise the long term effects of addiction as something that I don't want.
I also think that people's squeamishness about moral nihilism - the destructive, punk image that it generally gets lumped with - stems from the basically Christian idea that human beings are innately 'evil'. That our nature is fundamentally masochistic, and we desire only to cause harm to ourselves and to other people. And that, therefore, we need an external moral codex in order to restrain all of that internal nastiness. I think this idea is paradoxical and absurd, since the belief that we would need such a thing in itself has to be internal, and demonstrates a nature more sophisticated than mere destruction. I want the people around me to be happy, generally, and so I endeavour to make it so. I don't need that to mean anything. I don't need the authority of some moral philosophy, either theistic or atheistic, to come along and validate that for me. I simply prefer the company of happy people, ones who like and respect me, to that of miserable people who don't.
Here's a good little article on nihilism that you might be interested in: http://www.anus.com/zine/articles/prozak/nihilism/ (http://www.anus.com/zine/articles/prozak/nihilism/)
Quote from: Melmoth on May 12, 2011, 06:40:47 PM
I might find the idea of a cocaine high quite appealing, but I still recognise the long term effects of addiction as something that I don't want.
Fortunately you have to consort with violent undesirables to acquire the stuff, and bad company is just the pits.
Quote from: Melmoth on May 12, 2011, 06:40:47 PM
I think this idea is paradoxical and absurd, since the belief that we would need such a thing in itself has to be internal [...]
What a clean way to debunk such a popular delusion. Although instead of a sophisticated nature, I think it is our tribal nature that makes us feel inclined to maintain civility.
But my question is, do you ever have a difficult time holding onto the hugeness of it? I mean everyone on this forum probably understands that within a comparatively nonexistent length of time our entire civilization will be extinct, that when you die it will be as if you were never born, and yet I find myself worrying more about whether I left a napkin in one of my pockets while I'm doing the wash, or whether I accidentally came off as sarcastic when I was trying to fake enthusiasm during small talk with people I don't want to insult. How is it that we are all just living normal lives? I don't understand how we are capable of even prying our eyes from the big picture, yet as of late I hardly ever even glance at it.
Quote from: original_gender on May 13, 2011, 05:02:05 AM
But my question is, do you ever have a difficult time holding onto the hugeness of it? I mean everyone on this forum probably understands that within a comparatively nonexistent length of time our entire civilization will be extinct, that when you die it will be as if you were never born, and yet I find myself worrying more about whether I left a napkin in one of my pockets while I'm doing the wash, or whether I accidentally came off as sarcastic when I was trying to fake enthusiasm during small talk with people I don't want to insult. How is it that we are all just living normal lives? I don't understand how we are capable of even prying our eyes from the big picture, yet as of late I hardly ever even glance at it.
I doubt anyone comes even close to understanding the hugeness of it, the numbers are just to big. But eternity isn't the main game anyway, it makes more sense to care about tissues in your pocket and people. Eighty years may not seem like much compared to eight billion, but it seems a long time to me. Some people get a lot done in eighty years. If you had a billion jelly beans you'd have to eat 34,246 a day to get them all eaten in your allotted eighty years. But it's best you don't think too much about this, not if it's going to diminish your enjoyment of jelly beans.
QuoteFortunately you have to consort with violent undesirables to acquire the stuff, and bad company is just the pits.
QuoteBut my question is, do you ever have a difficult time holding onto the hugeness of it? I mean everyone on this forum probably understands that within a comparatively nonexistent length of time our entire civilization will be extinct, that when you die it will be as if you were never born, and yet I find myself worrying more about whether I left a napkin in one of my pockets while I'm doing the wash, or whether I accidentally came off as sarcastic when I was trying to fake enthusiasm during small talk with people I don't want to insult. How is it that we are all just living normal lives? I don't understand how we are capable of even prying our eyes from the big picture, yet as of late I hardly ever even glance at it.
Weird, isn't it. We live in a world where someone can sell class A drugs to fourteen year olds, break the legs of people who owe them money, commit rape, arson and murder on a regular basis, either directly or indirectly... yet still worry about the phone bill, or whether they've left the oven on at home, or whether they've unintentionally insulted a complete stranger in a pub, or what haircut would suit them, or how badly they need a piss, or what kind of TV package to get, or the strange lump growing on their foot, or the pain in their tooth, or what present they should buy for their mother, or whether their computer has a virus, or what they've done with their keys. With that in mind, I don't know what you expect
armchair philosophy to do for you. Welcome to being human! That is to say, welcome to being banal.
Quote from: Melmoth on May 13, 2011, 06:57:12 AM
I don't know what you expect armchair philosophy to do for you. Welcome to being human! That is to say, welcome to being banal.
Mmm, I can't help but think that your italicizing "armchair philosophy" indicates that you have a low opinion of it. You mentioned that you subscribed to nihilism – does nihilism not fit beneath the umbrella of armchair philosophy (this is not a rhetorical question, I'm genuinely curious)?
Quote from: original_gender on May 13, 2011, 03:36:03 PM
Quote from: Melmoth on May 13, 2011, 06:57:12 AM
I don't know what you expect armchair philosophy to do for you. Welcome to being human! That is to say, welcome to being banal.
Mmm, I can't help but think that your italicizing "armchair philosophy" indicates that you have a low opinion of it. You mentioned that you subscribed to nihilism – does nihilism not fit beneath the umbrella of armchair philosophy (this is not a rhetorical question, I'm genuinely curious)?
armchair philosophy is when someone who hasn't formally studied philosophy in depth explores a few philosophical ideas.
Quote from: Whitney on May 13, 2011, 04:39:46 PM
armchair philosophy is when someone who hasn't formally studied philosophy in depth explores a few philosophical ideas.
Oh, well that makes me feel a little stupid. I thought the term was coined for my benefit. Eek, ignore my last question Melmoth. Yeah, I have a high-school diploma (that is the extent of my formal education), so that term describes me very well. I have to admit though, a discussion board called Laid Back Lounge does seem like a good place for armchairs.
@Original_gender: what Whitney said. I'd call a lot of philosophy 'armchair', even among the formally educated, since it doesn't always culminate in any action. There's plenty to think about but not a lot you can actually do, except sit around in armchairs talking.
And I don't have a low opinion of this at all, by the way. You misunderstood me drastically there. I think a bit of armchair philosophising is very important for the brain, and that people who are able to do it, formally educated or not, are one in a dozen. Call me pessimistic, but I don't think most people are capable of wrapping their heads around anything more complex than a shopping list.
All I'm saying is, it's not going to make you transcend the banality of being a person somehow. You seem to want to embody the profundity of nature itself in your every waking thought, but you and I can no more do that than a pair of slugs who have no understanding at all. You could be walking through your living room, thinking about the hugeness of it all, but when you stub your toe on the coffee table it's always going to bring you crashing back down to Earth. You're just a big ape, ultimately.
And yes, to satisfy your curiosity, I would include my own nihilism under the umbrella of 'armchair philosophy'.
Quote from: original_genderI have to admit though, a discussion board called Laid Back Lounge does seem like a good place for armchairs.
Well said!
I prescribe not fewer than quarterly trips to places like the ocean, planetariums, pretty parks etc in order to kick your brain into awe mode again.
Quote from: Whitney on May 14, 2011, 03:03:24 AM
I prescribe not fewer than quarterly trips to places like the ocean, planetariums, pretty parks etc in order to kick your brain into awe mode again.
Watch "Cosmos".
Quote from: original_gender on May 13, 2011, 06:45:21 PM
Quote from: Whitney on May 13, 2011, 04:39:46 PM
armchair philosophy is when someone who hasn't formally studied philosophy in depth explores a few philosophical ideas.
Oh, well that makes me feel a little stupid. I thought the term was coined for my benefit. Eek, ignore my last question Melmoth. Yeah, I have a high-school diploma (that is the extent of my formal education), so that term describes me very well. I have to admit though, a discussion board called Laid Back Lounge does seem like a good place for armchairs.
Why does it make you feel stupid? I know people with years of formal education and are complete morons. Awe is certainly not something that's born in a classroom...well very rarely.
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 14, 2011, 08:21:19 AM
Quote from: original_gender on May 13, 2011, 06:45:21 PM
Quote from: Whitney on May 13, 2011, 04:39:46 PM
armchair philosophy is when someone who hasn't formally studied philosophy in depth explores a few philosophical ideas.
Oh, well that makes me feel a little stupid. I thought the term was coined for my benefit. Eek, ignore my last question Melmoth. Yeah, I have a high-school diploma (that is the extent of my formal education), so that term describes me very well. I have to admit though, a discussion board called Laid Back Lounge does seem like a good place for armchairs.
Why does it make you feel stupid? I know people with years of formal education and are complete morons. Awe is certainly not something that's born in a classroom...well very rarely.
And yet the classroom is the place that should inspire!! Sad that it's become a place where kids are processed to squeeze as much originality out of them as possible.
David Hume has been the subject of a few episodes of the Philosophers' zone lately.
There are pod casts available, you can listen to them in your arm chair.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/
Quote from: Tank on May 14, 2011, 09:18:07 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 14, 2011, 08:21:19 AM
Quote from: original_gender on May 13, 2011, 06:45:21 PM
Quote from: Whitney on May 13, 2011, 04:39:46 PM
armchair philosophy is when someone who hasn't formally studied philosophy in depth explores a few philosophical ideas.
Oh, well that makes me feel a little stupid. I thought the term was coined for my benefit. Eek, ignore my last question Melmoth. Yeah, I have a high-school diploma (that is the extent of my formal education), so that term describes me very well. I have to admit though, a discussion board called Laid Back Lounge does seem like a good place for armchairs.
Why does it make you feel stupid? I know people with years of formal education and are complete morons. Awe is certainly not something that's born in a classroom...well very rarely.
And yet the classroom is the place that should inspire!! Sad that it's become a place where kids are processed to squeeze as much originality out of them as possible.
Was it always so?
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 14, 2011, 01:19:35 PM
Was it always so?
No it wasn't, the past was a golden age where all children were gently guided to reach their full potential.
All those coloured canes hanging on the wall were there to keep windows open when sash cords failed.
Seriously, I don't get the impression my two children have been stifled and my education was OK but not idyllic.
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on May 14, 2011, 03:25:20 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx link=topic=7453.msg 113482#msg 113482 date=1305375575
Was it always so?
No it wasn't, the past was a golden age where all children were gently guided to reach their full potential.
All those coloured canes hanging on the wall were there to keep windows open when sash cords failed.
Seriously, I don't get the impression my two children have been stifled and my education was OK but not idyllic.
I try not to get too unrealistically idyllic, I was just wondering if it was better then, in the vaguest sense I guess.
Maybe it was not as less practical as it can be today, one thing that's changed is we're living in the post internet era whereas education doesn't look like it's evolved that much to accompany it. Just look at all those creationists out there...
Where you had more or less guided sheep before, you have less guided sheep today, who can't even begin to differentiate between what's crap and what isn't.
Quote from: Whitney on May 14, 2011, 03:03:24 AM
I prescribe not fewer than quarterly trips to places like the ocean, planetariums, pretty parks etc in order to kick your brain into awe mode again.
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 14, 2011, 08:19:03 AM
Watch "Cosmos".
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on May 14, 2011, 09:56:26 AM
David Hume has been the subject of a few episodes of the Philosophers' zone lately.
There are pod casts available, you can listen to them in your arm chair.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/
These are all welcome suggestions and fortunately, I have the next two days off.
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 14, 2011, 08:21:19 AM
Why does it make you feel stupid? I know people with years of formal education and are complete morons. Awe is certainly not something that's born in a classroom...well very rarely.
Because my reply made it obvious that I mistook a dismissive comment for a conversational segue, exposing me as a philosophical newbie, lol.
I guesse for me once I doned the robe of non beleif, I still did not feel as though I live in a world without consequence. All of our actions have dirrect personal consequences, good and bad. Even animals without higher cognitive fuction understand the need to work together somewhat and that thier actions have consequences. Even scavangers like Heyena's use secrative methods to get there food because they realize if they just didn't care the lions would eat their faces off. Honestly I am not entirely sure where I was going with this only that we can not shed our humanity in loue of self sastifaction because then al we are is a virus, or parasite take your pick.
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 14, 2011, 08:21:19 AM
I know people with years of formal education and are complete morons.
That's why it took them years, they had to take the same classes for a few years before they were able to pass.
At least they were persistent.
Quote from: thedport on May 14, 2011, 08:56:53 PM
I guesse for me once I doned the robe of non beleif, I still did not feel as though I live in a world without consequence. All of our actions have dirrect personal consequences, good and bad. Even animals without higher cognitive fuction understand the need to work together somewhat and that thier actions have consequences. Even scavangers like Heyena's use secrative methods to get there food because they realize if they just didn't care the lions would eat their faces off. Honestly I am not entirely sure where I was going with this only that we can not shed our humanity in loue of self sastifaction because then al we are is a virus, or parasite take your pick.
While I completely agree that the majority of things we do usually elicit some kind of consequence, the joy of being in the know is being able to remind ourselves, when faced with life's comparatively innocuous complications, that the sun is eventually going to explode and everything we have ever concerned ourselves with will be reorganized on a molecular level.
It's not that I feel inclined to harm other people (I couldn't bring myself to tip below 20 even if a waiter were to spill scalding hot coffee on my lap), and I'm pretty well bored of drugs also – vice in general isn't really what I'm aspiring to. I'm talking about the exciting nonchalance we are capable of when reminding ourselves that, for all practical purposes, we are the mold growing in the universe's neglected coffee filter (and I don't just mean running some iteration of this cheesy metaphor through your head; I'm talking about rattling your mind with the truth of it). I'm sure you can relate to some extent.
From the handful of constructive responses I've received, it seems like most of us are only capable of feeling this occasionally because we are all doomed to stub our toe on Melmoth's coffee table. However, there might be some hope in increasing the feeling's frequency through quality reading and awe inspiring field trips (basically, I need to stop getting drunk with my cat, retire the Chet Baker, and go to the zoo ;D).
Quote from: Stevil on May 14, 2011, 10:17:22 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 14, 2011, 08:21:19 AM
I know people with years of formal education and are complete morons.
That's why it took them years, they had to take the same classes for a few years before they were able to pass.
At least they were persistent.
I think the situation you described would make this example look better, but they've had many years of formal education going on to post graduate school and are now teaching others at university. That makes it worse, because expectations are much higher (or am I being a fool here?). Okay, so their knowledge is a bit more restricted to their fields but you would expect people who are much older and have spent many years in school to know better and be smarter. That's just the thing, all their years have not made them as smart as they think they are, but they're just as prone to bleating and baaaing like sheep.
Yeah, the year I spent in a university here in Southern Brazil has really eroded previous preconceptions I had. ::)
I never had a thrill when I officially declared myself an Agnostic. To be honest, all that fear based faith of Christianity was making me loose slepp and wondering if I had made the right choice, if I should just go back. But after joining here, and doing more research, I got rid of most of that fear.
Then I suppose I had a bit of thrill in pointing out obvious flaws in others beleif systems. But I don't think I'll stop enjoying that.
QuoteI'm talking about the exciting nonchalance we are capable of when reminding ourselves that, for all practical purposes, we are the mold growing in the universe's neglected coffee filter (and I don't just mean running some iteration of this cheesy metaphor through your head; I'm talking about rattling your mind with the truth of it). I'm sure you can relate to some extent.
What exactly do you mean by this? As in being free from structured ideologies and others mindlessly accept and follow?
Personally you get used to feelings and realizations that inspire those feelings of awe that you're looking for. If you're not finding it you have to look somewhere else.
First, you can see that even though you're an accident and product of of nature, you're a significant accident. You exist and the universe which makes you look so insignificant in scale exists. That leads to almost anything, I think.
I'm just curious: what are you looking for exactly?
Quote from: Cooper20 on May 15, 2011, 07:55:13 PM
Then I suppose I had a bit of thrill in pointing out obvious flaws in others beleif systems. But I don't think I'll stop enjoying that.
Yeah, verbally spanking bigots is the bee's knees.
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 15, 2011, 09:02:51 PM
I'm just curious: what are you looking for exactly?
Exactly? Oh good, if your demanding specificity you must be familiar with the inventory. Initially, I was looking for commiseration among like minded thinkers. Now I'm looking to interact with intelligent and potentially witty strangers on an atheism themed message board.
What exactly are
you looking for? ;D
Quote from: original_gender on May 15, 2011, 11:41:52 PM
Quote from: Cooper20 on May 15, 2011, 07:55:13 PM
Then I suppose I had a bit of thrill in pointing out obvious flaws in others beleif systems. But I don't think I'll stop enjoying that.
Yeah, verbally spanking bigots is the bee's knees.
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 15, 2011, 09:02:51 PM
I'm just curious: what are you looking for exactly?
Exactly? Oh good, if your demanding specificity you must be familiar with the inventory. Initially, I was looking for commiseration among like minded thinkers. Now I'm looking to interact with intelligent and potentially witty strangers on an atheism themed message board.
What exactly are you looking for? ;D
I meant it more in the context of your thread. You find hanging out with like-minded individuals
awesome? If so, then good for you :D
See sig.
Bigness is overrated.
I think religion would make me feel small, bowing to the almighty and all, but obviously theists get something out of it.
It seems unhealthy to let the immensity of the universe make you feel diminished, an error of perspective maybe. Knowing a little about insects, bacteria, and atoms doesn't make me feel any bigger.
The world would have to take a major turn for the worse before it's transience offered me solace. I suppose the transience of a beautiful thing should make it more precious.
Quote from: original_gender on May 15, 2011, 04:30:55 PMHowever, there might be some hope in increasing the feeling's frequency through quality reading and awe inspiring field trips (basically, I need to stop getting drunk with my cat, retire the Chet Baker, and go to the zoo ;D).
I'm not sure how bleak Chet Baker gets but there can be beauty in bleakness, anyway I'm going to visit the baby bunnies.
Quote from: original_gender on May 15, 2011, 04:30:55 PM
Quote from: thedport on May 14, 2011, 08:56:53 PM
I guesse for me once I doned the robe of non beleif, I still did not feel as though I live in a world without consequence. All of our actions have dirrect personal consequences, good and bad. Even animals without higher cognitive fuction understand the need to work together somewhat and that thier actions have consequences. Even scavangers like Heyena's use secrative methods to get there food because they realize if they just didn't care the lions would eat their faces off. Honestly I am not entirely sure where I was going with this only that we can not shed our humanity in loue of self sastifaction because then al we are is a virus, or parasite take your pick.
While I completely agree that the majority of things we do usually elicit some kind of consequence, the joy of being in the know is being able to remind ourselves, when faced with life's comparatively innocuous complications, that the sun is eventually going to explode and everything we have ever concerned ourselves with will be reorganized on a molecular level.
It's not that I feel inclined to harm other people (I couldn't bring myself to tip below 20 even if a waiter were to spill scalding hot coffee on my lap), and I'm pretty well bored of drugs also – vice in general isn't really what I'm aspiring to. I'm talking about the exciting nonchalance we are capable of when reminding ourselves that, for all practical purposes, we are the mold growing in the universe's neglected coffee filter (and I don't just mean running some iteration of this cheesy metaphor through your head; I'm talking about rattling your mind with the truth of it). I'm sure you can relate to some extent.
From the handful of constructive responses I've received, it seems like most of us are only capable of feeling this occasionally because we are all doomed to stub our toe on Melmoth's coffee table. However, there might be some hope in increasing the feeling's frequency through quality reading and awe inspiring field trips (basically, I need to stop getting drunk with my cat, retire the Chet Baker, and go to the zoo ;D).
I'm not sure, but it
seems like you're searching for something entirely unheard of in the catalogs of Philosophy (at least 20th Century Philosophy), an entirely new term altogether: Existential...
Joy? A little weird, if you ask me. I mean, take the angst out of Existential Angst, and it's hardly Existential, is it? Seriously though, don't give up on drinking with the cat quite yet...just maybe go on a few of those outings and watch some old Nova episodes. Those are fun drunk. Just ask the cat (what did you
think it did while you were out?).
You definitely seem like a pretty cool cat yourself. I've much enjoyed the ease with which you've interjected something so deeply philosophical into a "getting to know you" section of the forum. (SEE DragonStorm!! THAT's how it's done.) You're clearly quite intelligent and coherent. I look forward to engaging with you more.
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on May 16, 2011, 03:17:20 AM
Bigness is overrated.
I think religion would make me feel small, bowing to the almighty and all, but obviously theists get something out of it.
Kids get a lot out of candy too (jelly beans are delicious [I'm re-purposing your unit of measurement, lol]), but the costs of diabetes and dentistry are apparently not subject to the miracle of prayer.
More often than not, I think they exaggerate the benefits of religion to reinforce their own denial. During my adolescent years as a baptist, I felt a great deal more fear than anticipation or peace. Pornography was a lot more interesting as a guilty little Christian, though – I do remember that much. We were told that Jesus was always watching us, but considering we were all operating 56k dial-up modems at the time, I doubt he shared our patience; maybe that's why he invented DSL.
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on May 16, 2011, 03:17:20 AM
I'm not sure how bleak Chet Baker gets but there can be beauty in bleakness, anyway I'm going to visit the baby bunnies.
Very very bleak. Your bunnies are really cute by the way. It's unfortunate that rabbits are such turd factories.
Quote from: The Black Jester on May 16, 2011, 04:24:27 AM
I'm not sure, but it seems like you're searching for something entirely unheard of in the catalogs of Philosophy (at least 20th Century Philosophy), an entirely new term altogether: Existential...Joy? A little weird, if you ask me. I mean, take the angst out of Existential Angst, and it's hardly Existential, is it? Seriously though, don't give up on drinking with the cat quite yet...just maybe go on a few of those outings and watch some old Nova episodes. Those are fun drunk. Just ask the cat (what did you think it did while you were out?).
You definitely seem like a pretty cool cat yourself. I've much enjoyed the ease with which you've interjected something so deeply philosophical into a "getting to know you" section of the forum. (SEE DragonStorm!! THAT's how it's done.) You're clearly quite intelligent and coherent. I look forward to engaging with you more.
Thank you, I'm flattered. I look forward to riding bikes with all of you cool kids when my training wheels are removed.