So I am obviously spending a bit more time in front of the computer lately, as you can see by the volume of posts. While writing, and considering things others have written, I realized (not for the first time) what an incredibly lucky person I am to have what I have in my life. I know only about three people read this blog, despite my efforts, and thats pretty frustrating sometimes, but at least two of those readers are people I am incredibly lucky to have in my life. A little too lucky, it seems. Without listing a pile of things that are similarly beyond what I feel I should be able to expect from life, lets just say things feel a bit unbalanced sometimes. It makes me feel like I owe the universe something.
Now for the record, I don’t owe the universe anything. It is not a conscious entity, and the concept of owing simply doesn’t apply. Nor is there any cosmic karmic scorecard keeping track of my good deeds. In fact the word luck here is simply a descriptive word describing my personal opinion of what I have managed to get away with in life, it is not any kind of mystic force that influences or can be influenced.
Still, I feel like I need to be doing things in the world. Good things (by my lights, since I don’t have anyone elses to use). Things that will make the world a better place for the species, and perhaps things that will make the species better for the world. Would I feel this desire/obligation if I didn’t find my situation so “lucky”? I like to think so, since this notion has come to me via more philosophical/logical routes, but who knows. I suppose if I felt hard done by, I might also feel a need to change the world.
So here’s the question. Leaving aside the why’s and wherefores, what do you feel obligated to do in this world? Anything? If not obligated, what do you think is a good thing to try and accomplish? Is there anything you would consider a worthwhile purpose?
Comments 6
I don’t feel obligated to do anything other then live. Sometimes I don’t even feel that is necessary but my instincts say otherwise. So being a logical creature (or so I think) I listen to the thing that has kept man kind alive for the last millennia or two.
I know I am obligated not out of self motivation but out of financial obligation to pay my mortgage, bills, gas ect. I know by standards of pseudo American society that I should have a partner and live a nuclear life with them. But I rarely think of my self as a nuclear American.
Really we are only obligated to do what we feel is right. Not what the general sense of right but a code of the inner self. If we do not follow out own sense of what is right/good or what ever we get down upon our selves. Unfortunately many of us some I know well others not so do not follow the path of self rightness (poorly worded but oh well) and give in to the ideals other throw our way. They feel socially pressured to do thing that are not what is right for us and for what ever reason they cave. The question I ask is, are you doing right by you?
P.S. I read this blog as well. As you know now.
Reply to Josh
Posted 07 Oct 2006 at 7:39 pm ¶So, Josh, are you saying you feel no further obligation than pleasing yourself? That as long as you do what feels right, this is enough?
Thats a legitimate viewpoint, but I wanted to get to specifics about what you would actually do in the world and why. Lets ask the classic comic-book version othe question – if you suddenly found yourself with a super-power, would you feel obligated to fight crime, make the world a better place, etc? Would logical/ethical thinking keep you from acting (i.e. the world is better off without a paternalistic caretaker) or would you simply enjoy life, use your powers to make life better for yourself and friends?
If you did decide to use it to make the world a better place, what specifically would you do?
Reply to kennric
Posted 08 Oct 2006 at 3:24 am ¶“if you suddenly found yourself with a super-power, would you feel obligated to fight crime, make the world a better place, etc? Would logical/ethical thinking keep you from acting (i.e. the world is better off without a paternalistic caretaker) or would you simply enjoy life, use your powers to make life better for yourself and friends?
If you did decide to use it to make the world a better place, what specifically would you do?”
Personally, I believe that fighting crime in a way that sidesteps the judicial system would only cause more problems. The constitution may not be respected, but it’s there for a reason. If I found myself with a super power, I would use it to benefit the world around me because I enjoy doing such things. I don’t feel obligated to follow morals that others would press upon me, but to follow what I think is right. So long as I’m not hurting anyone, I don’t see a problem with this.
Reply to Julie
Posted 08 Oct 2006 at 4:03 pm ¶Fair Warning I am on cold pills I have a massive sinus infection.
Well idea of “super powers” is such a broad idea and would have a hard time narrowing just what kind of super powers I had. If we assume that my “powers” were super man style powers then I would have a lot of fun. Really the only thing that stops me from being more successful is the fact that I just get to tired to care. Super man doesn’t get tired.
I don’t think I would be a caretaker, more of just a “super†nice guy who could pull your ass out of a vice once in a while. I certainly would not try to dominate the world in to perfect harmony, that’s just way to much work. Also I am not just out to fulfill my own needs and wants, I do care about other people but as I have said to others helping others makes you feel good about your self….so isn’t that a selfish desire to make your self feel better by helping others? I don’t know really.
To answer “If I had powers what would I do?â€
So I would better my life first, get some amazing education, visit every part of the planet learn about different cultures, explore the unexplored and keep it to my self (after all if I told everyone no one would have motivation to do it them selves). I am sure after I finished goofing around with my powers I would do something useful to the human race. Maybe transport nuclear waste to the sun, spend a good deal of time flying in circles connected to a harness to generate electricity…
Reply to Josh
Posted 08 Oct 2006 at 7:34 pm ¶what happened to the rest of the post is there a word count max? Well just in case. Here is the rest.
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Reply to Josh
Posted 08 Oct 2006 at 7:37 pm ¶Err three periods ends the post.
I don’t know. I would do a lot of crazy shit just to see if I could.
I would certainly clean up the parts of the world that need it the most. Where people are living in dirt huts and warlords are screwing them for rice patties. I don’t think I would feel to bad about wasting some bad guys to make the world a better place. Because being subjected to the will of some ass hole who cares about nobody but them selves sucks hard core.
Really I have no idea what I would do other then do what I feel is right. Keep in mind that might change from time to time. Just because I save china from a nuclear melt down once doesn’t mean I am going to baby them and keep saving there dumb asses. After all there is the Darwin Award.
Ya Cold medication.
Reply to Josh
Posted 08 Oct 2006 at 7:39 pm ¶Post a Comment