Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Progress

Along the same lines as the previous post, I am still thinking about the meaning of the western society's concept of progress and the reference points the define it. Progress itself is a reference point defined by previous reference points that form a matrix of points and lines. This matrix has somehow become the web of life in society today. We are constantly comparing and being compared to other things, other persons, other perspectives and losing our own sense of unity and control in the process. The concept of progress is forced upon us as children, relatives pointing out key points in our developement , deciding if we are good or bad children by the way they see good and bad. They force their perspectives upon us and try to mold us into what they consider best for the position in society they wish for us to take. This concept is a cage, a fundemental wall to which they put us in and against. As adults the feeling of satisfaction and self worth is goverened by this restriction. "I am suceeding in life because I have a good job, I am making alot money and I am living legally" This is one of several variations to the same statement I hear constantly. The ideas are purely in reference to the society's concept of what a good job, alot of money, and legally is. Does this take in consideration the personal goals of that person, that they might have had should they live without being forced to take the perspective of the western ideal? no, it simple is the way they are raised not their own choosing. Even if one is to abandon the ideal of the western philosophy after years of living within it, there is a feeling of doubt and general unworth or dissatisfaction. It's a deep rooted concept that will probably lead to the demise of the society at some point when the point is hit that we can no longer progress further, we have expended our resources and mental reserves. This is perhaps too sever of a view but it is the one I myself think of at this moment in time. The restrictions in the system leave me frustrated with the fact that publically I have no control of what I am defined as, its not my thoughts or feelings that define me to others but their view of me. I guess this is just how it is.... ah well my rant is over for the day, back to drinking my tea.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Preception of Life's Worth


Now before I continue I will make this as clear as possible to those that don't understand the purpose of entries such as these. I am NOT suicidal anymore, I am NOT out to injure myself, and I am NOT merely writing this to depress the reader or myself, this is merely an observation, question and general thought that was in my mind tonight. Read into the question not the current state of my sanity, humans bearly know themselves let alone others so no need to worry, thankyou.

I have been thinking along the lines of the human condition as a whole lately. The way that humans are generally pack animals and operate from a utilitarian point of view (greatest good for the greatest number of people). The loss of a individual berely makes a ripple in the whole, most of the planet won't even know you exist even on the smallest stage. Your primary relations will of course "miss" you but in the long run even in that circle your name will be forgotten eventually or pushed back so far in the minds that you are almost forgotten.

This concept has always held a certain duality to it for me. On one hand I dispise most human contact ...well despise is a bit harsh but I resent it. Strictly for the self interest that humans interact upon, human relations are nothing more than a network of dependency and need in one respect (dont worry I know the upsides there coming so keep the pesimistic quarrelling till after). I resent it not for the way others proceed but the way I myself proceed, it troubles me how I get close to some people out of dependancy instead of true desire to be near that person. "I need you..." "stay with me" "dont leave me alone" we've all said it , we all both love and hate saying it. It shows vunerability and that need to be with other people. Loneliness is the human condition, even in the most close nit of relationships there still lays some hidden knowledge unshared, a lingering feeling of not being understood and the lack of understanding in your own actions. It's like having an invisible barrier that protects you from others and yourself. I know how destructive it can be for me to be left to my thoughts at times, they are lingering memories melding with hidden fears that I have yet to realise. A terrifying thought I must say.

However there is that hidden silver linning, forgive the cliche. The silver linning for me has always been, does it really matter? Does the fact that I myself will cease to exist today as the know form I now identify as me really honestly matter in the scope of my exists? the answer is simple, it does not. The reason it doesn't because like reality, definitions of worth are completely subjective and perspective based. If you ask someone if you matter you will get several different oppinions, well if they bother to truely answer the question honestly, and it's with those individual perspectives a whole is created. For instance , there is the life you live that you precieve, the life you live that your siblings preceive and the life you live your lover preceives and the life you live a stranger preceives. Neither are the true you nor the fake you because reality is comprised of all of these. The same principle applies to the concept of that life's worth. My life has worthe because I say it does and for as long as I exist that statement holds true for me. After I'm dead and dust , those that are left can conceive and precieve what they wish because I will not be here to dispute or care.

It's this conflict of opinnion within that creates myself I guess, the feeling of self assurance and the human condition to be part of the whole. This is just tonight's thought on the matter, a simple rambling of mental consciousness, I have much more refined thoughts on the matter but do not wish to portray them this moment. Ask you're own questions and see what stirs beneath ....