Well I tend to see taking joy in the ordinary, mere human life (and not a cat's life, no matter how much I may wish it), is the way to be. Do I always? Nah I tend to get kind of dark sometimes, but I do when I'm at my better self.
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Well I tend to see taking joy in the ordinary, mere human life (and not a cat's life, no matter how much I may wish it), is the way to be. Do I always? Nah I tend to get kind of dark sometimes, but I do when I'm at my better self.
A simpler life doesn't. A cat's life does.Quote:
Originally Posted by CathyA
CathyA & ANM, I'm sorry if I sounded harsh, that wasn't my intent (and hoping a little editing knocked a few spurs off). Thanks for pointing it out. What really kind of has me going is that there are people who really would live the life of a pet. Not producing, not contributing, just laying around and waiting for someone to take care of them... We all know someone like that. I happen to have a few family members like that and they drive me crazy. I don't expect more than that from a cat because frankly they aren't capable of just a whole lot more. Humans are. If we want to talk about what is the most tragic waste of a resource you can forget about oil or clean water or gold... It's (human) brain power. Hands down. And it gets wasted at an alarming rate.
ApatheticNoMore is right, human life IS hard. Hard, at least in the sense of challenging, isn't necessarily a bad thing. Life is worth living when we make it worth living. Nobody will do it for you. And it takes action. It's been a long time since the collective hive in this country put value in action, but we need to get back to that. Newt may sound like some kind of dork for proposing a moon base, but at least he had the kahunas to throw something on the table that stirs the imagination. I'm not one that believes a moon base should be job one for the next president, but we need to do something to get this country off its (cat like) butt.
I had the feeling it was personal for you Gregg. Even in a simpler life you don't want people to always take and never give. There's always something to do to better your surroundings and your lot in life, even in a very simple environment. And "simpler" is not "easier". I had to laugh with a person I met on a chicken forum. We both live out in the country and even though we say we're living "simple" lives, its hard physical work. He said "Hey ...simple living isn't easy......I thought "simple" meant living in a condo and eating out all the time." haha
So no matter where you live or what you do, or how simple or complicated your life is, I think its important to be engaged.
I think alot of people in our society "work hard".......but they don't like what they're working hard at, and it has no meaning or value to them, other than a paycheck. They have to work overtime at a job they don't like in order to have all the things we think we need to have. Then they start dreaming of doing nothing.
For many reasons, alot of us are depressed and tired. It makes the life of a pet look pretty good.
And yes, there are a ton of lazy people in this country too. I can't argue with you about that.
I get bored pretty easily. it's why i'm not a SAHM. Yes, being with my son is awesome. Playing blocks is only fun for about an hour. My son will play for 8 hrs straight, and he free plays. I was watching him play (because psychologists suggest free play -- not constant play with mama). After doing the household chores and gardening chores, I was pretty much work-free from oh. . . 10 am onwards.
BORING.
So, i went back to work. :) YAY! Fun! :) Makes our schedule rough sometimes, but it's still awesome.
What does it take to get a unifying idea in the iPad Era?Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoebird
How about "let's develop ways so we can all have energy to power our lives before we all kill each other over the little dribble of oil we have left?" That would get my vote, even if it came from Newt.
But it's not titillating enough. Ensuring a good life for our descendents is such a buzz kill. We need to go to another planet (while this one eats itself alive) to bring everyone together?
+1 That's what I think too, what's wrong with preserving and restoring this planet as a grand vision? (if you need one) At this point that actually won't be an easy task. What's wrong with a good life on earth as a vision?Quote:
How about "let's develop ways so we can all have energy to power our lives before we all kill each other over the little dribble of oil we have left?"
:) A bit tired of these grand visions period, war is a force that gives us meaning and all that. But seriously some cooperation is needed on the state of the planet (yes this planet earth) right now.Quote:
But it's not titillating enough. Ensuring a good life for our descendents is such a buzz kill. We need to go to another planet (while this one eats itself alive) to bring everyone together?
I think it's a great idea. To have free, renewable, non-polluting power that everyone can have access to. Awesome. :)
We already have it. All we really need to do is develop technology to store it overnight.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoebird
Gregg,
Right. So lets focus on that instead of war and space (though space is cool), and also perhaps on cleaning up our messes around here (that would be good) as our next technological development, and then from there, we might be able to manage a space colony. Cuz I don't think we can manage a space colony without those two technologies first anyway. OH, and how to manage, maintain, clean, etc an artificial atmosphere. That one may not be so easy, but IDK.
I'm very curious, btw, about methane = power from composting in germany (among others). Fascinating stuff. Definitely useful on space colonies.
++1 :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregg