Thursday, January 10, 2013

Why do people live the way they do?

I feel like this is a completely rhetorical attempt at a post. It's really not a fair question, but I kinda want to hear from my readers. I just want to hear your thoughts.

Why do people live the way they do?

Why do certain people live like they do?

Why do prostitutes live to sell their bodies?

Why do addicts live to get the next high?

Why do drunkards drink every waking moment of their lives?

Why do scholars live to study?

Why do stay at home parents live to sit in their homes and provide a suitable home for their families?

Why do soldiers stay alive to provide a safe environment for their country men and women?

Why do charity workers help those in need?

Why do students continue with school even if they don't like it?

Why do you what you do on a daily basis?

I know that people have certain motivations for what they do (i.e. to put food on the table, psychological desire, fear, lack of other options). But... Why really? Are their really no other options? Can't people provide for families in other ways? What are our innate reasons for doing what we do? Even though some people aren't satiated by what they do, even though they become depressed and overall unhappy with what they do every day in a monotonous fashion. Why do we continue?

Or maybe there doesn't have to be a reason. Maybe our purpose is our purpose and that's all. Maybe there is no reason for our purpose in this life?

Another question based off of that previous one. Is there actually a purpose? Do we do what we do because we believe there is a purpose? Does there need to be a purpose?

Ok maybe I should stop before I get too existential. I suppose in the end this wasn't really a rhetorical question or an attempt to have audience participation. It was more of a musing that I hope my readers will dig just a little deeper into. My purpose here on this blog is to make you all think about stuff while I think more or less aloud to you.

Anyway, have a nice night or day depending on when you read this.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Changing the World

So it's been a really long time since I posted anything and I figured while I am in bed restless with nothing better to do, listening to a super inspiring band (aka Enter Shikari), and contemplating changing the world, I may as well post a blog about it.

I will post a warning now, this will likely sound like a rant from a drunken fool or a naive child, but I will do my best to string together some logical ideas if at all possible at this 2 am. And of course none of this ranting will do anything to actually change the world. That has to be done by the people of the world. Only actions bring change.

So the world needs to be changed. How old is this statement at this point in time? Every era has the same criticism and it does change, eventually. But never for good. Why is that? Hmmmm... Well thinking about it I think this is a question that cannot be answered in the amount of time I have before I fall asleep... or in my life for that matter. But how about a short blurb.

Humans are creatures of habit. They find a method that works and they keep to it until it no longer works or someone else finds a more effective way to do the same thing or that thing becomes unnecessary or outdated. So this same concept can be applied to political systems. We stick to the same system until it fails and/or falls to another "better" system.

Now this is what leads us to today. We have a system that... well let's quote one of the most revolutionary bands I have ever listened to:
"Now, I don't know about you, but I don't think the primary purpose of your life, of my life and the entirety of the human race's is just to blindly consume to support a failing economy and a faulty system, forever and ever until we run out of every resource and have to resort to blowing each other up to ensure our own survival. I don't think we're supposed to sit by idle while we continue to use a long outdated system that produces war, poverty, collusion, corruption, ruins our environment and threatens every aspect of our health and does nothing but divide and segregate us. I don't think how much military equipment we are selling to other countries, how many hydrocarbons we're burning, how much money is being printed and exchanged, is a good measure of how healthy our society is but I do think I can speak for everyone when I say, we're sick of this shit."

This kinda sums up everything I could ever say about this world. It's pretty sad to think about. That first statement is the strongest. It's not our purpose to do those things. No matter what you believe of humankind. Whether you think in terms of evolution and biology in which our purpose is to reproduce and become fit as a species. Or religion and our purpose is to get to heaven or do good unto others, or reach whatever your specific religion's goal is. Philanthropists try to help others. I guess if I am arguing these people's purposes are what they are, then there is likely some people who believe this is our purpose, to consume until the end. Maybe I am just blind but I don't see how this is a legitimate belief though.

I say this but I still see it. I see people do absolutely nothing to better anyone or change anything or even try to succeed or pursue their dreams. People are just stuck in their habit of not doing a damned thing. This brings me to the conclusion that habit is laziness. It is unwillingness to change ones life for any reason so as to conserve energy or whatever is the specific persons reason. People are too lazy and carefree to do anything.

To change the world we need people to want to change it. We need people with ideas and with motivation to get others to change it with them. A revolution does not begin on its own.

Well I think my time is almost up this fine evening. I am just about asleep and haven't said much of anything. That's disappointing. Well perhaps I will leave you with some of my hopes for my future.

I want to do a little research into things that have worked and things that haven't. Learning from the past is a necessary thing (also learned from Enter Shikari). I want to become a teacher at some point and I want to teach people chemistry, of all things. Because I still feel that science is the key to the future. But I want to integrate other ideas and lessons into the lectures as well. I also want to help create reform that no politician will. Because for me there is more at stake than a stupid reputation or something as pointless as pride. The future of the world is at stake now. We are losing out grip on what is real. It's really not ok. I will leave tonight by telling all readers to listen to a song or two by Enter Shikari. Please hear them out. And try to do something to help your fellow man. And here is one my favorites from them:
Enter Shikari- Juggernauts

"I'm not saying we could do better but given the chance we would try."
"I know that we still got time but I do not think we're invincible."

Good night fine people. Oh and happy new year.