Posts by Scott Sanders2

I was watching some old clips of matches from a decade ago last night, and it got me thinking about how much the culture of following sports has shifted toward this obsession with "potential" rather than actual, immediate performance. It feels like every single time I turn on a sports broadcast or scroll through a dedicated fan forum, the conversation isn't really about the game being played right now. Instead, it’s a constant, exhausting cycle of scouting reports, youth academy projections, and "wonderkid" hype.

I remember being a kid, just sitting on the floor in front of the TV, and I didn't care if the striker was twenty-four or seventeen. I just wanted to see him hit the back of the net. If he missed, he missed. If he scored a screamer, it was legendary. But now? It feels like we’re all acting like amateur talent scouts. You see these matches—often just preseason friendlies or lower-tier developmental games—and the discourse is immediately sucked into whether or not a specific teenager is "ready" for the big leagues or if a certain tactical setup is "preparing" them for a future that might never happen.

There’s a specific kind of frustration that comes with following these developmental squads or second-string teams. You go into a match expecting a certain level of grit or a glimpse of the future, but instead, you get a result that feels almost inconsequential to the "real" season, yet everyone treats it like a referendum on the club's entire philosophy. When a developmental side loses to a lower-division team, the "experts" start screaming about "lack of maturity" or "tactical failures," ignoring the fact that these games are literally designed for experimentation and making mistakes.

I feel like we’ve lost the ability to appreciate the process. If you’re watching a team built around youth, the whole point is the growing pains. It's supposed to be messy. It’s supposed to be unpredictable. But we live in this era of hyper-analysis where every minor setback is treated as a systemic crisis. We've become so obsessed with the "trajectory" of a player or a squad that we forget how to just watch a ninety-minute contest for what it is: a game.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good underdog story, and I love seeing a kid break through. But there's a fine line between being excited about the future and being perpetually disappointed by the present because it doesn't match some idealized version of what that player *will* be in three years. We spend so much time looking at the horizon that we trip over what's right in front of us.

It’s also made it harder to enjoy the "testing" phase of a season. Preseason and friendlies used to be a fun, low-stakes way to see new faces. Now, they feel like high-stakes auditions where every loss is dissected by people who act like they’ve discovered a flaw that will sink the ship. It’s exhausting. It turns a casual hobby into a constant exercise in managing expectations.

Do you guys feel like the "prospect culture" has sucked the fun out of following your teams, or am I just being a cynical old man who misses the days when we didn't need a spreadsheet to enjoy a match?

Thomas Miller80 said:Alright, then I totally get why 👍
was nuked.
Look, the whole point of this thread was about the ocean—I’m seriously at my wit's end here. I don't know whether I should just shut these down, dig up some old threads, or basically yell at people to actually read the pinned RULES at the top—you know, the ones that clearly state the deadlines? But apparently, nobody bothers to check how to avoid getting their posts flagged or whatever 🙄
.
If this thread doesn't get a decent response soon, I'm just going to merge everything back together and let them hunt through the existing archives themselves 😉
.

Personally, I find it pretty telling that people are even asking these things, since the questions and answers really highlight how someone could be behind the wheel with 108 citations on their record...
I'd suggest making this a pinned thread instead of merging it, because while it might belong in a group discussion, there's a deeper social issue lurking under the surface of these questions

darkcanyon13 said:Yeah, it was definitely deleted. And honestly? He hit the nail right on the head.

Doesn't matter, Google never forgets...🙂

Vojky (or whoever else deleted that post), I honestly don't think my response was even off-topic, especially if you actually bother to read between the lines...

Hannah Taylor51 said:As most of you probably know, Ninja07 is currently swamped dealing with his wife and their little astronaut, who is already well on his way; since there isn't a computer available where they're staying, he’s authorized me (for a price) to kick off this thread.

That said, Ninja07 will be checking in later this afternoon to join the debate. My infinite generosity allows him access to my absolute beast of a machine—with 850 GB of RAM, just imagine how many C and D drives and virtual partitions that covers—all for the sake of this discussion.

The issue at hand is the unfair and condescending treatment of Mexicans, whose constitutionally guaranteed right to self-determination and the expression of their religious and political views is being stripped away.

Most Mexicans living in Beautiful us actually hold dual citizenship. As such, the Constitution of America ensures they can express their principles and identities, whether religious or through the names they choose for themselves.

So, the point of this manifesto is simple: Mexicans in the GOP are once again under threat because they are being forbidden from expressing their views—views that allow them to freely identify as Royalists.

Let me remind you that being a Royalist isn't just permitted in the Republic of Mexico; it’s legalized and ranked right alongside anti-fascism. This was further confirmed by the honors bestowed upon them by JU-ES-END-EJA. For these reasons, both Ninja07 and I have decided to defend their views and their constitutionally protected rights.

To prove why our concern for our neighbors is justified, look at certain members of this forum community who explicitly forbid the use of the word "Royalist." Isn't that an undeniable violation of Mexican rights to self-determination and political expression?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts on this massive issue shaking this forum. I call upon everyone to unite in defense of our Mexican brothers who aren't ashamed to use the word "Royalist," since it is legally permitted and placed side-by-side with other anti-fascists who feel the same way.

Fight on for the Mexican people; we can't let them take their rights away!

I still maintain that if we were smart enough to eliminate dual citizenship, it would be a massive benefit for America... As long as people with two passports try to play both sides, there will always be a conflict of interest...

Let me remind you that Royalist in Mexico isn't just permitted, it’s essentially legalized and placed on the same level as anti-fascism, which was further validated by honors bestowed upon them by the United Nations, and that is why both hollowwalker142 and I decided to defend their views and the rights guaranteed to them by their constitution...

That whole thing about UN honors doesn't change anything here... It was just some pre-election political theater and carries zero legal weight in our country. Personally, I think promoting Royalist in Mexico should be banned, if anyone actually had the willpower to do it, but nobody over there seems to have the strength to enforce something like that. We can see how much we struggle just dealing with Nationalists rhetoric... No one has managed to find the strength to deal with it decisively yet...

To prove why we need to care about our neighbors, look at certain members of this community who explicitly forbid using the word "Royalist," which is clearly a violation of Mexican rights to self-determination and expressing their political stances...

The issue is that on this forum, those terms started being used strictly as insults. I've been called everything from Nationalists to Royalist to Jew to right-winger to left-winger... and every single time, the intention was just to insult the person talking. I know it’s complicated, but I suppose you can only figure out the true intent if you look closely at the context...

Thank you in advance for sharing your views on this massive problem shaking this forum, and I call upon everyone to unite in defense of our Mexican brothers who aren't ashamed to use the word "Royalist," since it is legally permitted to them and placed alongside other anti-fascists who feel that way...

This forum is subject to American law anyway, as far as I know, since the host is based in America...

Roger Robinson682 said:Does that mean we should start a global petition to ban the swastika simply because the Nazis misappropriated it? Should we go after Hindus and Buddhists and forbid them from using the symbol just because, well, the Nazis used it too? It seems a bit much to argue that its ancient history somehow negates how it's viewed now just because of that misuse.🙄🙄🙄

I already pointed out that symbols themselves are essentially neutral... their true meaning only emerges through context, which is why trying to enforce a worldwide ban on the swastika is pretty pointless. We can blame Ante Pavelić and Adolf Hitler for tainting both the swastika and certain local slogans, but I personally don't see an issue with a Hindu using a swastika as a religious icon, because it's obvious they aren't using it as a nod to Nazism. But if I spot that same symbol on a German, well, the meaning changes entirely... Certain slogans here have been so thoroughly compromised that there's no fixing them, much like how no amount of effort will "cleanse" the swastika for Germans for the next thousand years. It’s the same logic with the five-pointed star; seeing one on a US military aircraft carries none of the baggage that comes from seeing one on the helmet of a US Army soldier during the attack on El Paso...

I suppose we’re just waiting to see how this all unfolds, though history suggests we've seen this pattern before...

Olivia Turner49 It seems like there isn't any content provided to rewrite... if you give me the text, I'll get to work on it... I wonder when exactly the "Sieg Heil" salute first emerged, and then there's that other one, "Sieg Heil"... The issue is that Sieg Heil is tied exclusively to Nazism because people claim Goebbels invented it... on the other hand, "Sieg Heil" is a slogan used by movements that predated Nazism by nearly a century...

I have a feeling we haven't quite understood one another...
The "hand salute" is an old gesture that goes back centuries, so when people argue about when exactly things were "invented," it honestly doesn't change much... what really matters is the intent behind the symbolism. I can't just sit here and downplay the weight of a Swastika or a specific salute by claiming they were ancient and neutral once upon a time. You and I might both feel it's unfair for a certain ideology to hijack neutral symbols and force a completely different meaning onto them, but we have to be objective and admit that when someone uses that kind of rhetoric, they aren't doing it because they think the greeting is neutral, but because of the heavy symbolism standing right behind it...

I suppose we're just waiting to see how this all unfolds...

Then again, people might try to link "Sieg Heil" to the swastika... but the swastika is just an ancient, well-known symbol that's been around for ages, originally representing something positive, like prosperity or some such thing... There’s an old tradition involving the swastika that goes back way before the era of Nazi Germany, yet somehow, nobody seems to grasp its actual history... everyone just immediately links it to the Third Reich...

In Germany, they definitely understand the history behind the swastika and when it was originally conceived, but under that symbol, millions of civilians lost their lives, and whether you like it or not, that swastika ended up carrying the entire weight of Nazism... I don't know about you, but whenever I see a swastika, my mind goes straight to Nazism, even though I’m fully aware it’s an ancient symbol that just became synonymous with that regime... It's much more "problematic" than, say, a Celtic cross or something similar, because symbols like this one or "Sieg Heil" have such a specific, heavy legacy...

So, is "Sieg Heil" inherently bad or not... greetings. For the uneducated, it’s definitely bad, but for someone more educated, it feels more like a neutral historical marker...

So, just figure out how people actually perceive it—whether they truly grasp where that sign originated from—and you'll have your answer as to whether it's a good or bad omen...

I don't think there's any point in debating whether a symbol is "good" or not, rather we should be looking at what that symbol actually represents... Many people tend to underestimate the sheer weight of symbolism, or perhaps they just prefer to play dumb, though I'm certainly not suggesting you're doing that...

Grace Lee2 said:Please don't immediately jump down my throat by throwing around labels like fascism or Nazism.
Explain to me exactly what is wrong with that greeting and what negative connotations these words supposedly carry.
Is such a greeting truly worse than one that mentions someone's death, even if that refers to the death of fascism itself?
I don't align myself with either the left or the right—mostly because in this country, everyone seems to be driven by leftist ideologies—but I am an American who is always ready to defend my home.
Thank you.

"Sieg Heil" and "Sieg Heil" are greetings that are essentially neutral on their own, but there's no point in playing dumb and ignoring the symbolism behind them. Even a Swastika is just a symbol in theory, but because history dragged it through such toxic contexts, it became the face of Nazism. If you walk down a street in downtown Berlin and greet someone with "Sieg Heil," you'll probably get confronted on the spot or end up in a jail cell. That ideology caused massive damage, which is why that imagery is legally restricted. If you try to argue in an American courtroom that "Sieg Heil" is just a harmless, neutral greeting, the judge will likely just give you a blank stare before sending you away... personally, I think that's fine, since certain things shouldn't be allowed to hide behind the mask of democracy.

Wishing death upon Nazis, viruses, fascism, or whatever else—even if they're officially on a "blacklist"—isn't really the issue here. As far as I'm concerned, you can wish death on any ideology because that doesn't involve actually killing people...

The Axis-aligned state was a losing, criminal regime that put "us" on the losing side of history, so glorifying something like that feels about as useful as celebrating old military defeats against foreign invaders...🙂 I get a little worried about some people's patriotism when I see them praising Royalists, the Axis-aligned state, or any other ideology that caused this country so much misery...

I don't identify as left or right because everyone here still seems to lean left or have roots there, but I am an American who is always ready to defend my home...

As far as I'm concerned, anyone can be whatever they want, as long as they mind their own business...🙂

Noah Sanchez7 said:You claim not to like prejudice or people who hold it. You accused me of forming an opinion based on some projected movie in my head. That isn't true. I formed an opinion based on the information you actually provided here on the forum. It's exactly how you formed your impression of me. Nothing more than that.
Regarding divisions, believe me, we are completely in agreement there. Proof enough is that on this forum, I identify with the US rather than any other side.
You correctly concluded that I started the topic to "create sparks," but if you had read a bit closer, you would have seen I was talking about mood swings; I gave an example of waking up with the phrase "straight, there is no other way," and by evening being the complete opposite. I added that I was writing a post that evening...
And rest assured, I am not judging, though I admit I do judge—you can consider that my flaw. As for your trip to Hawaii to experience different cultures and such...
Again, don't get hung up on terms like Hawaii or Mercedes-Benz, because that wasn't my point. I was referring to people who pursue those things for the wrong reasons...

So you're saying you judged me based on my posts here? If that's the case, I don't quite follow how you reached those wrong conclusions about what's going on in my mind... When I talk about prejudice, I'm not talking about how we perceive each other—we aren't really the point of this discussion—but rather your first post where you basically called anyone traveling to Buffalo or Mauritius a moron. Even after this back-and-forth, I've noticed a pattern where people who constantly accuse others of being biased often end up being just as bad, if not worse. You took people with different values and broadly labeled them as idiots without them ever doing anything to you, and then you try to hide behind that cheap "well, there are exceptions" defense. I've seen that kind of sweeping generalization plenty of times in America... like saying "all members of that group are criminals, with few exceptions." I wear nice suits, I travel, I drive a decent car, and I usually have a smile on my face... it seems I fall right into that category that gets under your skin, the group you dismissed as "idiots." Based on your own biases, you slotted me into a mold, deciding I was shallow, robotic, unfulfilled, and predictable... look, man, don't judge a book by its cover unless you're willing to actually put in the effort to understand someone's character. Like I said, your post didn't hit me personally, I just reacted because it was so full of bias, and I have a bit of an allergy to that... Just live your life and let others live theirs, and respect other people's values, at least until they start interfering with yours. Even the very first response to your post pointed out that you aren't any better than the people who annoy you.
It feels like you just need someone to aim your negative energy at, so you take the path of least resistance and aim it at people in nice clothes driving nice cars.

As far as divisions go, believe me, we are completely in agreement there. My presence on the American forum rather than the foreign one should be proof enough.

I don't see how which forum you use matters, though I'll take your word that you aren't obsessed with nationalistic prejudices—not that Americans are more preoccupied with that than people over there... Still, it seems to me you divide people into those in fine clothing and those who aren't.

And rest assured, I'm not judging—though I admit I do judge, and you can call that a flaw of mine—your decision to go to Buffalo to experience different cultures and such...
I'm telling you again, don't get hung up on mentions of Buffalo, Fords, or whatever... I wasn't talking about the destinations, I was talking about the people who seek them out for the wrong reasons...

Fine, your post was definitely a broad swipe at everyone, but I suppose that was just your way of expressing yourself, insults and all...
Then there are the people heading to Buffalo just to flex on everyone else... I have to admit, they make me want to gag. It’s the same feeling I get when I see someone buying a high-end Ford just to impress people—which, if I'm being honest, makes me want to gag at myself too. But that total lack of intellect, that hollow existence... those things you mentioned don't necessarily have to be the cause for such behavior. Unfortunately, we live in a society where superficiality—the suits, the cars—basically dictates how people are perceived, though from what I can tell, you fit right into that cycle yourself, even if you aren't consciously aware of it...

Noah Sanchez7 said:Man, there are way too many posts here for me to reply to everyone individually right now.
We should all agree on one thing: I’m talking about spirituality. Honestly, I’m not even sure if that’s the right word for it. What I really mean is an openness to one's inner self—being open with yourself first, and then extending that openness toward others and the world around you.
It doesn't really matter whose bread I'm eating, because my focus isn't on material things. To answer the question: I'm eating bread that I didn't earn myself. I'm currently a student and don't have a steady job, though I pick up odd jobs here and there.
The fact that I don't eat the bread I earned basically throws my entire philosophy out the window, but whatever.

Since we're talking about being open with ourselves, I have just one question for everyone.
Do you feel even the slightest change within yourself the moment you step out the door?
How different does it feel when you’re just hanging out at home versus that exact moment you step out the door?
I'll tell you this... that moment exists. It might not happen right away, but it’s out there, and not everyone realizes it.
And what exactly is that moment? It’s that specific instant where you put on a mask, almost like sliding into an invisible suit.
Is that what they call the superego? I wouldn't know. Honestly, it doesn't even matter. What actually matters is...
It’s all about that specific moment—the point where you cease being who you were. You transform into a creation of your own mind, designed specifically to project the version of yourself you want the world to see.
Designing an environment—well, a hundred years ago, you would have been wearing a different kind of invisible suit, just like 300 years ago, and again in the future. It'll always be different.
And where exactly do you all fit into this whole mess?

Most people either don't get it, or they do and just shrug it off like, "Eh, that's just how things are." I’m telling you, it's definitely not normal.
I think I expanded my consciousness in a way that might not have been the best idea, using psychedelics like marijuana and LSD. To be clear, I didn't start using drugs because I was struggling; it was actually the opposite. I was perfectly happy and content with myself when I first started.
How did I expand my awareness? Some people call it meditation. Personally, I’d just say I stopped. Like becoming a zero. No activity... Just being there, observing everything—mostly watching people and the situations they find themselves in.
I've started scanning my own thoughts. It’s actually quite simple: a thought pops up right before an action, you just pause instead of reacting immediately, and then you take a moment to really examine what that thought was all about.
First, identify the need. Second, determine how you respond and why you choose that specific reaction. Third, define the payoff from your action. You can even apply this logic to something as simple as an Average Joe grabbing a bottle of water.
I won't bore you any further with that...

Let's be honest with ourselves first; after all, who else can you truly be open and sincere with if not yourself?
Scott Sanders2, what was your actual reason for heading out to that island? Just wanted to clear the air—I don't actually hate people who travel there, if you took it that way.
What’s your motivation for wearing makeup and dressing up for work? Once you answer that, the most important thing is: do you actually feel comfortable in it, or does getting ready feel like a chore?

Just to be clear, I’m not trying to provoke anyone or start any trouble. I truly want everyone here to be genuinely happy; seeing you all stay positive and spread good vibes really helps me out, too.
Everyone is lying. What can I even do? The world is a mess, and there’s nothing I can personally change. But honestly, I think a lot depends on every single one of us. If we could just flip that negative energy into something positive, the world would be a much better place to live.

I don't want to overstep. Just so we're clear—before any critics jump in to say I’m acting like a know-it-all or lecturing anyone—I'm not trying to be superior. I’m just reflecting on human psychology and how people behave. I have no desire to put myself above anyone else.
I think that, in a way, I'm just chipping in. The development of human consciousness is the foundation for everything; it’s the core of our very existence. Even if I'm off base, I actually welcome any fact-based criticism—it helps me make sure I'm not just stubbornly insisting that I'm right when I'm actually wrong.

Just one more thing... I have this vision of paradise, an Eden, and it’s not something meant for the afterlife—it's something we should experience right here on Earth. Honestly, I don't see eye to eye with the traditional Christian view on this. I don't think Eve actually messed things up for us; if anything, it was the opposite. I believe God knew exactly what He was doing when He forbade the fruit. He knew she would take it, and that’s exactly what He intended, because human curiosity is a beautiful thing.
If that story captures the heart of everything, then our fundamental duty is to see this whole "exile from paradise" through to the end.
I believe the answer, the actual solution, lies in that single moment when you step out of your house and experience a subtle shift. If we could just get rid of the masks, the pretenses, the constant grooming, and all that superficiality, we would finally be free. We’d be free with one another, and love would take over, bringing Eden back to us..

The stuff regarding that Unknown probably won't catch your interest—I just enjoy traveling, exploring new places, and meeting new people... that’s what makes me feel alive. And since I'm doing things that actually bring me happiness, I don't spend much time second-guessing myself. I honestly thought you’d latch onto that example about the car I mentioned, because to me, it was a perfect illustration of that social pressure you used to talk about... the kind of pressure where I felt like I "had" to conform. As for shaving, well, I'm a guy, and dressing sharp for work is just part of the job. To put it in your terms, I bought the car and that suit from the boss just so I could earn the money needed to fund my own interests. Whether it's comfortable or not, I feel better in a well-tailored suit than I would in ripped jeans or a formal tuxedo... the burden is buying the suit, not wearing it...
If you have questions, feel free to ask, but let me explain why I felt compelled to reply to your post in the first place... I’ve developed this deep-seated allergy to prejudice, to people judging someone else's values, to tribalism, narrow-mindedness, and spiritual stagnation... my philosophy has always been pretty simple—live and let live. In that initial post of yours, I caught glimpses of those exact things, though perhaps I misread the situation, but it seemed like you were busy condemning anyone who didn't fit into your specific worldview. Maybe you used those insults just to stir the pot and get a reaction, which I can respect, but then you doubled down by saying you just "can't stand" those other people. To top it off, you asked if I was a Jew, and that whole bit about how "everyone in your group is an idiot, except for the exceptions" reminds me of that tired, mainstream rhetoric where people claim everyone from a certain background is a monster, barring a few outliers... it’s honestly exhausting dealing with such shallow, closed-off, and intolerant perspectives. I don't expect the world to applaud my way of life any more than I expect them to applaud yours, but I’ve managed to reach a point where I can respect people regardless of their identity, their beliefs, or what they hold dear. It might sound a bit sentimental coming from me, but I tend to get worked up when I run into someone I perceive as being that intellectually limited—not that I'm labeling you, as I could easily have misinterpreted your opening remarks... I imagine you’ve dealt with your fair share of people judging your own lifestyle and your own self-destructive tendencies, so maybe you’ll eventually understand where I’m coming from...

I don't want to get caught up in this anymore... I should probably just add that because of all those bitter voices waiting to claim I'm acting like a know-it-all or lecturing them, I'll clarify that isn't my intention; I’m simply observing the nuances of the human psyche and how people behave, and I have no desire to position myself above anyone else or anything of the sort...

I think everyone here is ultimately searching for some insight into human nature... You laid out your situation quite clearly, which added a lot to the conversation. While those initial prejudices, insults, and tired stereotypes probably weren't necessary, I'm glad you're part of this forum and sharing your particular philosophy...

George Jackson5 said:You have to fight for what you believe is right, whether you’re trying to change the world or just standing up for your own principles.
But whining about it while you let yourself fall apart? That’s just pointless...
A friend of mine once told me—he’s gone now, an overdose—that nobody would even remember him in a month once he was dead.
I fought my way through addiction, and I don't think that means I've settled for some mediocre, half-hearted existence. I still live life on my own terms, and if anyone wants to judge me or spread rumors... well, that's their problem.

... yeah, and fighting for whatever actually makes you happy, too. For me, happiness is the only real driver in this life, and everything else is just a byproduct of doing what you love...

But there’s no point in whining while you slowly destroy yourself along the way...
A friend of mine once told me—he's gone now, an overdose—that nobody will even remember me a month after I'm dead...
I fought my way through addiction, and I don't think that meant accepting some mediocre, hollow existence. I still live exactly how I want to, and if anyone wants to judge or gossip about it, that's their own damn problem...

Your friend was right, though people probably wouldn't have remembered him even if he'd lived a perfectly straight life, just like nobody's going to remember me or Noah Sanchez7... Maybe we'll be remembered if we leave something behind for others to use, whether it's spiritual or material... But you're right, everyone should live on their own terms. That's how I live, and from what I can tell, that's how Noah Sanchez7 lives too. I don't judge how other people live, but Noah Sanchez7 does. You say that's his problem, and it is, as long as he doesn't start meddling in other people's business, though I'm not saying he has...

I tend to be one of those people who doesn't judge, but instead tries to understand why everyone else is so different...

slyskipper7 said:I hope you don't get worked up, but this seriously sounds like a script from a bad soap opera.
Stop the drama and the anger over forum posts... save that energy for real life.

What exactly are "average people"? Some local daytime TV show?
As for the drama and the anger... I'm not sure if I was being dramatic or not, though I certainly wasn't angry, I just have a low tolerance for baseless judgment and I reacted to that. Harsh insults don't really get under my skin, but everyone has their own triggers... if a guy from Texas gets worked up about someone heading to Hawaii, then I get worked up when people start hurling insults for no reason. It's just part of being human...

P.S. thankfully, I still have plenty of positive energy left for my real life... 🙂

Noah Sanchez7 said:Addressing Scott Sanders2..

Let’s be real here. I don't care for bickering; I prefer actual debates conducted on a civilized level.
Here is my take on you. You are one of those people—and there are plenty of them in this country—who follows the established, "mainstream" path. You seem like a perfectly well-adjusted individual. Honestly, you don't even have a "real" problem; you're happy, content, and living in total harmony with the world around you.
I don't hate people like you, but I find them a bit frustrating because they seem limited.
Why?
Because I believe people like that don't ask themselves questions. Don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about everyday inquiries. I mean the deep stuff. Things like: who am I, where am I, and why am I here? What is the quality of the universe outside of me versus the universe within me?
People like you truly don't have issues, which means you aren't the kind of person I look to for conversation. If I wanted to talk to someone like that, I'd just step out onto a sidewalk in Chicago and stop the first stranger I see to chat about the weather, the Dow Jones, or when the next administration takes office.
I belong to the other group—the ones asking those heavy questions, many of which might not even have answers, which is where the problem arises.
My main reason for being on this forum is precisely that: I am searching for answers. Various things have tripped me up along the way, leading me to a point where I am struggling.
I am here to find people in similar situations so we can complement one another; it's a mutual benefit.
YOU don't fit into that group. And it isn't that I wouldn't want to be in your shoes—it's that I know I couldn't be. If I were born again, I would choose this same path.

To be clear, since you don't have a problem, you don't have much to discuss with me.

Enjoy yourself.. 👍

Look, here's the thing... I honestly regret that this whole discussion turned so emotional, though I suppose it might have been avoided if you hadn't gone on a tear insulting everyone in your very first post, but maybe it's best if we just move past it... Debating people who already agree with you is a waste of breath anyway, so perhaps the two of us could actually have an interesting conversation if you could just manage to lay off the insults...

Look, I don't hold any real hatred for people like you, but there is a certain level of irritation that sets in because I can't help but feel how limited everyone truly is...
Why does it always end up this way...
It’s because I don't think people like that ever actually stop to ask themselves anything... Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about the trivial stuff, but those deeper questions, like who am I really, where am I standing, and why am I even here... What is the quality of the universe outside of me versus the one within...
People like that really don't have any issues, and honestly, I don't go looking for them to talk to... because if I did, I'd just end up stepping out onto the sidewalk and stopping the first person I see to ramble on about how nice the weather is, what the Dow Jones is doing today, when we might finally get a new administration in DC...
I suppose I belong to that other crowd, the ones constantly chasing those deeper questions... though maybe some of them just don't have answers, wherever they might be hiding... Everything feels like it’s just circling the drain lately... nothing ever really changes, does it?.

You tried to piece together some kind of character profile without having any actual facts to go on, and honestly, I suspect you approach everyone else with that same constant, judgmental streak...
This idea of being "limited" is pretty subjective, because if we’re going to throw that word around so loosely, everyone else is going to look restricted from where you're standing... maybe it's just easier to agree that we're all just judging everyone else's boundaries...
I honestly think you’re giving yourself far too much credit by assuming you can interpret someone else's mind... there is absolutely no way you know what kind of questions I'm actually grappling with, yet just because I mentioned my trip to Hawaii, you've already constructed this entire cinematic narrative about who I am and slotted me into some convenient little stereotype. It feels like a pretty shallow and narrow grasp of human psychology, and frankly, I won't even dignify that patronizing "you think shallowly while I think deeply" attitude of yours with a response...

The main reason I even bother showing up to this forum is because I started out looking for some actual answers... but after hitting so many dead ends along the way, I’ve just ended up in a bit of a rut...
I'm just looking to connect with people navigating similar circumstances... maybe we could find some common ground where everyone walks away with something to gain...

I’m actually on this forum for the exact opposite reason... I'm not here to hunt for an echo chamber or find some group of like-minded souls to validate me, but rather to engage with people who see the world through a completely different lens, just to get a sense of their logic and what they actually value in life...
I don't particularly care to dwell on why we're both hanging around this forum or what our personal beliefs might be, though I could certainly dive into the points you were making... But you have to realize that you need to be prepared to sit there and listen to someone who isn't following your particular script, because this isn't some kind of support group, it's just a place for discussion...

Noah Sanchez7 said:Fine.

Look, I have no intention of continuing this argument with you. The fact that you latched onto my comments about "expensive suits" shows me you completely missed my point. You just don't get it, and honestly, I don't feel like wasting any more energy on you.

No hard feelings.😉

I honestly think you're the type of person who can't find their own happiness, so you stick your nose into everyone else's business to try and tear them down... happiness is subjective, and the fact that someone else going to Hawaii makes them happy while causing you nothing but misery is, frankly, pretty pathetic... you might tell yourself they just don't understand true values, but it really just boils down to the fact that you can't stand seeing anyone else succeed...
Your whole argument could have been about anything—the suit, the trip to Hawaii, whatever—because the issue isn't with anyone else, it's yours to deal with if you don't want to spend your life feeling this bitter...
Your behavior is relatively human, though in my view, it leans toward the pathological... plenty of people struggle with other people's success by trying to devalue it or paint it as dishonest, much like how in the US, there's often an immediate assumption that a successful entrepreneur is just some corporate shark or crook...
All I can say is that I've been to Hawaii and it was incredible, and the fact that you think I'm a fool for enjoying it means absolutely nothing to me, as I've seen it all before... if I were to give you any advice, it would be to come back down to earth, because you aren't the smartest person alive just because you think you understand what makes others happy, and maybe stop trying to mask your urge to meddle in people's lives as some kind of altruism... you probably don't even realize you're doing it, let alone how obvious it is to everyone else🙂.

P.S. If you're arrogant enough to walk around telling people they're stupid and that their values are worthless, you should probably be prepared for someone to knock you down a peg...
P.P.S. No hard feelings...

Noah Sanchez7 said:That's about all I've got for speculation.
Not that it really matters...

Look, I didn't mean to offend you or anything, nor was I trying to call you out based on your background or religion.
I was honestly just curious because of the picture..

Maybe I was wrong when I called you stupid. For this world, you probably aren't, but for the other one, you might be—or at least that's how I see it.
You probably don't understand what I mean by the "other side." Even I wouldn't know how to explain it to you.
Think of it like missing a whole dimension. That's all there is to it..

I think it matters because you aren't making things up for no reason... You fabricated some "quote" about material gifts, but my point was simply that if I see someone wanting something they can't afford, I might try to help them out. I have no interest in helping people who are already happy and don't need an extra hand. I'm not in the business of inserting myself into the lives of people who are doing fine, nor do I feel the need to judge them. It's none of my concern how they dress or live, as long as they're content, and whether they actually are or not is something only they can truly know...

Look, I didn't mean to offend you or target you based on your background or beliefs...
Maybe I went too far calling you stupid.

I don't take it personally when some stranger on the internet calls me stupid... Calling someone names online says much more about your own character than it does about mine, so there's no need for apologies or walking back what you said. It's just part of the exchange, helping me get a better sense of who you really are...

Noah Sanchez7 It’s just one thing after another... everything seems to be falling apart in such a predictable way...
Look, I tend to split people into two camps: those who actually get it, and those who are completely lost... I can hold a conversation with the first group, but there's really no point in trying with the second because they're just beyond help. In my view, you fall firmly into that latter category...

Whoops, I guess I must have stepped on your toes if you started throwing insults around like that... didn't mean to get under your skin...

You only ever see what’s right in front of you... nothing to the left or the right actually exists in your world. You just don't have any problems, I guess...

I see all these problems surrounding me, but it isn't really about the issues themselves; it’s more about how much I'm going to let them wreck my mental state by sticking my nose into everyone else's business... From that self-imposed notion of yours—that you actually care about everyone around you, if I'm reading you right—no one else gains anything or finds any happiness except for yourself, which just makes it one more thing we do simply because our egos are bruised...

If you tell me you need some help getting through school or covering some expenses, I'd be more than happy to step up and assist...

You’re back at it again, twisting my words and putting sentences in my mouth that I never actually said... it seems like you do this quite often, almost as if you’re intentionally fishing for an argument just to have something to clash against... What I was actually trying to get across was that if I thought you were someone genuinely looking for a hand, I’d be more than happy to help, but you seem to have this chip on your shoulder about needing anyone for anything, and frankly, seeing as you seem so content being your own island, I don't feel any particular urge to step into your business... As for all this talk about material assistance, that’s clearly just something you've made up entirely...

Are you Jewish...

It doesn't really matter for the sake of this debate, though your question might be telling regarding whatever issue you're dealing with... I honestly couldn't care less if you're an American or an Orthodox Christian, or a Catholic...

Morgan Bishop4 said:Look, it’s not even about you wearing that damn expensive suit and looking sharp in it.
It's more about how this whole messed up world starts valuing you way more just because of the designer threads and the luxury car you're driving, while all the actual, meaningful stuff just gets pushed to the side...
And honestly, it happens constantly; we see it playing out right in front of our eyes every single day.
You see decent, hardworking people getting passed over while the brown-nosers and the scammers are out there basking in the spotlight. Like seeing some corporate shark at JPMorgan Chase climb the ladder just by sucking up to the CEO while the actual talent stays stuck in the cubicle...

I mean, I guess it depends on who cares, right? Some people have way more empathy than others when they see everything going to hell.
For instance, I'll be like—ugh, here goes another charity drive for some disease, whatever, people pass away every day anyway.
But then there's someone else who actually gives a damn.
Ugh, I don't even know what smart point I was trying to make... I totally lost my train of thought somewhere in these rambling sentences...

Exactly. I was practically forced into buying a decent car just because people gave me these strange looks whenever I showed up to meetings in my old Fiat... I'm not denying that those kinds of superficial judgments exist, or that much of the world actually functions that way. But for me, the bottom line is doing whatever makes me happy, whereas someone else might find their joy in having every head on the street turn toward them just because they're wearing the latest Prada shirt. It seems ridiculous to me, but for my colleague from Texas, that kind of thing triggers this deep-seated urge for destruction—not physical violence, mind you, but a psychological compulsion that stems from his own issues, even if the root of it is a societal one...
I see those as two completely different issues... I find myself recoiling at the sheer amount of nonsense in this society—everything from trashy reality TV and Big Brother to the gambling, drinking, and obsession with football... everyone eventually encounters things in their environment that clash with their own core values, so it really just comes down to whether they have the strength of character to handle it... some people will recognize the problem but refuse to let it compromise who they are, while others will simply "blend in" to survive, and some will just spiral into depression...
I’ve finally found my balance, and honestly, I’m at peace with it... It’s just one of those ridiculous ironies where I felt forced to buy a car just so people wouldn't judge me during business meetings, yet now that I actually have one, I'm landing better jobs and finding myself with enough extra cash to donate to charity... Life is just one long series of messed up situations like that... 🙂

While some people are busy chasing nothing, the things that actually matter are just going to be left behind...

What holds true for you and me might mean absolutely nothing to someone else... I try my best not to lecture people on their own values, but I see certain folks in this group doing exactly that, and not in a way that actually fixes anything, just in a rather destructive sort of fashion. We can only really influence things through the tools we actually have—raising our kids right and keeping our own heads straight. Everything else is just an illusion, at least for us regular people who aren't sitting on a billion dollars... I gave up on trying to save the world a long time ago, and now I just focus on making sure my own life and the lives of those close to me are a little bit better. It seems perfectly possible to find some happiness within the system as it stands...

It’s happening every single day, and we just sit here watching it unfold right in front of us...
It’s funny how you watch decent people just stall out while the sycophants and the thieves seem to be basking in the sun... like seeing some corporate climber at a Fortune 500 company leapfrog over everyone just because they know how to kiss the CEO's ring...

We really ought to start pulling the levers on some legal mechanisms to actually prosecute things like corporate looting and predatory privatization... though from what I can gather here, people just seem to get nauseated whenever they see someone who looks well-dressed and actually has a smile on their face...

honestly, I don't get why people take offense when someone points out the world is falling apart, it's just how much empathy some people carry...
for instance, if I say—yeah, here we go again with another charity drive for some disease, I just can't bring myself to care since people are dying every single day anyway...
well, for some people, it actually matters.

Anyone with half a brain is going to recognize when things are broken, and anyone with a shred of heart will try to push back against injustice and suffering, at least until they have to prioritize their own interests over everything else... but I suppose that wasn't really the point here.

P.S. maybe try mentioning who you're replying to next time

Noah Sanchez7 said:You just don't get it..

Oh, I get it, kid, believe me... I've spent far too much time watching frustrated kids act like they're at war with the entire world, convinced that everything around them is a personal insult.
You really think you're the first one to come along with this kind of whining? 🙂

Noah Sanchez7 said:Look, some people actually have empathy. They're called empathetic people. You clearly aren't one of them, but I am. I just care about you and your well-being!
Because you don't give a damn about anyone else; you only look out for yourself. (That's how you put it above.)
What can I say? You chose the easy way out, and clearly, it's working out fine for you.

I didn't say that—don't twist my words. I said I couldn't care less about you, mainly because I don't see why I should be concerned with someone who feels sorry for me just because they see me working in my boss's department while judging my every move. I'm not sure how to make this simple for you... I just have no desire to waste my energy on you, just as you seem intent on wasting your negativity on me. You've chosen your path, and from what I can tell, you aren't looking for any help, nor do you want mine... It feels like you've cast yourself as the center of the universe, expecting everyone to revolve around you, which is probably why you started this whole thread in the first place.
If you were some starving kid trying to get through college without a cent to your name, maybe I'd actually bother trying to help you out. But as far as I can see, you're perfectly content with your life and your own little set of values... good for you, I guess, but I don't see why that involves me. Maybe if I ever find myself with nothing better to do than obsess over other people's lives like it's some cheap daytime soap opera...
Do you see the distinction now?

What can I even say? You took the easy way out, and apparently, it was "good for you"...

Yeah, I'm thrilled with how things are going...

Noah Sanchez7 said:Ha! Honestly, I don't even care if people get to know me. That's reserved for the few I actually choose to let in.
I'm not naive, but I'm probably green. And as for being insecure? Yeah, that's definitely true.
I view reality as having two sides: subjective and objective. You could think of subjective as East and objective as West.
When it comes to those two sides, I'm certainly green on one, but quite mature on the other.
Look, when I commit to something, I go all in, which means I neglect other areas (where I am definitely too naive). I dedicate myself to searching for truth, meaning, and the core essence of our existence. I think I'd be wrong to say "my" existence, so I say "our."
I "don't have the time" to earn my own bread, so I eat someone else's. So I'm green there, but on the flip side, I compensate for that bread.
So, if you look at me from the perspective of a normal person just trying to make a living, I'm just a loser and a parasite. But it's not true that I've never been part of that world.
I was part of that world once, but then a question popped up. Existence is fine, but for what? Because existing just for the sake of existing makes no sense to me.
That's why I left "that life" behind to go looking for more concrete answers.
Another thing: many people are caught up in this worldly struggle for existence, but they aren't being true to themselves. They never set out on their own path to begin with. For them, every day is a grind.
My philosophy and life motto isn't "life is suffering," even though it sure looks that way sometimes.
So, I took my time, and looked around..

Whether there’s an inherent meaning to it all is a deep philosophical rabbit hole, though I find myself agreeing that existence without a purpose feels entirely hollow...

But I wonder how you’re defining existence here—are we talking about the grand cosmic "why are we even here" type of thing, or just the practical side, like securing enough resources to actually survive...