What's your overall philosophy on life?

People say this aphorism belongs to Metrodorus, a close friend of Epicurus:

"Fate, I’ve already prepared for you; I’ve blocked every sneaky way you might try to slip in. We won't surrender like captives to you or any other circumstance. But when necessity forces our hand, we’ll spit on life and everyone who clings to it for nothing, leaving it behind with a noble song of victory, shouting at the very end—We lived a good life."

So, what’s your take? Do you believe in fate, or do you side with Metrodorus and think life is its own complete, self-contained value?

Walt Whitman hits the nail on the head in his work "Herostratus":

".........The pace of our lives is so sluggish that we don't even feel old by forty. Vehicle speeds have robbed our souls of their momentum. We live such slow lives that boredom becomes inevitable. Life has turned into a sleepy rural zone. We aren't actually doing enough, yet we pretend we're overworked. We just rush from one unproductive point to another and call it the frantic pace of modern life. But it isn't a feverish speed; it’s the speed of a lazy stroll. Modern life is just agitated idleness—an escape from meaningful movement through sheer chaos."

🙂🙂🙂

I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, which basically means nothing is just some random fluke.
Another thing is that we usually can't wrap our heads around those reasons right away. If you actually bother to pay attention to your own life, everything starts to click and make sense. I've lived enough years now to look back at my own history and the path my kids have taken—for instance, looking at how things played out with our moves across the States—and honestly, everything that went down had its purpose.

Look, I don't buy into fate, karma, or what the stars are doing, but I do believe we end up with exactly what we expected or wanted, whether we realize it or not. Whether we actually deserve what we have (or what we're lacking) is really just an individual's struggle to deal with. At the end of the day, we're all constantly impacting one another.

silverraven7 said:I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, which basically means nothing is just some random fluke.
Another thing is that we usually can't wrap our heads around those reasons right away. If you actually bother to pay attention to your own life, everything starts to click and make sense. I've lived enough years now to look back at my own history and the path my kids have taken—for instance, looking at how things played out with our moves across the States—and honestly, everything that went down had its purpose.

Look, I don't buy into fate, karma, or what the stars are doing, but I do believe we end up with exactly what we expected or wanted, whether we realize it or not. Whether we actually deserve what we have (or what we're lacking) is really just an individual's struggle to deal with. At the end of the day, we're all constantly impacting one another.

If destiny exists, then free will is a myth. Everything is preordained; you act, but you aren't really choosing... human agency vanishes if fate is real.

I believe in a certain purpose that must be fulfilled. It will happen, one way or another... observing both humanity and the higher powers.
Of course, living a life "without destiny" is a bit... that kind of existence doesn't give us enough "significance," so people tend to view things through rose-colored glasses of fate. We attribute major life turning points to destiny while ignoring the tiny moments.

Partial determinism... 🤣
No one has the answer, but my philosophy is simple: "Since I'm already here, why not?"
In any case, Metrodorus "wins"—meaning fate wins if it exists. If it doesn't, well, at least he tried. "Why not"... 🙂

I’m a believer in fate, more or less.

But that gray area in between? I think we own that part.

I’ve always been big on spontaneity. I try my best to keep things unpredictable, even when the daily grind of a 9-to-5 tries to force me into a rigid routine.

Life is good. 🙂 Unwritten 🙂

Mark Torres14 said:People say this aphorism belongs to Metrodorus, a close friend of Epicurus:

"Fate, I’ve already prepared for you; I’ve blocked every sneaky way you might try to slip in. We won't surrender like captives to you or any other circumstance. But when necessity forces our hand, we’ll spit on life and everyone who clings to it for nothing, leaving it behind with a noble song of victory, shouting at the very end—We lived a good life."

So, what’s your take? Do you believe in fate, or do you side with Metrodorus and think life is its own complete, self-contained value?

It seems obvious that Metodore was a Klingon. For him, life isn't some self-sufficient concept, but rather just an opportunity for a decent fight.

Mark Torres14 said:Walt Whitman hits the nail on the head in his work "Herostratus":

".........The pace of our lives is so sluggish that we don't even feel old by forty. Vehicle speeds have robbed our souls of their momentum. We live such slow lives that boredom becomes inevitable. Life has turned into a sleepy rural zone. We aren't actually doing enough, yet we pretend we're overworked. We just rush from one unproductive point to another and call it the frantic pace of modern life. But it isn't a feverish speed; it’s the speed of a lazy stroll. Modern life is just agitated idleness—an escape from meaningful movement through sheer chaos."

🙂🙂🙂

And here we have this prematurely aged depressive, just wallowing in boredom...



Life is something sweet, fragrant, tasty, light, fleeting, and ultimately devoid of any actual meaning or purpose....

There is a bowl sitting right in front of you,
you enjoy eating those cherries,
and every single time, you spit out a pit....

and so it goes, one by one, until you've eaten and spat them all out.

Fate... is it something like I’m here for a reason, but I haven't figured out why just yet? Or maybe it's more like Event A happened because of Event B, which was triggered by Event C, so obviously fate is responsible for me landing at Point X—which is really just the sum of all those various fated moments? No thanks... feels a bit too religious for my taste (:

Jokes aside... I hate labeling things as "fate." There's this risk that I take some totally mundane occurrence during a tragicomic moment and slap the title of "destiny" on it, only to realize a second later that I've assigned it way too much weight. I end up ruining whatever small joy that moment could have given me just because I decided it was significant. Because "fate" sounds so overblown. Too heavy, too cold. Honestly, a little megalomaniacal. On the other hand... calling something a coincidence? That feels warm and sweet. It feels kind. It feels lucky. Like... if something wonderful happens to me, out of everyone else in the world, I can just enjoy that random moment or that accidental gift without being weighed down by questions about why it chose me or what the cosmic repercussions might be.

And honestly, "coincidence" sounds better even when things go south. What if something bad happens? If I start wondering who I offended or what I did to deserve being punished with such nonsense? Or worse, using "fate" as an excuse to justify someone's bad behavior—claiming they just had to suffer through it that way because it was meant to be? Give me a break... (:

Chris Williams said:It seems obvious that Metodore was a Klingon. For him, life isn't some self-sufficient concept, but rather just an opportunity for a decent fight.

Why fight?
The whole ideal of their school was to "live unnoticed."
The truth is, fate exists simply because we’re all mortal and we all have an expiration date. Metrodor just stripped fate of any power over him.
Basically, pure atheism.😉

Chris Williams said:And here we have this prematurely aged depressive, just wallowing in boredom...

Life is just a bowl of cherries

Life is something sweet, fragrant, tasty, light, fleeting, and ultimately devoid of any actual meaning or purpose....

There is a bowl sitting right in front of you,
you enjoy eating those cherries,
and every single time, you spit out a pit....

and so it goes, one by one, until you've eaten and spat them all out.

So... was he depressed? Who knows. But he kept insisting that someone living in the Renaissance had a way better quality of life than we do today.
Anyway, why is everyone living life at such a frantic pace lately?

Life's a peach.

Life is sweet, fragrant, delicious, light, fleeting, and completely devoid of any actual meaning or purpose.

There's that bowl sitting right in front of you.
Savoring those cherries, are we?
You spit out a pit every single time...

One by one. Just keep going until you've swallowed it all and spat out the remains.

👍

I’d just add a little more Hajja to the mix.

I know I’m going to die one day—no doubt about it.
That’s exactly why I don't give a damn about dying.
I feel like I was dropped into this world with a heavy debt on my soul.
Whenever she wants me back, I'm ready and waiting!

Either.

I'm standing here in a dive bar, right next to the wine and the guy playing music.
I’d give anything for those two. They're my everything.
I’ve got zero hope for mercy, and I sure as hell don't fear the punishment.
Wind, earth, fire, water—I'm not afraid of any of it!

Mark Torres14 said:Walt Whitman hits the nail on the head in his work "Herostratus":

".........The pace of our lives is so sluggish that we don't even feel old by forty. Vehicle speeds have robbed our souls of their momentum. We live such slow lives that boredom becomes inevitable. Life has turned into a sleepy rural zone. We aren't actually doing enough, yet we pretend we're overworked. We just rush from one unproductive point to another and call it the frantic pace of modern life. But it isn't a feverish speed; it’s the speed of a lazy stroll. Modern life is just agitated idleness—an escape from meaningful movement through sheer chaos."

🙂🙂🙂

That T. S. Eliot guy was a total dreamer—I can barely find a second to catch my breath, let alone fall into a poetic depression. I spend my days sprinting from Point A to Point B without actually accomplishing anything meaningful, all just to collect those colorful slips of paper that I then trade—in the most basic way possible—for the groceries needed to feed my wife and two kids.

So much for this "speed of modern life." You don't have enough time to actually make a living for yourself and your family, so you end up racing like a maniac from one job to the next. "Agitated idleness," my ass. For some corporate middle manager or a "philosopher" living off a lifetime pension, maybe. For regular people, this hustle is the only way to survive—and frankly, today's grind is probably incomparable to the "grind" back in his day.

Anyway, T. S. Eliot is just rambling. Did he even have kids? 😁

Mark Torres14 said:People say this aphorism belongs to Metrodorus, a close friend of Epicurus:

"Fate, I’ve already prepared for you; I’ve blocked every sneaky way you might try to slip in. We won't surrender like captives to you or any other circumstance. But when necessity forces our hand, we’ll spit on life and everyone who clings to it for nothing, leaving it behind with a noble song of victory, shouting at the very end—We lived a good life."

So, what’s your take? Do you believe in fate, or do you side with Metrodorus and think life is its own complete, self-contained value?

That’s a logical bifurcation right there—it’s an either-or fallacy. You've framed the question pretty poorly...

Michael Anderson2 said:That T. S. Eliot guy was a total dreamer—I can barely find a second to catch my breath, let alone fall into a poetic depression. I spend my days sprinting from Point A to Point B without actually accomplishing anything meaningful, all just to collect those colorful slips of paper that I then trade—in the most basic way possible—for the groceries needed to feed my wife and two kids.

So much for this "speed of modern life." You don't have enough time to actually make a living for yourself and your family, so you end up racing like a maniac from one job to the next. "Agitated idleness," my ass. For some corporate middle manager or a "philosopher" living off a lifetime pension, maybe. For regular people, this hustle is the only way to survive—and frankly, today's grind is probably incomparable to the "grind" back in his day.

Anyway, T. S. Eliot is just rambling. Did he even have kids? 😁

That’s a logical bifurcation right there—it’s an either-or fallacy. You've framed the question pretty poorly...

Oh... Fernando is Fernando. 🙂 I'm sure that wasn't nonsense.
Why are you rushing? Why the hurry? How much of that colored paper do you actually need to earn before it's "enough"? Besides, is the whole point of living really just chasing money?
I have three kids. And I've noticed that the more I give them, the more they demand. When I say I don't have it, they start citing their "rights."
Have you noticed how everyone has "rights" these days? Dogs become heirs to massive fortunes, cartoon characters are protected by law, you can't even yell at your kids anymore, and any unstable person can claim their right to kill even more kids or stand outside your window screaming and protesting.

That’s a logical bifurcation. What do you mean "either-or"? Your question is poorly framed...

Where exactly did you see a question?😕🤷

Mark Torres14 said:Oh... Fernando is Fernando. 🙂 I'm sure that wasn't nonsense.
Why are you rushing? Why the hurry? How much of that colored paper do you actually need to earn before it's "enough"? Besides, is the whole point of living really just chasing money?
I have three kids. And I've noticed that the more I give them, the more they demand. When I say I don't have it, they start citing their "rights."
Have you noticed how everyone has "rights" these days? Dogs become heirs to massive fortunes, cartoon characters are protected by law, you can't even yell at your kids anymore, and any unstable person can claim their right to kill even more kids or stand outside your window screaming and protesting.

That’s a logical bifurcation. What do you mean "either-or"? Your question is poorly framed...

Where exactly did you see a question?😕🤷

I need enough just to cover the basics—rent, utilities, groceries, water, maybe some decent clothes. That’s the bottom line. Once you start looking at those numbers, all that high-minded philosophy just goes right out the window. I’m not exactly living in poverty, but I’m certainly not pulling in tycoon money either. At the end of the day, you have to put in the work; if you don't, the competition will absolutely crush you.

Mark Torres14 said:Oh... Fernando is Fernando. 🙂 I'm sure that wasn't nonsense.
Why are you rushing? Why the hurry? How much of that colored paper do you actually need to earn before it's "enough"? Besides, is the whole point of living really just chasing money?
I have three kids. And I've noticed that the more I give them, the more they demand. When I say I don't have it, they start citing their "rights."
Have you noticed how everyone has "rights" these days? Dogs become heirs to massive fortunes, cartoon characters are protected by law, you can't even yell at your kids anymore, and any unstable person can claim their right to kill even more kids or stand outside your window screaming and protesting.

That’s a logical bifurcation. What do you mean "either-or"? Your question is poorly framed...

Where exactly did you see a question?😕🤷

It’s just the two of us, and as they get older, the expenses keep climbing—it feels like a runaway train. What am I supposed to do at this point? Am I really expected to sit them down and tell them to drop out of school or something?

Mark Torres14 said:Oh... Fernando is Fernando. 🙂 I'm sure that wasn't nonsense.
Why are you rushing? Why the hurry? How much of that colored paper do you actually need to earn before it's "enough"? Besides, is the whole point of living really just chasing money?
I have three kids. And I've noticed that the more I give them, the more they demand. When I say I don't have it, they start citing their "rights."
Have you noticed how everyone has "rights" these days? Dogs become heirs to massive fortunes, cartoon characters are protected by law, you can't even yell at your kids anymore, and any unstable person can claim their right to kill even more kids or stand outside your window screaming and protesting.

That’s a logical bifurcation. What do you mean "either-or"? Your question is poorly framed...

Where exactly did you see a question?😕🤷

It’s better for everyone to have rights than for absolutely no one to have them, don't you think?

Mark Torres14 said:Oh... Fernando is Fernando. 🙂 I'm sure that wasn't nonsense.
Why are you rushing? Why the hurry? How much of that colored paper do you actually need to earn before it's "enough"? Besides, is the whole point of living really just chasing money?
I have three kids. And I've noticed that the more I give them, the more they demand. When I say I don't have it, they start citing their "rights."
Have you noticed how everyone has "rights" these days? Dogs become heirs to massive fortunes, cartoon characters are protected by law, you can't even yell at your kids anymore, and any unstable person can claim their right to kill even more kids or stand outside your window screaming and protesting.

That’s a logical bifurcation. What do you mean "either-or"? Your question is poorly framed...

Where exactly did you see a question?😕🤷

Growing up, I was always taught that a question mark at the end of a sentence actually meant you were asking a question...☕

Mark Torres14 said:People say this aphorism belongs to Metrodorus, a close friend of Epicurus:

"Fate, I’ve already prepared for you; I’ve blocked every sneaky way you might try to slip in. We won't surrender like captives to you or any other circumstance. But when necessity forces our hand, we’ll spit on life and everyone who clings to it for nothing, leaving it behind with a noble song of victory, shouting at the very end—We lived a good life."

So, what’s your take? Do you believe in fate, or do you side with Metrodorus and think life is its own complete, self-contained value?

Michael Anderson2 said:I need enough just to cover the basics—rent, utilities, groceries, water, maybe some decent clothes. That’s the bottom line. Once you start looking at those numbers, all that high-minded philosophy just goes right out the window. I’m not exactly living in poverty, but I’m certainly not pulling in tycoon money either. At the end of the day, you have to put in the work; if you don't, the competition will absolutely crush you.

It’s just the two of us, and as they get older, the expenses keep climbing—it feels like a runaway train. What am I supposed to do at this point? Am I really expected to sit them down and tell them to drop out of school or something?

It’s better for everyone to have rights than for absolutely no one to have them, don't you think?

Growing up, I was always taught that a question mark at the end of a sentence actually meant you were asking a question...☕

Take it from the cat in Kafka's "Little Red Riding Hood."

I've got two kids, and as soon as they grow, the costs skyrocket. So what now? Am I supposed to tell them to drop out of school or something?

Not a bad idea, right?👍
I worked while I was in college. Why can't she?

Isn't it better for everyone to have rights than for nobody to have any? Agree?

If everyone has everything, then nobody actually has anything. You following me?

They taught me that a question mark at the end of a sentence means it's a question...☕

Not every question mark is a question.🙂😉🙂

Mark Torres14 said:Take it from the cat in Kafka's "Little Red Riding Hood."

I've got two kids, and as soon as they grow, the costs skyrocket. So what now? Am I supposed to tell them to drop out of school or something?

Not a bad idea, right?👍
I worked while I was in college. Why can't she?

Isn't it better for everyone to have rights than for nobody to have any? Agree?

If everyone has everything, then nobody actually has anything. You following me?

They taught me that a question mark at the end of a sentence means it's a question...☕

Not every question mark is a question.🙂😉🙂

😕 So, you want me to just run the other way? Into what? Poverty, asceticism, or some sort of monk-like existence?

Mark Torres14 said:Take it from the cat in Kafka's "Little Red Riding Hood."

I've got two kids, and as soon as they grow, the costs skyrocket. So what now? Am I supposed to tell them to drop out of school or something?

Not a bad idea, right?👍
I worked while I was in college. Why can't she?

Isn't it better for everyone to have rights than for nobody to have any? Agree?

If everyone has everything, then nobody actually has anything. You following me?

They taught me that a question mark at the end of a sentence means it's a question...☕

Not every question mark is a question.🙂😉🙂

She isn't even in college yet—she's still in high school, and her sibling is barely out of preschool...😉

Mark Torres14 said:Take it from the cat in Kafka's "Little Red Riding Hood."

I've got two kids, and as soon as they grow, the costs skyrocket. So what now? Am I supposed to tell them to drop out of school or something?

Not a bad idea, right?👍
I worked while I was in college. Why can't she?

Isn't it better for everyone to have rights than for nobody to have any? Agree?

If everyone has everything, then nobody actually has anything. You following me?

They taught me that a question mark at the end of a sentence means it's a question...☕

Not every question mark is a question.🙂😉🙂

Not quite. Everyone needs rights, or more accurately, everyone deserves equal rights. If everyone were granted every single right (whatever that even implies), then effectively, no one would have any rights at all.

Mark Torres14 said:Take it from the cat in Kafka's "Little Red Riding Hood."

I've got two kids, and as soon as they grow, the costs skyrocket. So what now? Am I supposed to tell them to drop out of school or something?

Not a bad idea, right?👍
I worked while I was in college. Why can't she?

Isn't it better for everyone to have rights than for nobody to have any? Agree?

If everyone has everything, then nobody actually has anything. You following me?

They taught me that a question mark at the end of a sentence means it's a question...☕

Not every question mark is a question.🙂😉🙂

Then what is it? An exclamation point? Is it a choice between believing in fate or viewing life as a self-contained value—or is that just a false dilemma?

What was your actual point? 😁

Michael Anderson2 said:😕 So, you want me to just run the other way? Into what? Poverty, asceticism, or some sort of monk-like existence?

She isn't even in college yet—she's still in high school, and her sibling is barely out of preschool...😉

Not quite. Everyone needs rights, or more accurately, everyone deserves equal rights. If everyone were granted every single right (whatever that even implies), then effectively, no one would have any rights at all.

Then what is it? An exclamation point? Is it a choice between believing in fate or viewing life as a self-contained value—or is that just a false dilemma?

What was your actual point? 😁

You’re already broke. And you will be again.
Think about how much time you actually have for yourself every day.
Besides, there are plenty of ways to change course. Poverty is a state of mind.
Here’s a tip.
Stop watching TV.

Not even in college yet, just high school, and the other one is still in daycare...😉

Must be nice. My kids are grown and nobody leaves the house.
I get the feeling they think my wife and I were born specifically to fix their problems until the day we die.

Not at all. Everyone needs rights—or better yet, everyone needs equal rights. If everyone had all rights (whatever that implies), then realistically, nobody would have any rights left.

Margaret Thatcher’s biggest gripe with the French Revolution was that the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" included the word "equality." Equality doesn't exist, so "equal rights" don't exist either.
What's a right to me might be an infringement on your freedom, and vice versa.
Everything needs limits, including rights.

So what's the catch? Is it a question of "either/or"—either we believe in fate, or the idea that life is a "complete and self-contained value" is just a false dilemma.

Look at the phrase "complete and self-contained value." It means a value that only matters while you're alive. Once you're gone, it's worthless. In short, death doesn't exist. So if it doesn't exist, why fear it?

What are you actually trying to ask? 😁

I wasn't asking anything, I was just curious about how people view life.
For instance, I find that Hajjamov idea about being entrusted with a soul interesting.
Why is there a "you" instead of someone else?😁

Mark Torres14 said:You’re already broke. And you will be again.
Think about how much time you actually have for yourself every day.
Besides, there are plenty of ways to change course. Poverty is a state of mind.
Here’s a tip.
Stop watching TV.

Not even in college yet, just high school, and the other one is still in daycare...😉

Must be nice. My kids are grown and nobody leaves the house.
I get the feeling they think my wife and I were born specifically to fix their problems until the day we die.

Not at all. Everyone needs rights—or better yet, everyone needs equal rights. If everyone had all rights (whatever that implies), then realistically, nobody would have any rights left.

Margaret Thatcher’s biggest gripe with the French Revolution was that the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" included the word "equality." Equality doesn't exist, so "equal rights" don't exist either.
What's a right to me might be an infringement on your freedom, and vice versa.
Everything needs limits, including rights.

So what's the catch? Is it a question of "either/or"—either we believe in fate, or the idea that life is a "complete and self-contained value" is just a false dilemma.

Look at the phrase "complete and self-contained value." It means a value that only matters while you're alive. Once you're gone, it's worthless. In short, death doesn't exist. So if it doesn't exist, why fear it?

What are you actually trying to ask? 😁

I wasn't asking anything, I was just curious about how people view life.
For instance, I find that Hajjamov idea about being entrusted with a soul interesting.
Why is there a "you" instead of someone else?😁

On the contrary, death is the only thing that truly exists. It is the ultimate, immutable truth—the Great Equalizer. It stands over everything we have built, every ambition we chased, and every effort we made, only to spit in our faces with a smirk and say, "It was all for nothing."

Jacob Mitchell3 said:On the contrary, death is the only thing that truly exists. It is the ultimate, immutable truth—the Great Equalizer. It stands over everything we have built, every ambition we chased, and every effort we made, only to spit in our faces with a smirk and say, "It was all for nothing."

For who exactly?
Are you telling me there’s zero point in living a meaningful life?
So, working hard and acting right doesn't matter because, per your logic, death is this great equalizer that wipes the slate clean.
But you and I aren't equal. Not even in death.
Death is a strictly individual reality. Concepts like equality, volume, or what people call "fate" don't apply here.🙂

Mark Torres14 said:For who exactly?
Are you telling me there’s zero point in living a meaningful life?
So, working hard and acting right doesn't matter because, per your logic, death is this great equalizer that wipes the slate clean.
But you and I aren't equal. Not even in death.
Death is a strictly individual reality. Concepts like equality, volume, or what people call "fate" don't apply here.🙂

We are all intimately aware that death exists, and it is the sole thing we truly fear. Every other anxiety we harbor is merely a shadow cast by that primary terror. Nothing in this existence commands as much reverence as death.
Since death acts as the ultimate sovereign of this world, it levels everything living beneath its heel, regardless of our perceived status or worth. To us, being human, certain lives carry more weight than others, but to death, everything is equally worthless.
It is entirely inconsequential how one chooses to live, because eventually, that consciousness—the entire treasury of thoughts and emotions an individual carries—will vanish as if it had never existed at all.

Life is banal, which is precisely why it never feels like enough. We spend our days hoping, searching, and waiting. Yet, nothing ever happens ( Godot does not come ). And then, we die. Those left behind simply resume their mundane routines and trivial pursuits. The dead are quickly forgotten.

Mark Torres14 said:You’re already broke. And you will be again.
Think about how much time you actually have for yourself every day.
Besides, there are plenty of ways to change course. Poverty is a state of mind.
Here’s a tip.
Stop watching TV.

Not even in college yet, just high school, and the other one is still in daycare...😉

Must be nice. My kids are grown and nobody leaves the house.
I get the feeling they think my wife and I were born specifically to fix their problems until the day we die.

Not at all. Everyone needs rights—or better yet, everyone needs equal rights. If everyone had all rights (whatever that implies), then realistically, nobody would have any rights left.

Margaret Thatcher’s biggest gripe with the French Revolution was that the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" included the word "equality." Equality doesn't exist, so "equal rights" don't exist either.
What's a right to me might be an infringement on your freedom, and vice versa.
Everything needs limits, including rights.

So what's the catch? Is it a question of "either/or"—either we believe in fate, or the idea that life is a "complete and self-contained value" is just a false dilemma.

Look at the phrase "complete and self-contained value." It means a value that only matters while you're alive. Once you're gone, it's worthless. In short, death doesn't exist. So if it doesn't exist, why fear it?

What are you actually trying to ask? 😁

I wasn't asking anything, I was just curious about how people view life.
For instance, I find that Hajjamov idea about being entrusted with a soul interesting.
Why is there a "you" instead of someone else?😁

I have to say, I'm inclined to agree with you. That leads me to the conclusion that there are different types of wealth—and different types of poverty, too. Is one kind of poverty better than the others? Personally, I think it is: material poverty is the absolute worst; it’s the kind where people literally starve. So, what am I choosing between here—being short on time or being short on cash?

Mark Torres14 said:You’re already broke. And you will be again.
Think about how much time you actually have for yourself every day.
Besides, there are plenty of ways to change course. Poverty is a state of mind.
Here’s a tip.
Stop watching TV.

Not even in college yet, just high school, and the other one is still in daycare...😉

Must be nice. My kids are grown and nobody leaves the house.
I get the feeling they think my wife and I were born specifically to fix their problems until the day we die.

Not at all. Everyone needs rights—or better yet, everyone needs equal rights. If everyone had all rights (whatever that implies), then realistically, nobody would have any rights left.

Margaret Thatcher’s biggest gripe with the French Revolution was that the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" included the word "equality." Equality doesn't exist, so "equal rights" don't exist either.
What's a right to me might be an infringement on your freedom, and vice versa.
Everything needs limits, including rights.

So what's the catch? Is it a question of "either/or"—either we believe in fate, or the idea that life is a "complete and self-contained value" is just a false dilemma.

Look at the phrase "complete and self-contained value." It means a value that only matters while you're alive. Once you're gone, it's worthless. In short, death doesn't exist. So if it doesn't exist, why fear it?

What are you actually trying to ask? 😁

I wasn't asking anything, I was just curious about how people view life.
For instance, I find that Hajjamov idea about being entrusted with a soul interesting.
Why is there a "you" instead of someone else?😁

What does "poverty is a state of mind" actually mean? Go ask the kids in Somalia about spiritual poverty. Or you don't even have to go that far—just look around at the local welfare office... Care to elaborate?

Mark Torres14 said:You’re already broke. And you will be again.
Think about how much time you actually have for yourself every day.
Besides, there are plenty of ways to change course. Poverty is a state of mind.
Here’s a tip.
Stop watching TV.

Not even in college yet, just high school, and the other one is still in daycare...😉

Must be nice. My kids are grown and nobody leaves the house.
I get the feeling they think my wife and I were born specifically to fix their problems until the day we die.

Not at all. Everyone needs rights—or better yet, everyone needs equal rights. If everyone had all rights (whatever that implies), then realistically, nobody would have any rights left.

Margaret Thatcher’s biggest gripe with the French Revolution was that the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" included the word "equality." Equality doesn't exist, so "equal rights" don't exist either.
What's a right to me might be an infringement on your freedom, and vice versa.
Everything needs limits, including rights.

So what's the catch? Is it a question of "either/or"—either we believe in fate, or the idea that life is a "complete and self-contained value" is just a false dilemma.

Look at the phrase "complete and self-contained value." It means a value that only matters while you're alive. Once you're gone, it's worthless. In short, death doesn't exist. So if it doesn't exist, why fear it?

What are you actually trying to ask? 😁

I wasn't asking anything, I was just curious about how people view life.
For instance, I find that Hajjamov idea about being entrusted with a soul interesting.
Why is there a "you" instead of someone else?😁

😂
I haven't touched the TV in years. What next—unplug the internet too? How am I supposed to stay informed? Does a person even need information in this day and age? Am I supposed to just retreat into some cave somewhere?

Mark Torres14 said:You’re already broke. And you will be again.
Think about how much time you actually have for yourself every day.
Besides, there are plenty of ways to change course. Poverty is a state of mind.
Here’s a tip.
Stop watching TV.

Not even in college yet, just high school, and the other one is still in daycare...😉

Must be nice. My kids are grown and nobody leaves the house.
I get the feeling they think my wife and I were born specifically to fix their problems until the day we die.

Not at all. Everyone needs rights—or better yet, everyone needs equal rights. If everyone had all rights (whatever that implies), then realistically, nobody would have any rights left.

Margaret Thatcher’s biggest gripe with the French Revolution was that the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" included the word "equality." Equality doesn't exist, so "equal rights" don't exist either.
What's a right to me might be an infringement on your freedom, and vice versa.
Everything needs limits, including rights.

So what's the catch? Is it a question of "either/or"—either we believe in fate, or the idea that life is a "complete and self-contained value" is just a false dilemma.

Look at the phrase "complete and self-contained value." It means a value that only matters while you're alive. Once you're gone, it's worthless. In short, death doesn't exist. So if it doesn't exist, why fear it?

What are you actually trying to ask? 😁

I wasn't asking anything, I was just curious about how people view life.
For instance, I find that Hajjamov idea about being entrusted with a soul interesting.
Why is there a "you" instead of someone else?😁

Whose fault is that? Theirs or yours?

Mark Torres14 said:You’re already broke. And you will be again.
Think about how much time you actually have for yourself every day.
Besides, there are plenty of ways to change course. Poverty is a state of mind.
Here’s a tip.
Stop watching TV.

Not even in college yet, just high school, and the other one is still in daycare...😉

Must be nice. My kids are grown and nobody leaves the house.
I get the feeling they think my wife and I were born specifically to fix their problems until the day we die.

Not at all. Everyone needs rights—or better yet, everyone needs equal rights. If everyone had all rights (whatever that implies), then realistically, nobody would have any rights left.

Margaret Thatcher’s biggest gripe with the French Revolution was that the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" included the word "equality." Equality doesn't exist, so "equal rights" don't exist either.
What's a right to me might be an infringement on your freedom, and vice versa.
Everything needs limits, including rights.

So what's the catch? Is it a question of "either/or"—either we believe in fate, or the idea that life is a "complete and self-contained value" is just a false dilemma.

Look at the phrase "complete and self-contained value." It means a value that only matters while you're alive. Once you're gone, it's worthless. In short, death doesn't exist. So if it doesn't exist, why fear it?

What are you actually trying to ask? 😁

I wasn't asking anything, I was just curious about how people view life.
For instance, I find that Hajjamov idea about being entrusted with a soul interesting.
Why is there a "you" instead of someone else?😁

To even have this debate, we’d need to define our terms first. What does "equality" actually mean? It’s obvious we aren't all equal in a physical or mental sense, but we ought to be equal under the law, regardless of what those rights look like. Sure, rights have to be bounded by some kind of social contract, but they should apply to everyone—why shouldn't everyone be equal when it comes to their rights?

Mark Torres14 said:You’re already broke. And you will be again.
Think about how much time you actually have for yourself every day.
Besides, there are plenty of ways to change course. Poverty is a state of mind.
Here’s a tip.
Stop watching TV.

Not even in college yet, just high school, and the other one is still in daycare...😉

Must be nice. My kids are grown and nobody leaves the house.
I get the feeling they think my wife and I were born specifically to fix their problems until the day we die.

Not at all. Everyone needs rights—or better yet, everyone needs equal rights. If everyone had all rights (whatever that implies), then realistically, nobody would have any rights left.

Margaret Thatcher’s biggest gripe with the French Revolution was that the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" included the word "equality." Equality doesn't exist, so "equal rights" don't exist either.
What's a right to me might be an infringement on your freedom, and vice versa.
Everything needs limits, including rights.

So what's the catch? Is it a question of "either/or"—either we believe in fate, or the idea that life is a "complete and self-contained value" is just a false dilemma.

Look at the phrase "complete and self-contained value." It means a value that only matters while you're alive. Once you're gone, it's worthless. In short, death doesn't exist. So if it doesn't exist, why fear it?

What are you actually trying to ask? 😁

I wasn't asking anything, I was just curious about how people view life.
For instance, I find that Hajjamov idea about being entrusted with a soul interesting.
Why is there a "you" instead of someone else?😁

So, you're stuck with the dilemma: is life predetermined by fate, or is it just a self-contained value that ends at death? I’m still not following. Even if someone believes in destiny, they still view life as a "self-contained" value, so I don't see where the dilemma lies.

Whether life is predestined or just completely random, it ends in death regardless—and after that, there's nothing, just like there was nothing before you were born...

Fear it or don't, you're going to die anyway, so there's no point worrying about the inevitable. Besides, you were dead for billions of years before you were even born. Of course, that's easier said than done. I'm still working on it myself...😁

Mark Torres14 said:You’re already broke. And you will be again.
Think about how much time you actually have for yourself every day.
Besides, there are plenty of ways to change course. Poverty is a state of mind.
Here’s a tip.
Stop watching TV.

Not even in college yet, just high school, and the other one is still in daycare...😉

Must be nice. My kids are grown and nobody leaves the house.
I get the feeling they think my wife and I were born specifically to fix their problems until the day we die.

Not at all. Everyone needs rights—or better yet, everyone needs equal rights. If everyone had all rights (whatever that implies), then realistically, nobody would have any rights left.

Margaret Thatcher’s biggest gripe with the French Revolution was that the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" included the word "equality." Equality doesn't exist, so "equal rights" don't exist either.
What's a right to me might be an infringement on your freedom, and vice versa.
Everything needs limits, including rights.

So what's the catch? Is it a question of "either/or"—either we believe in fate, or the idea that life is a "complete and self-contained value" is just a false dilemma.

Look at the phrase "complete and self-contained value." It means a value that only matters while you're alive. Once you're gone, it's worthless. In short, death doesn't exist. So if it doesn't exist, why fear it?

What are you actually trying to ask? 😁

I wasn't asking anything, I was just curious about how people view life.
For instance, I find that Hajjamov idea about being entrusted with a soul interesting.
Why is there a "you" instead of someone else?😁

Look, I don't really buy into the whole soul hype (not that you can, when concepts like "souls" are basically just part of the game)—I lean more toward the idea that everything is ultimately One, playing a game through multiplicity. In reality, "I" don't even exist; I'm just a manifestation of the One playing a game...