insight into our actions

[rxbandit]

What is it that drives us as a race to abandon our dreams and hopes and pursue a life of material possession? Every animal on this earths instinctual actions serve the same purpose; to perpetuate survival and procreate, hence advancing their species. How come this basic fact of nature is then looked over in psychology and in our everyday understanding of life?

Security and safety are the driving desires that dictate the modern mans life although through very different ways. Why do we buy nice cars and clothing, could it be these things show off our financial security which could in turn attract a mate that would give us emotional safety as well carry on our blood lines. We stereo type and become racists because it’s safer; what we don’t understand threatens our safety so we set up precautions based on statistics and observations that give us the best percentage of staying static. Why don’t we all just follow our dreams and do what we want? We don’t because we are convinced that working our whole life will provide us to do what we want later in life without the risks and uncertainty of venturing into the unknown unprepared and without assets to fall back on. Even the recent terrorist scare tactics play on this basic want for security and predictability. Security means we have control and this desire drives all of our actions and is manipulated by corporations and governments. Its sad we waste our lives to fear but once we can realize and diagnose our actions we can transcend this need, take chances and enjoy life to the fullest. Our species has the same needs as any other, we just go about obtaining those needs in a much more complex way.

I also would like to point out we seek control of the situations in our lives but all we really have control of is our reactions and emotions in response to the events that happen. When we place expectations that wont get fulfilled on events and others negative emotions arise. Just some food for the thought.

[IHrtHalucingens]

We are a much more complex species than most others so naturally we will do things in a more compicated way. But i understand where your coming from and agree with you. We as humans have to much interest in material things, but thats the way we are and theres not a whole lot any of us can do to change it. So my advice is to just accept it and live your life the way you feel you should. personally i am a functionalist, things that are valuable ot me are those that serve their finction well. Some of these things may be materialistic and impractical but they serve the function that i bought them for. Everyone values different things differently and to each their own.

[Forthesevenlakes]

Originally Posted by IHrtHalucingens

We are a much more complex species than most others so naturally we will do things in a more compicated way. But i understand where your coming from and agree with you. We as humans have to much interest in material things, but thats the way we are and theres not a whole lot any of us can do to change it. So my advice is to just accept it and live your life the way you feel you should. personally i am a functionalist, things that are valuable ot me are those that serve their finction well. Some of these things may be materialistic and impractical but they serve the function that i bought them for. Everyone values different things differently and to each their own.

Thats a pretty sage reply. SWIM has abandoned the idea of wanting to own alot of things, except for a few items which he places value on. However he doesnt expect others to see the same value in these items as he does. Also, he's found that he can get alot more out of a conversation by talking about what people have done in their lives, rather than what they own.

[rxbandit]

yes i agree, if it is not needed whats the point of sacrificing time and effort to obtain it. life is about the experience not what you own. i myself am a transcendental existentialist and i believe exploring and observing our nature and flaws we can overcome the human plights, so i guess this is just an attempt to maybe give a new perspective on your actions. the more angles you can see something from the better overall picture you have, right.

[Forthesevenlakes]

agreed. while not an existentialist, i do have alot of respect for existential thinkers, and have incorporated some of their philosophy as my own. and youre definitely right that the more angles we have on a subject, the better we can see it and reach decisions of our own as to where we stand on it. i'd be interested in hearing the thoughts on someone who disagrees...eg who'd argue for owning stuff being the point of life. it doesnt seem like many people have thought out that viewpoint who hold it, but rather they just sort of fall into that category by buying into advertising, social norms, etc.

[IHrtHalucingens]

"life is about the experience not what you own"

I agree, but what i own makes my life experiences more exciting and memorable. Dont get me wrong i dont buy loads of the new gadgets and electronics, i prefer more simple mechanical things. But i don not mind spending more money than necessarry on my car because it provides me with so many awesome memories and adrenaline rushes.

I dont know maybe im just being short sighted because its me im talking about, but i dont find myself materialistic in the normal sense. The car is the only thing i spend more money than i really have to on, everything else i own is pretty basis and just gets the job needed done.

[Silence_Inc]

life is not to get attached to experience or what you own ...

you can go the wrong way with either one of them.

it's to be completely unattached ... but also in love ... with both.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Very well put! and eye opening

[IHrtHalucingens]

Very insightful! silence inc

[Forthesevenlakes]

Originally Posted by IHrtHalucingens

"life is about the experience not what you own"

I agree, but what i own makes my life experiences more exciting and memorable. Dont get me wrong i dont buy loads of the new gadgets and electronics, i prefer more simple mechanical things. But i don not mind spending more money than necessarry on my car because it provides me with so many awesome memories and adrenaline rushes.

I dont know maybe im just being short sighted because its me im talking about, but i dont find myself materialistic in the normal sense. The car is the only thing i spend more money than i really have to on, everything else i own is pretty basis and just gets the job needed done.

Interesting, i really liked this response. i'm not advocating ditching all material possessions, but i have minimalized mine and it seems to work. i really liked the car thing though, since it demonstrates a pragmatic use of material possessions for experiences (awesome memories, i mean you cant put a price on things like that). okay, i can definitely get behind something like that. i was thinking more "owning things for the sake of owning them", but you made a very good point.

[Forthesevenlakes]

that last message accidentally posted twice, and I cant seem to delete it, but I'd like to add that maybe I should go by what IHrt is saying and drop a bit more money into my own car. It may be time to start street racing to earn money and fame, haha.

[IHrtHalucingens]

Im glad i could get my point accross i wasnt sure how to explain myself.

And as for putting money into your car, go for it, maybe ill see you on the street some time. Just hope you dont have a honda civic or some other kind of ricer, they are great gas efficient reliable cars but are not meant to go fast!!

Lol sorry, im an american muscle fan. Big car, big displacement, big power! ...terrible gas mileage :\ ehh 3 out of 4 aint bad.

[Beeker]

The biggest problem I have with humanity comes from how easy the western cultural model makes everything business as usual. Many can see the flaw in the War and not raise an eyebrow. The big stories are about big oil making huge profits while the common Joe can see the price gouging and the Governent does nothing. This common Joe has no voice and he knows it.

The world's Cultural models are flawed. The signs are very easy to see but almost everyone is common Joe who has a house, two kids, a dog, a wife, and plays golf on Sunday. Joe lives in a golden world of 600 channels. Mention to anyone like Joe that something is wrong with the world's Cultural models and he will think you are off your rocker.

Any Cultural system that can see population problems decades before the problem real and do nothing is flawed.

Any Model that does not leave the Earth the same or in better shape then left for us but sits back and actually makes things far worse in under 1000 years is flawed.



The solution is simple. A complete 180 degree turn in the priorities of humanity (kinda like turning the Titanic with an ore.)

We have the technology to limit population now as well a feed everyone on the planet as well as planned housing systems.

Drop every cultural model on the planet and replace it with a global cultural model.

The fight would be from those who would loose power or control. All forms of religion would need heavy reform like, "You can not attend a church until 14 years of age." Any religion that has had a past of violence would need a powerful re-organization because of the need for control to save souls or whatnot.

Here is where I try to think of a better system then N. Korea, Bush-mooneymoneymoney or Castrol in 20 minutes.

You would need a world with open country borders, new kingdoms that fit better with world cities, and laws (murder in NY the same as Japan.) all funds for war anywhere on the planet would be redirected to other aspects. Schools worldwide would be better funded, free healthcare for everyone. reform to pricing, eveything would be a world market.

To govern this you would need to establish a new set of kindoms. The main power of each kingdom would be given office for life though a violation like taking police or other troops into another kigdom as an act of war would mean instant death to the King or Queen.

These are not rulers by blood and are voted in. The ruler of each kingdom has the task of keeping order threw large provinces and a hiearchy of elders. Food, housing, everything would be supplied but not the labor.

Lets say the world is spit up around climates and renewable resources (not giving this much thought, so I know there are flaws.)

If the ruler of a Kingdom falls into greed or looses sight and the people suffer then a ruler could be exciled, or something besided death.

a large congress of world elders would deliver kingdom law very rarely and probably spend most of the teaching.

After a few hundred years, a cure for aging might be found. Having a Queen who knows her land and people for 500 years would be extremely well versed in situaltions like unprisings from an earthquake.

Reputation Comments on this post:

I agree with all ideas, and I would totally vote you supreme master of earth if one were to ever run such a campaign aft...

[PhoenixOnPhire]

" After a few hundred years, a cure for aging might be found." Why would we want that.. in a perfect world people are born, live a good life, and die.

Lately I have been thinking about my future. I have found the love of my life, and I am only 19. As a human male, my body forces my mind to desire women in general. I desire to spread my seed to as many acceptable mates as possible.

Acceptable mates: Big boobs.. men are generally attracted to large breasts. Think about this for a second. What is so attractive about two protruding fatty buldges? Ablsolutly nothing. But human males seek out mates that can best support our offspring. Large breasts = large milk jugs. More food for our offspring, more chance of life. As far as being skinny.. modern western culture is to blame for that desire, but not entirely. Modern technology has allowed us to live comfortably. In our dwellings, we always have heat or cooling, food, a place to sleep and clean ourselves. Because of this it is no longer nessisary to be fat. (something i picked up in Psych 201) If we do not choose to go against simple desires, or do something to subside them, we do not choose what we do in life. Anyways... we don't need to be fat, but our primal instincual minds tell us: EAT EAT EAT SLEEP FUCK SLEEP EAT EAT EAT.

Friends: When it comes right down to it, who are your friends? I'll tell you. Your friends are those who you are willing to share your food with. This is the same in any pack of animals that are not bonded by blood.

I have alot more to talk about.. if you like where I'm going with this I'll write some more but I'm off for now.

[Beeker]

Originally Posted by PhoenixOnPhire

" After a few hundred years, a cure for aging might be found."

Why would we want that.. in a perfect world people are born, live a good life, and die.

Was thinking much bigger then flying cars and robots on this scifi romp.

Everyone would age and die normally; though I assume that King would want his Queen and Princess' to stop aging (obviously because who wants to be 38 for many centruries with a family that only blinks in and out of 5 to 10% of your life.

in a perfect world people are born, live a good life, and die.

Here is the biggest flaw in the mind of humanity. If your Ego is short on the vision of everyone but itself then you have not perturbed the fabric of conciousness allowing for a split second of complete wall disillusion and ego loss. You can kill for God or hate gay men. if you were then we all share the same agenda for humanity and its goal of the moment.

Having a king for 500-1000+ years is no luxury for the man. However a King that is wise could build a much better kingdom just because history would fail to repeat as often. Add to that if the ruler goes to war for land or lets say, kills 100,000 refugies from some earthquake a kigdom over gets not a trial or jail but instand death and the mortal'ing of the royal family. Checks and ballances for the corrupt monkey.

Lately I have been thinking about my future. I have found the love of my life, and I am only 19. As a human male, my body forces my mind to desire women in general. I desire to spread my seed to as many acceptable mates as possible.

16 to 33 it's been about funbags for ME!!! Though getting a girl pregnant can't be a happy go lucky day for you and your lover.

Also your body is almost 100% I/O and the I/O port is the mind - therfore your mind desires Input on device_funfunjoystick

Acceptable mates: Big boobs.. men are generally attracted to large breasts. Think about this for a second. What is so attractive about two protruding fatty buldges? Ablsolutly nothing. But human males seek out mates that can best support our offspring. Large breasts = large milk jugs. More food for our offspring, more chance of life. As far as being skinny.. modern western culture is to blame for that desire, but not entirely. Modern technology has allowed us to live comfortably. In our dwellings, we always have heat or cooling, food, a place to sleep and clean ourselves. Because of this it is no longer nessisary to be fat. (something i picked up in Psych 201) If we do not choose to go against simple desires, or do something to subside them, we do not choose what we do in life. Anyways... we don't need to be fat, but our primal instincual minds tell us: EAT EAT EAT SLEEP FUCK SLEEP EAT EAT EAT.

Rome had hot and cold running water. Heck, go way back to the hanging gardens for technological power over a bit of local nature and big ass water screws.

Sense we figured out about agreculture, humanity didn't get FAT until the end of the 20th century and only the West not the Eastern or other old world models. I rmember a movie called Goonies when I was around 13 or so which a fat kid named "Chunk" does a fat dance called the 'Truffle Shuffle' that FAT kid from 1983 is no longer considered a really FAT kid and it's only been 25 years now?

Friends: When it comes right down to it, who are your friends? I'll tell you. Your friends are those who you are willing to share your food with. This is the same in any pack of animals that are not bonded by blood.

A friend is someone who hangs out at your place, kicks your ass at Guilty
Gear and smokes your pot, but what a blast!

When it comes right down to it about your friend nugget of verse. All bets are off when hunger and survival are at play. In large devistated areas like Katrina your kind, nice, man's best friend will attack you if you see him in the next few days of hunger while in a hunting pack of dogs where your dog isn't in the alpha.

[Ant-Man]

Hey Raedon.....have you re-read everything you wrote.......... ........that's the beautiful thing about this forum, you can express yourself when you feel REALLY REALLY good......

[Beeker]

Man, I was baked last night!!

[Ant-Man]

Man, I was baked last night!!

SWIM is sitting here with this weird look.... ...all he can say is, "I hope it ROCKED!!"...........

Everyone values different things differently and to each their own.

Back and forth they go when right there is the Ultimate answer..........