Top Secret Files of a Mental Fugitive, Exposed

Really, Ivan, ya can make a loose theory like that for anything. In the end, it depends on the person themselves. If someone wants to focus upon the negative, to really delve on what they don't have, what others DO have, and to ignore the the things they actually have, then they will indeed make themselves miserable. However, if you steer yourself into a more positive thinking direction, you can also be fine with the things you don't have. It's fine to have desires, really. But always remember what you DO have and treasure those things.

Originally Posted by RoadBuster

Really, Ivan, ya can make a loose theory like that for anything. In the end, it depends on the person themselves. If someone wants to focus upon the negative, to really delve on what they don't have, what others DO have, and to ignore the the things they actually have, then they will indeed make themselves miserable. However, if you steer yourself into a more positive thinking direction, you can also be fine with the things you don't have. It's fine to have desires, really. But always remember what you DO have and treasure those things.

Actually, I won't lie to you, Sir RB. I am pissed off. But there were things I wanted to say in this entry, like just burying your head in the gravel of reality isn't different from burying your head in fantasy's sand. I mean, I'm happy that I can finally do things I wanted when I was a kid, but I still desire for more, as if you want it all, even if you can practically never have it all. And I can't help to ask why, even if I know it is human nature or something like that.

Also, I hear people whine all the time, the labor groups in this country, the priests here, my mother, my brother, my sister, my neighbors, some fellow forumites, some people in the Net, liberals, conservatives, apolitical people, all sorts of people, around the world. Yes, they aren't my concern and I can do nothing about it. But the fact that people are whining over something as simple as opinions or beliefs only proves what both Economics and Buddhism: Life is full of wanting, because we are human. And why is it human to want, I don't know.

So, as much as I want to be totally optimistic about my life and situation, I am just asking a question of "If we can just be thankful on what we have, they why is it human to be wanting? Moreso, why is reality like that, people wanting?" I can go on for so long about this question and its moot to think about it, yet people will call you selfish if don't think about it, or miserable if you do.

I mean, if to be human is to want all the time, yet we wanting all the time is bad, is it bad to be human? But this question, that's just a fraction of how I feel right now. The rest, I can't put them to words.

EDIT: Take note, the title of the entry isn't my message, but rather, I want to think why some people think so. And that fact makes me think, making me think about this pisses me off.

Wanting what the other guy has is simple animalistic logic. We all want to be alpha male/female, so we want to look the most sexually attractive, we want to have the most power, we want to have the most things. This way, our egos are fed in multiple ways, and we can get whatever we want - right down to breeding rights. After all, most people would jump into bed with a famous, wealthy person of the opposite sex. Probably even the same one.

That's ultimately what it boils down to. You're forgetting one crucial factor: Humans are still animals, and therefore, driven by animalistic impulse. Sure, we like to think we're a superior consciousness, and in a lot of ways we absolutely are, but we're still driven by those basic things: The need to consume, the need to out-compete, so we can survive and pass on our genes.

Just like any other animal.

People don't like to be reminded that they're animals, really, but it's exactly what we are. No matter how high our intelligence is, or our creativity, we can't escape the basic fact that we are, and thus, we will always be able to be controlled by those more primal ways of thinking. That's why a celebrity, besides being able to have whatever they want, is able to basically do almost as they please - they're alpha males, alpha females. They command attention. Men and women alike want them, and want to be like them.

Think about it from that point of view, and see if that makes things a bit clearer in your mind. Perhaps therein lies the answers that you seek.

Originally Posted by Dark Pulse

Wanting what the other guy has is simple animalistic logic. We all want to be alpha male/female, so we want to look the most sexually attractive, we want to have the most power, we want to have the most things. This way, our egos are fed in multiple ways, and we can get whatever we want - right down to breeding rights. After all, most people would jump into bed with a famous, wealthy person of the opposite sex. Probably even the same one.

That's ultimately what it boils down to. You're forgetting one crucial factor: Humans are still animals, and therefore, driven by animalistic impulse. Sure, we like to think we're a superior consciousness, and in a lot of ways we absolutely are, but we're still driven by those basic things: The need to consume, the need to out-compete, so we can survive and pass on our genes.

Just like any other animal.

People don't like to be reminded that they're animals, really, but it's exactly what we are. No matter how high our intelligence is, or our creativity, we can't escape the basic fact that we are, and thus, we will always be able to be controlled by those more primal ways of thinking. That's why a celebrity, besides being able to have whatever they want, is able to basically do almost as they please - they're alpha males, alpha females. They command attention. Men and women alike want them, and want to be like them.

Think about it from that point of view, and see if that makes things a bit clearer in your mind. Perhaps therein lies the answers that you seek.

Oh, man. Thanks for this reply and comment. I always forget this thing. Humans are rational animals. Rational, yes. Animal, also yes. Silly me.

I remember that part in Planet of the Apes' Behind the Scenes and I saw them training how to act like monkeys. And monkeys, as I see it, seem to want it all and not want to share their stuff.

I guess there's a reason why monkeys and humans share a common ancestor. But that still raises a lot of questions.

Well, humans simply try to rationalize it. The primal brain says "I want everything" but the rational brain says "You know you can't have everything" so there's usually a bit of an impasse. And even if you get rich or wealthy or whatever, there's still usually something else they want - after all, as the Beatles sang, "Money can't buy me love." Worse, they're more likely to be hounded by gold-diggers.

The acceptable medium is to try to have what you want in your life, and be content that while you may not get everything you want, you can still get a lot of it. Some things society will allow, some will not. The NEETs are going to have a real crisis when their parents and support die, and I think in 30-40 years' time we're going to have a real tragedy with them. Society can indeed grind people down and make them feel worthless, but ultimately, the only ones who can change that are themselves.

If they don't, they're in trouble. Just a matter of when, not if. People don't live forever...

Originally Posted by Dark Pulse

The NEETs are going to have a real crisis when their parents and support die, and I think in 30-40 years' time we're going to have a real tragedy with them.

That is, if they aren't being supported by state welfare already, if not actually working jobs. And they'll still feel worthless.

Originally Posted by Dark Pulse

Society can indeed grind people down and make them feel worthless, but ultimately, the only ones who can change that are themselves.

But the problem is, society will grind down your self-worth by say that if you don't have this or that, you aren't a good person or some such. They're always looking for diplomas, family backgrounds, social status and if you don't have it, you are "not taking care of yourself" and therefore "an invalid". If you don't listen to them, you will be called "a dick". So how could you possibly change yourself if they want to control you all the time?

Originally Posted by Ivan The Mouse

That is, if they aren't being supported by state welfare already, if not actually working jobs. And they'll still feel worthless.

Eventually, though, the state welfare system gets tired of having people on it forever. Then the loopholes begin to close... it becomes a cat and mouse game.

It was a lot easier to live off Welfare in the US in the 1980s than it is now, and I presume it will be even harder by 2040. So it will be with most industrialized nations.

Originally Posted by Ivan The Mouse

But the problem is, society will grind down your self-worth by say that if you don't have this or that, you aren't a good person or some such. They're always looking for diplomas, family backgrounds, social status and if you don't have it, you are "not taking care of yourself" and therefore "an invalid". If you don't listen to them, you will be called "a dick". So how could you possibly change yourself if they want to control you all the time?

Society does indeed make people do a lot of bullshit; I know that first hand.

My general way to deal with it: Do what I need to do, but only that and no more. In my own home, with my own family, I feel I should be able to live a life in a manner of my choosing, even if it's unorthodox by society's standards. It's not their home, it's mine.

Therefore, I'll do my part for the greater good, but when the proverbial whistle blows, what society wants means zip. It's all me then.