Quote:
Originally Posted by cardboard adolescent
I would like to challenge your assertion that this is the most important and relevant topic to all of mankind. I find that to be completely absurd and off base. To a starving Ethiopian child for instance, if you'll pardon me for using the old cliche, the most important topic would probably be where to get food. As far as human drives go, survival comes first, quest for meaning second at best, though it can usually be beaten out by quest for pussy or even quest for some good obscure post-punk. It is my personal opinion that there is no meaning to life, because meaning is a human concept that simply doesn't apply to the universe. Life simply is. Of course, this is merely my perspective on things and I don't think it would be at all fruitful to argue it. As for why we experience pain and joy and what not, I generally see these things as mechanisms by which our body tries to ensure our survival, for instance if we felt great joy when being dismembered we might not fare quite as well as a species, and as a result would not exist and would not be asking these questions. As to WHY do we experience these things the way we do, as in what makes pain pain or whatever, what makes a feeling pleasant or unpleasant, I don't really know how to explain it. But I do believe that the mind can transform experiences, turn pain into pleasure and vice versa. Err... where was I going with this? I'm not sure. As for human evolution, I don't think it's really necessary for humans to continue to evolve because we're at the top of the food chain and no longer have any natural predators, unless of course we evolve to be more resistant to diseases and viruses, in which case yes, we should speed up our evolution through genetic manipulation. Of course, that doesn't really affect us since we've already been born and what not so we're pretty much screwed so I guess we don't really have to evolve unless you care about future generations being able to live longer. Which I don't really. Maybe one day I'll have kids and I'll care. But not right now. Maybe that answers some of these queries in a somewhat non-obtuse way, but probably not. I really started rambling at some point. Do with this post what you will.
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Your post is exactly the type of response I hoped to get.
I know what you mean about keeping things in context, however I would say that the need to find food is essential to all humans and very much a part of the human condition. Moreover I suppose I meant topic as it pertains to casual discussion. Taking precedent over music, sex, sports, and even obscure post punk cuts.
The fact that we have in American society such easy access to basic needs like food and shelter has allowed us to evolve and creative medicines and technologies to improve our lives. Less then 100 years ago infectious diseases were a major plague on civilization and a death sentence for many stricken with them. Less the 20 years ago HIV\Aids was death sentence. etc etc.
Your 100% accurate that "The search for meaning" is secondary at best, but with our basic needs becoming so accessible it is an eventual step in our continuing evolution. I think your simple explanation for human instinct is a very succinct and accurate one. I differ in thinking with you in the sense that I feel there are much greater heights that humans could evolve towards.
We still use a very small percentage of our brains capacity and our understanding of space both locally and beyond is still very minimal at best.
The search for our origins is a driving key component in answering the questions that inevitably cross every persons mind whether they have the time and capacity to dwell on them or not.
Great Post Cardboard! Horribly constructed, but great thoughts thanks for sharing.