SpiralArchitect

So bear with me here...

I've been having really strange thoughts run through my heads. Mostly pertaining to who we are and what we are doing on this floating rock in space.

Right now, I believe that humans have gone so far from our intended path we lost any chance of returning course. That is okay to a degree because technology seems to give our culture 'substance'.

Anyways, I was thinking about what the general consensus of the worlds meaning of life was. I came to the conclusion, which I am sure the majority of you will agree that the world is ignorant. That is fact.

Their is also this overwhelming urge for overfullfillment in life. We MUST always be entertained and engulfed in constant over-stimulation. In the end it rapes us of objective thought and we in turn lose a part of human instinct and become slaves.

My next thought was the American dream. What is it? What is a normal life for us? Do we want normal or is the normal 'more than normal'?!?

"Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work, driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for, in order to get to a job that you need so you can pay for the clothes, car and the house that you leave empty all day in order to afford to live in it."

I absolutely love that quote. It sums up what I am kind of saying in a jiff. Think about it - we work hard in school to try and get a nice job, in order to get a house, to live in, gain debt, then die.

That is what happens - but the whole time we cloud our judgement by watching TV, listening to certain music, reading magazines and intaking subliminal messages all telling us that we must work hard for overstimulation because that is happiness. Sure some see past it, I don't watch TV, read magazines, and avoid other media filth. I am disgusted by American society and the world in general. I know genuine, real, honest, people exist everywhere - but the trouble is the most difficult task is teaching someone that. People don't like change, yet we accept quietly it if it benefits us.

I dunno, when you wake up in the morning do you find real purpose in your life? My head is spinning because I know I what I 'should' do; get a job, get a degree, get a good job, get a family, grow old but I want so much more. I want to travel to the ends of the world to try to understand this planet - I want what some refer to as true actualization.

I don't really know a proper way to wrap this up because in all honesty I could go on for fucking pages. If anyone actually even read this that's pretty cool, I respect that, and I would love to hear anyones thoughts or comments, maybe even arguments on this.

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Leighton

Happiness in my honest opinion has nothing to do with money. It has nothing to do with following what our society tells us to do. Happiness, to me, is doing whatever you want, however you want, and being completely free. I know a million people have said that before me, but hey, that is honestly what I think. If I want to be a bum in NYC with the biggest beard on the block, then shit, if it makes me truley happy, then that's what I'll do.

As far as the 'purpose' of life... that just goes off of how you live your life. If you are religious, then your purpose is to serve your god. If you are materialistic, then your purpose is to gain as many physical things that you love. If you're a pothead, then your purpose is to think these thoughts, help legalize Cannabis, and change the world. I hope you understand what I'm saying, and even though I know it probably won't, I hope it helps you realize that the purpose of life should be to live your life, however you want, not how anyone else wants you to.

Now that I have said that, and you have read it... go smoke another bowl!

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"Imagine this dude: say we domed out my car and there was smoke everywhere. Wouldn't it be so kickass if there was some stuff that you could spray in the air that would react with the THC to make the smoke turn the preferred color? Like purple, green, blue, or red? Hell, even brown would be crazy!"

SpiralArchitect

Yeah you say that. But then what is happiness to you?

Do you realize you are always striving to achieve it, even after it's already within your grasp. Sure, I have my preconceived notions of what is to be happy and have felt true happiness before - but how often is it permanent in this ever changing world?

Of course, happiness is always mind over matter - but you see people seem to think that 'overstimulation' results in happiness. I think it just numbs people so they don't have to think about this.

Leighton

I agree with that completely. People of the modern day are entirely too obsessed with entertainment. It is what drives our society, media, and economy. Honestly, you seem to have the same exact thoughts as I do, quite often.

If you want to know what I think will make me happiest, then I'll tell you. I'm sure there are 100,000 people out there that will flame me incessantly for this, but I'll say it anyway: I want to get out of America.

No, I don't want to get out of America because of the Government. Honestly I could care less about it and who runs it. I want to get out of America because of the general population of people here in America. Our society is what is going to kill us, if the Chinese don't kill us first. We Americans, in general, are disgusting and pathetic. There are hundreds of reasons why I think this, but frankly, I don't feel like going into detail about them, but that is honestly what I think happiness is for me is.***

***: I understand that I may have just offended possibly every single American person that reads this board, and if I did, I do apologize. He asked my opinion, so I gave it. Just please keep in mind that when I used the word 'general', I do mean general. I understand that not ALL Americans are the same, and that there are surely millions out there that would be just fine by me, but to me, there are too many that have problems based on our society that I don't like. Once again, please don't be offended by what I said.

Good-Time Slim

Here is my issue with this statement... why do other people, particulalry American society determine how happy you are? In my mind America is teh BEST place to pursue happiness cause we have an unlimited oppurtunity to determine and do what makes us happy you don't have that luxury in other places. I doubt that you would truly be happier in another place you are still the same person you were in America but in a place with less opportunities if that makes sense?

SpiralArchitect

I see what you are saying who posted above me, about America being the land of opportunities.

But if you think about it, anywhere in the world you are limited to only so much you can live out of life. You have to get a job, and a house to live in and you have to buy food and pay your electric and water bill. I mean its a vicious cycle anywhere- how can we escape it? or at least find meaning in it?

Leighton

I see what you're saying, but you honestly have no idea what makes me truley happy. I don't care about money, cars, houses, women, or even having a family. Yes, honestly, I would love to have a wife and son, but if you want the bold truth, I wouldn't care if I didn't. That, mixed in with religion, food, and visual or physical entertainment, are basically the main things that people in America love to persue. Also, the place in which I want to be isn't a place that lacks a good economy or even the opportunity to succeed. The place actually has a better economy, and in my opinion, is just better.

That place in which I like to refer to as 'perfect' is Ireland.

smokeymcchronic

This is kind of weird because I have the same thoughts pretty much everyday. It feels like earth as a whole is just incredibly insignificant.

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Master Kief of the Baked Brigade

Leighton

I somewhat agree with that, too. It seems like we, as people, are obsessed with feeling significant.

Good-Time Slim

I like some of your thoughts, although i don't agree with your assessment that lsitening to music numbs you in some way, because music is one of the basic human activities monkey men were making music, t.v. is another thing. I like that quote is it from Fight Club? It's sad but so completely true... It's even worse if the things you are working your ass off for everyday you don't even like or are not happy with, at least if you are rich you like your stuff which makes all the stuff a liiiiiiiitle bit better. In my life I want to help people. And I mean really help them not like, make there lives more convenient, but really make a difference in their lives. so that is what I am going to strive for and i know when it is all said and done I will have NO regrets. I try not to worry about money because I grew up around money and if there is one thing i learned from the experience is that the pursuit of money will basically get you in that viscious circle that is your quote. Here is the secret to money as I understand it. Whatever you do if you love it and do the best at it that you possibly can, the money will always be there, it doesn't matter what it is you are doing no exceptions. It's a really weird idea but in reality the people who just want money are usually the people who are most broke. i think it is because no one really just wants money, but obviously the oppurtunities that money can provide, but a lot of people who are focused just on making money don't really know what they want so they are striving for nothing. they have money but who cares?Money doesn't make you happy, money DOES make you content, even very content, but from what I have heard true Happiness and contentment are two VERY different things.