My dad is turning 36 in April, and quite a few of my friends (I’m 18, for reference) say that he doesn’t “act his age.” By that, they mean he posts a lot on Instagram (especially daily Stories where he vlogs his life, lol), he’s trendy and very open-minded, works out and takes great care of himself so he looks hot, and he’s really into nightlife and partying. He’s also very adventurous and just a fun guy in general. They don’t think it’s a bad thing at all - in fact, they think it’s cool. But it got me wondering: how is a 36-year-old supposed to act? lol
A lifes only pointless if you make it that way. We’re all gonna die, so im gonna live life the way I want (while respecting others of course).
To be fair also, 20 years ago I couldn’t afford any of the “toys” I have now, so I enjoy them as I had always wanted to. I love being transported to 1991 when I turn on my Genesis.
Is someone at a dead end job with 5 kids growing up in a crumbling world leading a better life? To them, maybe, and they can do what they want. I only hope they teach their children not to hate.
Now I also have real project cars and house projects “adulty” shit, but really thats all just playing disguised as adult. Painting a room or putting new wheels on your car isnt necessary, its all (more expensive) play.
Now its also good to give back to the community. I kind of do that through my full time job already, basically keeping the Infrastructure that makes your food up and running, so I consider that a good thing. Id like to volunteer too but im kind of an introvert that way and its hard to find the time between work.
That and generally not being an asshole and being a tolerant (of everyone except nazis) person, thats my goal in life. Its not lofty, but I like where im at.
A life is pointless when it’s meaningless, and pleasure doesn’t provide meaning. Maybe being distracted by banal things until death is enough to make your life worthwhile but idk, it isn’t for me. And much of the world doesn’t think death is the end (I know, I know, that’s for morons and whatnot, but it’s still a reality), and have that in mind when making decisions as they don’t want to disappoint God/go to Hell/be reincarnated into that patch of hair that grows around one’s anus/etc. Maybe the idea that life is whatever and then you die is behind this wave of hedonistic nihilism? Whether it’s true or not, it’s definitely not helpful when building a community (old men planting trees, and this applies even if you believe there’s nothing after death if you have some prosociality in you). Regardless, I do commend you for your part in making the world a better place, I thank you for not being an asshole (God knows this world already has too many!), and I hope I wasn’t too hurtful/offensive with my words here and you took them with the same positive spirit that they were given. I don’t just yap to annoy people, I yap to try to wake them up, but everyone knows sleeping is comfier. 🤷
Nope I get it. My outlook is pretty well grounded in the “for i was dead before I was born” outlook (Mark Twain I believe), and multiple readings of the book The Power of Now. That book is seriously life changing and far better than any popular religious text could be in my opinion. I believe if the world could leave behind their preconceived beliefs and practice whats written in that book there would be a massive shift to peace.
I also should have made more clear. While I love my stuff (I am a maximalist by nature), I of course love family (and my dogs) the most. I also have just always been a person who enjoys being alone a lot too and finds that the world and humanity who came before us have given us so much so there is unlimited things to explore and experience, and no rules to what you can do unless you impart them on yourself.
I see a lot of hate and anger around me against people who have done nothing but exist, and its really hard to understand. Clearly these hateful people weren’t brought up to just be nice. Of course the rise of facism requires us to stand up for the rights of humanity as well, so being passive all the time can also be wrong.