The Absurdity of Human Life

from JoeUser Forums

Imagine one day you were to come across a young man digging a hole in the earth with a shovel.  An inquiry into his actions leads to the conclusion that he is digging his grave.  Likely you would find this intriguing, and would attempt to draw more information from the man.  Suppose the man explained that he wanted the best grave he could create throughout the years of his existence.  The man is literally spending his life preparing the resting place for his dead body.

Would you find this ridiculous?

Yet, throughout human existance, like the man digging his own grave, we have spent our lives preparing for our death.  Many find it necessary to believe in an afterlife, and are willing to sacrifice parts of their earthly lives in order to gain admittance.  Others spend their lives researching various religions, sciences, and beliefs, in order to find something regarding death that they can come to terms with.

At the very root of it, everything in our existence has grown out of our obsession of death.  Humans fear death so much that we have created religion, (a way to either accept death with the hope of some sort of better life,) and science, (a way of postponing death through medicine, or other forms of preservation.)

Why?

Why can't human's just accept that this may be the one and only life we have, and live it accordingly?  Yes, we are afraid of what happens after we die, afraid that there may be no purpose for our existence.  But why allow that fear to dictate the way we live the life that we know for certain we have at this moment?

Why can't we spend our lives simply enjoying being alive?

 

 

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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hmm, intriguing and thought provoking. 

Why can't human's just accept that this may be the one and only life we have, and live it accordingly?  Yes, we are afraid of what happens after we die, afraid that there may be no purpose for our existence.  But why allow that fear to dictate the way we live the life that we know for certain we have at this moment?

Why can't we spend our lives simply enjoying being alive?

End of quote

I think the song No Day But Today from the movie RENT, is apt:

 

The heart may freeze or it can burn
The pain will ease if I can learn

There is no future
There is no past
Thank God this moment's not the last

There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret-- or life is yours to miss.
No other road
No other way
No day but today

There's only yes
Only tonight
We must let go
To know what is alright
No other course
No other way
No day but today

I can't control
My destiny
I trust my soul
My only hope
is just to be

There's only now
There's only here
Give in to love
Or live in fear
No other path
No other way
No day but today

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Excellent song.  Too bad it is so rare that we actually "just be."

Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

what if you're wrong and you weren't prepared for the trip into eternity?  Isn't it better to be prepared.  Always be prepared.  Isn't that a Boy Scout motto? 

Our life here is but a vapor.  It's over before you realize it.  But eternity, that's a long, long time.  It's a good thing to ponder this. 

I actually see the opposite.  I see people putting off preparing for the end and instead living their lives trying not to think about their impending death.  They give no thought to eternity or its implications.  They believe as you do.  It's not until they face a life threatening illness to force them into thinking differently do they ponder life and the afterlife. 

Even some you might consider religious.  They may go to church and all but really don't take very good care of their spiritual self outside of that one hour a week. 

I can't help but think of what Christ said when he was here..."what good is it to gain the whole world but lose your soul?" 

 

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

what if you're wrong and you weren't prepared for the trip into eternity? Isn't it better to be prepared. Always be prepared. Isn't that a Boy Scout motto?
End of quote

What if you're wrong? Besides, I never was a boyscout and I doubt S&JT was ever one.

 

Our life here is but a vapor. It's over before you realize it.
End of quote

 

If I may S&JT? I believe that was the point she was making: life is short and too much of a blur to realy worry about what happens after. Don't worry, don't fret. Just live life.

 

 

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

They believe as you do.
End of quote

I obsess over what may happen when I die as much as the next person KFC.  Please don't assume that I believe one thing or another.

I simply happened to take a step back, and wondered WHY.

That was exactly my point Alderic, thank you.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

what if you're wrong and you weren't prepared for the trip into eternity?
End of quote

There are always What if's.  Always.  In everything.

What if I die on my way home from work.  What if I choose to believe something and it's wrong?  What if this is all an illusion, a matrix?

There are no end to the what if's.

So why not let go of the "what if's," and simply enjoy the moments that we know we have?

(I'm not expecting you to agree with me KFC, I understand what you are saying.)

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Why?
End of quote

Why not? You believe people should just live, maybe preparing for the afterlife is a form of living for some people. Some people live to sing, some people live to race (any kind of race) some people live to love and some live to prepare for the afterlife. What is so wrong with that?

I too find your article "intriguing and thought provoking", and because of that I wonder, why do you find it important to care about how anyone other than you is living? Why do you believe that your idea of living is somehow the standard? I say that because you are wondering why some people "waste" their time preparing for the afterlife instead of just living based on what you think living life should be.

I do agree most people fear death. As much as anyone feels they've prepared themselves for an afterlife, I would bet most of them would chose to live one more day if given the option. But fear is not always a bad thing, fear helps us avoid danger, helps us avoid mistakes and fear also helps us be better people, after all, we are only human and morals will not always stop people from doing the wrong thing.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

What if you're wrong? Besides, I never was a boyscout and I doubt S&JT was ever one.
End of quote

Right or wrong, would it not be better to be prepared? Would you carry a spare tire, tire repair kit and an air pump in your car if you were to travel across a long empty road with brand new tires and the next stop is 50 miles away?

I was never a boyscout either, but even I know I'm better off wearing a seatbelt, carrying a spare tire in my car, having my American Express in my wallet and going to the bathroom before a long trip. I may as well pray to God and ask for forgiveness while I'm at it, never know when I may come face to face with the options of the gates of Heaven or Hell.

:LOL:

BTW, if S&JT is a girl, I too seriously doubt she was a boyscout.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

So why not let go of the "what if's," and simply enjoy the moments that we know we have?
End of quote

So why do anything? What's the point of living if we don't care about living? How can you enjoy the moment if you don't care about the "what if's" of the moment?

Animals live a "what if free" life. They don't go to doctors to give birth, they don't check the water for gators before drinking, they don't look behind bushes before jumping over them, they don't wonder if a human will kill them for hurting another human. Should we live like this as well, not worrying what can happen for any action we take?

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Why can't we spend our lives simply enjoying being alive?
End of quote

Because religion has succeeded in selling you guilt.

Pick and choose what you wish to believe, and ignore the rest.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Why can't we spend our lives simply enjoying being alive?
End of quote

I most certainly enjoy being alive....life is a free gift from Almighty God, I treasure every moment, every breath. Life is a journey, a fascinating one.

kfc posts:

what if you're wrong and you weren't prepared for the trip into eternity? Isn't it better to be prepared. Always be prepared. Isn't that a Boy Scout motto?

Our life here is but a vapor. It's over before you realize it. But eternity, that's a long, long time. It's a good thing to ponder this.

I actually see the opposite. I see people putting off preparing for the end and instead living their lives trying not to think about their impending death. They give no thought to eternity or its implications. They believe as you do. It's not until they face a life threatening illness to force them into thinking differently do they ponder life and the afterlife.

Even some you might consider religious. They may go to church and all but really don't take very good care of their spiritual self outside of that one hour a week.

I can't help but think of what Christ said when he was here..."what good is it to gain the whole world but lose your soul?"
End of quote

These are my sentiments as well. And there is not a better question ever asked than that of Christ's, "For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?".

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Why not? You believe people should just live, maybe preparing for the afterlife is a form of living for some people. Some people live to sing, some people live to race (any kind of race) some people live to love and some live to prepare for the afterlife. What is so wrong with that?
End of quote

If it were simply "some" people, then I would undertsand it.  However, it is not some, it is nearly all people.  Most people are taught that they must either fear death, or live a life that is considered worthy enough to be continued in some sort of afterlife, whether through Heaven, or reincarnation.  From the egyptians and their lives spent building pyramids, to modern religion, spending life preparing for whatever may happen after death is ingrained into us.

What's the point of living if we don't care about living?
End of quote

Living for the joy of living, for the inescapable ups and downs, the acknowledement that life is for... well... living, that isn't caring about living?  It's actually quite the opposite.  In living as I described it in my original post, yes, you would have think about the moments to come.  It's inevitable.  However, people are thinking beyond their current life, into an afterlife.  If we can't enjoy and take advantage of living this life, (the one we know for certain we have), then why do we deserve any kind of afterlife?

Animals really have nothing to do with my point, as they don't spend life obsessing over their death, and what may happen afterward. 

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

If it were simply "some" people, then I would undertsand it. However, it is not some, it is nearly all people. Most people are taught that they must either fear death, or live a life that is considered worthy enough to be continued in some sort of afterlife, whether through Heaven, or reincarnation. From the egyptians and their lives spent building pyramids, to modern religion, spending life preparing for whatever may happen after death is ingrained into us.
End of quote

I say some because I do not have enough information to state a majority or not. I'm curious, should we ignore the needs of a child who can not survive on it's own? I ask because often I hear people use words like "taught", "ingrained" and other similar words and I can't help but question why we are so concerned with responsibility of educating children and then question those resposnible. Why do you, me or anyone else believe that our idea of education should be the standard while at the same time believing everyone has the right to be who they want to be? This is a contradiction to me. We can not believe that people have the right to be and at the same time believe they should be as we believe they should be.

 

 

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top

I say some because I do not have enough information to state a majority or not. I'm curious, should we ignore the needs of a child who can not survive on it's own? I ask because often I hear people use words like "taught", "ingrained" and other similar words and I can't help but question why we are so concerned with responsibility of educating children and then question those resposnible. Why do you, me or anyone else believe that our idea of education should be the standard while at the same time believing everyone has the right to be who they want to be? This is a contradiction to me. We can not believe that people have the right to be and at the same time believe they should be as we believe they should be.
End of quote

Again... this has absolutely nothing to do with anything I originally wrote about.

 

Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top

In trying to make sense of your post Charles, I assume that you are taking my question (why do we spend life preparing for death) and using it to debate arguments I didn't present:

Should we not live with any thought of tomorrow?

There will be consequences for our actions in this life, so yes, we should think of how we choose to live.  Didn't say we shouldn't consider what may happen if we, say, kill someone, or rob a bank.  That would be a waste of life as well, either on the run, or in prison.

Should we live like the animals?

Has nothing to do with this.

Should we not educate our children?

Are you trying to paint me as some sort of moral nihilist?  I didn't say we shouldn't teach our children.  In fact, teaching is necessary if they are to interact in acceptable ways with society. (Don't hit the old man that can barely walk.)  Teaching in the terms of education is necessary for understanding things that will come later, such as jobs, etc.  Teaching morals and knowledge sets up a frame work, in a way, for a child.  A jumping-off point for them to choose and research how they want to spend their life. 

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

BTW, if S&JT is a girl, I too seriously doubt she was a boyscout.
End of quote

Mm, agreed, given she is in fact a female.

I was never a boyscout either, but even I know I'm better off wearing a seatbelt, carrying a spare tire in my car, having my American Express in my wallet and going to the bathroom before a long trip. I may as well pray to God and ask for forgiveness while I'm at it, never know when I may come face to face with the options of the gates of Heaven or Hell.
End of quote

Mhm

Right or wrong, would it not be better to be prepared? Would you carry a spare tire, tire repair kit and an air pump in your car if you were to travel across a long empty road with brand new tires and the next stop is 50 miles away?
End of quote

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with being prepared, but that is if you believe that you need to be prepared. Some people just do not believe that.

 

 

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top

Why can't we spend our lives simply enjoying being alive?
End of quote

So why not let go of the "what if's," and simply enjoy the moments that we know we have?
End of quote

You're assuming that we're not enjoying our life because we're planning ahead for the afterlife? 

Why?  Why can't we enjoy this life that God has given us and still prepare for the afterlife?  Who says one excludes the other?

Do you have a 401K , a retirement plan or an IRA?  Does that stop you from enjoying your life because you plan for your retirement? 

In fact doesn't the fact that you are preparing for your twilight years give you a sense of peace and relief?  When I planned ahead for my kids college education I was relieved (and could better enjoy life) they were taken care of.  All because we prepared.  When I go on a trip and looking ahead, I'm always glad when I've got the tickets secured and paid for. 

It's the same with anything.  An upcoming test.  A party.  A wedding.  Any celebration.  Buying a Home.   If you did the homework early enough you won't be rushing around wishing you started earlier in your planning.  You may find yourself in a predicament if you do not plan. 

No, I think you have it backwards.  Preparing for the afterlife brings peace and gives us hope.  Those without hope and peace are not really enjoying life to the fullest.  Sort of like the grasshopper and the ant story.  When the time comes, they will find they were unprepared and found wanting.  Christ said when we put our hope in him and his eternal promise we would have life at the fullest.  In fact he called it the "abundant life." 

So don't feel bad about us.  We're not being robbed of enjoying our life here on earth.  We just know it's going to be so much better in the afterlife and we are prepared.  We look forward to that day knowing what we have here won't light a candle to where we're going.

 

Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top

So don't feel bad about us. We're not being robbed of enjoying our life here on earth. We just know it's going to be so much better in the afterlife and we are prepared. We look forward to that day knowing what we have here won't light a candle to where we're going.
End of quote

More power to you.

Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top

I don't mean to be confusing S&JT, I was using my comments as examples of just living. Animals don't worry about the afterlife, they just live, should we do the same? That's my point.

Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top

Animals don't worry about the afterlife, they just live, should we do the same?
End of quote

Live like animals? Hmm, I'm suddenly reminded of Animal House. ^_^

 

Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top

they just live, should we do the same?
End of quote

I wouldn't say that animals (in a natural setting) "just live," they survive.  We have evolved past that stage, for the most part, so we have the chance to "just live."  So yes.  But not in the way you are comparing to animals.

Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top

I wouldn't say that animals (in a natural setting) "just live," they survive. We have evolved past that stage, for the most part, so we have the chance to "just live." So yes. But not in the way you are comparing to animals.
End of quote

And there is the difference, animals try to survive, you are asking us to ignore our suvival instincts and simply live. In my opinion, preparation for the afterlife is just another form of survival. Our physical bodies may die, but our souls live on. I would rather try to survive, as much as possible on Earth, and then in the afterlife. Besides, if I am lucky enough to make it to Heaven, i will have plenty of time to simply live. Here on Earth, things like the light bill, gas for my car, my bosses need to have todays work done yesterday and little thing called food don't exactly make it easy to just "live life".

Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top

Here on Earth, things like the light bill, gas for my car, my bosses need to have todays work done yesterday and little thing called food don't exactly make it easy to just "live life
End of quote

It depends on how you look at things and perceive living life. One could easily be living life through taking care of their wife, and children.

Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top

Here on Earth, things like the light bill, gas for my car, my bosses need to have todays work done yesterday and little thing called food don't exactly make it easy to just "live life".
End of quote

As you stated, some people live to sing, live to race, etc.  Perhaps you live for that kind of life.  As long as you find more enjoyment in it than suffering, and feel it is for you, then by all means, spend you life that way.  This goes back to understanding there are consequences in this life for our actions.  If you choose certain lifestyles, you must have a means to keep said lifestyles. 

I simply find it ironic, and fascinating, that we choose to live our lives certain ways in an attempt to receive a better afterlife, instead of attempting to make this life, this world, better.

 

 

Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top

A friend sent this email and after reading it I thought of this thread...

 

A Pulitzer Prize Winner's Speech... 

 

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.

 

This was a speech made by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Anna Quindlen at the graduation ceremony of an American university where she was awarded an Honorary PhD.



"I'm a novelist. My work is human nature. Real life is all I know. Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work. You will walk out of here this afternoon with only one thing that no one else has. There will be hundreds of people out there with your same degree: there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you will be the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk or your life on a bus or in a car or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your bank accounts but also your soul.

People don't talk about the soul very much anymore. It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit. But a resume is cold comfort on a winter's night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you've received your test results and they're not so good.

Here is my resume: I am a good mother to three children. I have tried never to let my work stand in the way of being a good parent. I no longer consider myself the centre of the universe. I show up. I listen. I try to laugh. I am a good friend to my husband. I have tried to make marriage vows mean what they say. I am a good friend to my friends and them to me. Without them, there would be nothing to say to you today, because I would be a cardboard cut out. But I call them on the phone and I meet them for lunch. I would be rotten, at best mediocre, at my job if those other things were not true.

You cannot be really first rate at your work if your work is all you are. So here's what I wanted to tell you today: Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger pay cheque, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon or found a lump in your breast?

Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze at the seaside, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water, or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a sweet with her thumb and first finger.

Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Pick up the phone. Send an email. Write a letter. Get a life in which you are generous. And realize that life is the best thing ever, and that you have no business taking it for granted. Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around. Take money you would have spent on beer and give it to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Be a big brother or sister. All of you want to do well. But if you do not do good too, then doing well will never be enough.

It is so easy to waste our lives, our days, our hours, and our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the colour of our kids' eyes, the way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist instead of to live.

I learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get. I learned to look at all the good in the world and try to give some of it back because I believed in it, completely and utterly. And I tried to do that, in part, by telling others what I had learned. By telling them this: Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on a baby's ear. Read in the back yard with the sun on your face.

Learn to be happy. And think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion as it ought to be lived".