But seriously, what life is one supposed to get? You say that like some style of living is better than others, like certain lifestyles aren't actually "a life", like there's only certain ways that life ought to be lived. But there can't be an answer to that, unless... you've found the meaning of life?! Tell me, cause I'd love to know! In fact, you ought to tell the entire world your meaning of life, cause I'm sure the world would love to know too.
But really, what do you mean by that? Hmm... maybe you're thinking about the universal value associated with human life, in which case, the only life worth living would be one in which your entire time, energy, and effort were spent to improve and save the lives of others. If that's the "life" that you mean, well, I don't know, maybe I ought to get that life.
Or maybe it's not that. But, clearly you mean some life with some set goal, some definite purpose that is more important than personal happiness. I mean, you say that phrase to people who are otherwise happy and in general doing no harm to other people. So it wouldn't make sense if you were trying to get people to have a life that makes them happy, when they're already happy. So the only explanation I can see is that the "life" you refer has something that is much more important than happiness. So, what is it? The improvement of the world and others' lives? I suppose I could accept that. Religion? I'd consider it. Family? Ehhh I guess so. Country? Ah now, well you see, this country is apparently committed to the idea that the pursuit of happiness is an inalienable right. But sure, maybe the country should be considered more important than personal happiness.
Huh wait. Your greater cause is going outside? Reading a book? Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm having trouble seeing how the meaning of life is associated with going outside or reading a book. Oh unless you mean books that are concerned with how best to improve humanity. Or maybe astrology books, so you can go outside and discover the meaning of life somewhere out among the stars... Otherwise I'm even having trouble seeing how some activity like that is so much more of a life than any other pursuit of happiness, like a hobby.
Oh, a hobby is- Oh, you know what a hobby is? Well you can't- possibly- have- one??!! I mean, hobbies are things you do for fun! What would you do anyway, go out and party? Rock climb? Play sports? Watch sports?? If you have time like that, why don't you spend it making a, I don't know, professional wastepaper basketball league or something. I mean it'd be just as meaningful to the world, right?
Oh yeah, you said something about "too much time" too, right? Well look at those retired people then man, they have no life. But I mean, if you had the time to do what you wanted to do, what would you spend it doing? Obviously something that relates to that higher purpose that I was talking about before. Because you wouldn't spend your free time just doing something you enjoy, that would be ridiculous. I mean, then your life would be no different than the people who have "no life". Unless of course watching movies is a higher calling. Unless your visit to the bar improves humanity. Unless your going outside and reading a book serves some higher purpose.
You see, personally, I don't like that view. I'd prefer to think that it's okay to live life doing what you enjoy doing as long as it doesn't hurt others, be it video games, hanging out with friends, going outside, extreme sports, wastepaper basketball, you name it. I mean, I believe in hobbies, and having fun. But I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on that. I mean, you believe in the concept that there is "a life" that ought to be lived. But, if you believe that life is meant to be lived for nothing but the purpose of improving the lives of others, well I can respect that. Now if you believe that standing outside or reading a book or socializing is the higher goal towards which one should live their lives, uhhhhh I don't think I can respect that.
What? My life? Well it just so happens that my life meets your (very illogical) criteria of a "life" to some extent. I mean, my work is expected to help create computer controlled energy efficient buildings. Maybe that will help the world someday. And of course, you know, I read stuff, being a grad student and all. Going outside? Well, there's that mile walk to campus every school day, so I get my time outdoors. I'm even in a couple clubs. And while I completely disagree with the idea of "having a life" when said as if there is some "life" that is better than others, you seem to believe in it. I still don't know what you mean when you say "having a life", so I can't say for sure or not, but maybe you would say that I "have a life." Like I said, I think it's a dumb phrase. Are you alive? Yes? Well then you are living, right? So you have a life? Or, wait, I guess there is another meaning.
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| Do I have a life? Why, yes, it looks like I have 3 right now. |
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