One of my pet peeves in life is the idea that we must find purpose with why things exist, and by definition why WE exist.
This idea irritates me to no end.
Only a true megalomaniac feels the need to have their existence justified.
As far as you are aware, leaving Descartes out of this, you do exist. To be honest that should be good enough.
However I know that for most people it is not, so here let me help you.
To be brutally honest, as far as the planet is concerned, you really have only one purpose. To procreate. To pass along your genetic material onto the next generation.
That is what all who came before you in your ancestral lineage managed to do, and now they have passed the procreation baton to you. So don't just stand there start fucking!
This is referred to as your biological imperative, and seriously as far as the planet and universe is concerned you can die just as soon as you have raised your kids and your job has been accomplished. If you need a further purpose beyond that you need to find it for yourself.
The universe owes you nothing.
And yet it gave you the chance to exist. So don't waste it worshiping false deities, worrying about your mortality, or following rules that strip all of the fun out of life's journey.
Now that is NOT to say that you cannot create a purpose for your life without asking God or the universe to do it for you. Personally I have always been grateful that I was born and have tried to give back at least as much as I have been given. My goal before I get to the last chapter of my story is to have had a lot of fun, loved a lot of people, and made the most positive impact possible for a grumpy old fart like me.
And then I get to die. And even THAT is gift, because before one gets to die, one gets to live.
So thank you universe. I'll take it from here.
We are all here to go. Into space. Do I hear any questions about that?
ReplyDeleteHe is simply the best! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you. It is an idiotic quest. My favorite book that exemplifies the stupidity of needing to find meaning in everything is "Motel of the Mysteries" by David McCaulay. You can Google and download the free e book. I used to marvel when I was a kid at how every fucking thing that was discovered by archeologists had some kind of religious meaning. Sometimes a doll is just a doll, for fuck sake.
ReplyDeleteOlivia, I'm with you. I've always been irritated that everything from the ancient days, no matter where what culture or what age, seems to seems to deal with "deity worship".
DeleteSpare me! What's this obsession with deity worship. Maybe people did it just because they liked it or they saved something because they thought it was pretty.
I've got all kinds of odds and ends on my tables and windowsills. A future archeologists would think this little house was a chamber of worships based on the sea shells and feathers I've collected.
Actually, I thought they were pretty and I like nature. Adding to your comment...sometimes a rock is just a rock. Which is plenty fine with me.
Gryphen, you rock. Thanks for making my life better. I hope we meet someday so I can buy you a beer.
ReplyDeleteCheers, mate!
It is a fool's task to argue the existence (or non-existence) of "God". I am truly agnostic, meaning that I really have no way of knowing.
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to know is (since you are grateful to "the universe") what IS the universe?
And why does any life within it seem programmed to want to continue? WHY. Why the heck does a one-celled organism want to continue, whether by it's own lifespan or reproduction. Why does that urge/instinct exist in the first place. Even if you scientifically say it is just about simple replication......why does life want to DO that? What animates it to make it even WANT to exist?
I don't expect answers, I'm OK with living in wonder.
And why does any life within [the universe] seem programmed to want to continue?
DeleteAnything that does not have characteristics that favour the continued existence of it or its offspring doesn't (directly or through its descendants) stay around long enough for you to notice. An example of something that appears to be an exception if you don't take a broad enough view is worker bees, which don't reproduce. But they are continuously produced by other bees that do reproduce, and benefit from the existence of worker bees.
What animates [life] to make it even WANT to exist?
Many things that have characteristics that favour their (or their offspring's) continued existence are not equipped for "wanting" yet they continue anyway. Something as simple as a reflex to recoil from sharp objects (such as teeth) goes a long way.
Don't anthropomorphize things; many of them don't like it. :-)
I love how Neil's animations explain complex things in a simple way. Excellent film and brilliant post.
ReplyDelete"The Universe Owes You Nothing" - What a concept!
Deteriorata
DeleteGo placidly
Amid the noise and waste.
And remember what comfort there may be
In owning a piece thereof.
Avoid quiet and passive persons
Unless you are in need of sleep.
Rotate your tires.
Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself
And heed well their advice,
Even though they be turkeys.
Know what to kiss, and when.
Consider that two wrongs never make a right
But that THREE do.
Wherever possible, put people on hold.
Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment
And despite the changing fortunes of time,
There is always a big future in computer maintenance.
You are a fluke
Of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back.
Remember the Pueblo.
Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle and mutilate.
Know yourself.
If you need help, call the FBI.
Exercise caution in your daily affairs,
Especially with those persons closest to you.
That lemon on your left, for instance.
Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls
Would scarcely get your feet wet.
Fall not in love therefore;
It will stick to your face.
Gracefully surrender the things of youth:
The birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan
And let not the sands of time
Get in your lunch.
Hire people with hooks.
For a good time call 606-4311.
Ask for "Ken."
Take heart amid the deepening gloom
That your dog is finally getting enough cheese.
And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot
It could only be worse in Milwaukee.
You are a fluke
Of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back.
Therefore, make peace with your god
Whatever you conceive him to be---
Hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin.
With all its hopes, dreams, promises and urban renewal
The world continues to deteriorate.
GIVE UP!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey6ugTmCYMk
Sorry, Planet, I thought the best way to be good to you was NOT to reproduce. (For both ecological reasons and because my family is crazy.)
ReplyDeleteI did have that most rewarding experience of raising a couple of young'uns. We played hard and we all learned a lot.
For that, well Thanks, Universe!
Every atom in our bodies was once part of something else. When we die our ingredients can become part of another living thing. Might be a dragon fly, might be a tree, might be another person. Recycling at its best.
ReplyDeleteGryphen, there is a book that you might enjoy: "A Short History of Myth" by Karen Armstrong. It talks about this very issue and how it has occurred throughout the history of humankind.
ReplyDeletePurpose? That's a little anthropomorphic, to my thinking. I have satisfied myself however there exists Intent.
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoy listening to and reading Tyson.
ReplyDeleteHe's right up there with Sagan as far as clear thinking and being able to explain things in a rational way.
Gee, all this time I've been patting myself on the back for my contribution to zero population growth, only to find out that I'm a failure as a human being. Thanks a lot.
ReplyDelete