A Clean, Well Lit Place

In Earnest Hemingway's short story the older waiter struggles with the idea that there is nothing in the world and that man is also a nothing. There is no God and nothing awaits us outside of life, if life is even anything. The cafe he works at provides a sort of protection from the nothing that [is] the world. But wait, how can nothing "be"? Nothing by definition is a lack of anything and so there cannot be 'nothing'. This is absurd. He finds comfort in the structure, cleanliness, and light of the cafe which protects him from nothing long enough for the sun to rise and for him to be able to fall asleep. He too denies that any deity exists who is above all of the world. There is nothing, good or evil or significant. With this extreme idea of nothing there can be no hope for the future and thus despair must ensue. The only patron at the cafe, an old man, apparently attempted to commit suicide the week before. Is this because he shares the same vision of nothing for the world? Apparently he has lots of money and this does not make him content. Somehow something deeper is afflicting him. He comes to the cafe every night and becomes drunk. Somehow maintaining his dignity. What does he find in this cafe that causes him to return. Is the light a symbol of existence that draws him toward something he can know to exist, or at least percieve? Is the need to escape the dark of night the pull towards such a cafe? Is the disorder and mess found in bars too characteristic of a lack of order which must come with non-existence? The older waiter cannot sleep each night until the light of day streams into his window. Perhaps this light, either of the sun or the cafe, is the only real hope that there may be something more to come, or at the least at present there is something in the present, as insignificant as it may be.

Thoughts while writing an essay on this topic. Quite helpful actually.

There must be something, because for nothing to exist would be contradictory to the nature of nothing.

A Common Desire

As human beings I think that we all share a passion that is common to the human condition. That is to truly belong and be loyal to a specific group. Belonging to some faction or movement helps define who we are and if we can start to define who we are then it is possible to sort out some of the reasons of why we are living. To not stand for anything (apart from being mostly impossible) leaves little to live for and leaves a person with minimal drive. I, at least, have a need to belong to and fight for something. Perhaps this is why I cling so stolidly, at least try to, to the Mennonite faith. Even holding onto my GC subdivision seems to allow me to make more sense out of who I am and why I go on living. In the same way sports fans cling loyally to various sports teams representing the team and avidly watching and educating themselves about the success or failure of their team.
Although belonging so definitely to a group is helpful, it seems unrewarding to be only kind of a part of something. To halfheartedly claim membership to a group leaves one on the outskirts of that group and turned away by other groups because of one's part allegiance to the first group.
I want to proudly carry a banner, defining myself as part of something and apart from others who stand for what I don't.
(This separation can be problematic if one wishes to envision a united world.)

Freedom

If what we know determines what we can be and where we can go then knowledge is freedom. If one does not know what they believe they are securely imprisoned. If one does not know alternatives to what you believe you can hardly move forward. Therefore it is necessary to not only educate yourself on what believe but also on what you don't believe, so that you do in fact have the choice to believe what you do.

Luxury is the origin of war.
-Plato (The Republic)

War is the result of greed and the desire to have more than what is necessary. Or to feed an appetite that requires excessive materials. For example oil. Oil is used to create many items, some of which are necessary, many of which are not. Since the wealthy countries that use the most oil cannot sustain their use of oil war is necessary to take over countries that have oil. Other examples can be used such as gold, or diamonds and other luxuries.

If it was not for the desire to amass more possessions than the rest of the world there would be no need for war. It's too bad to think that the reason so many people die so unjustly is merely for a countries greed.

Without the presence of luxury all people could be satisfied with the resources available.

Is equality problematic

If we ever achieve a more complete existence of equality in our world, who will lead?

As it is now the rich rule the world. Wealth gets you a good job, good clothes, better seats on airplanes, status and respect from the poorer working class. To get into politics one must have a certain amount of wealth in order to even be eligible.

The same is true for knowledge. If you don't have extensive knowledge you cannot get a job with influence, nor can you receive a position that includes leading a large group of people.

If poverty is eliminated and all people are given equal opportunity for education how will leaders be chosen and selected? If this country truly becomes a democracy where anyone is able to run for government regardless of financial status what will stop multitudes of people from running.

If people have equal chance there will be no easy choice. Perhaps there will be leaders who are more qualified and who have fresh ideas for a old system.

(as I write this I am struck by the flaws in my thoughts and the quite obvious solutions. A response should be coming soon. )

The everpresent condition of philosophy

Until quite recently I was under the impression that although philosophy seemed to be connected to everything it only was attainable through a focused approach as in a philosophy course. However, after enrolling in an English course I am delighted to discover that it is essentially philosophy under the clever guise of literature. In addition sociology appears to be closely connected to philosophy as well although focused more specifically on the nature of society and how various parts of it relate to each other.
The only unfortunate part of this discovery is that the low level of concentration of this philosophy. Both English and sociology present a watered down version of philosophical ideas however, a deeper knowledge of philosophy will undoubtedly give one an advantage of some sort when analyzing and presenting the ideas that do occur in these two disciplines.
Thankfully, there will be a way to pursue my love of philosophy without focusing all of my energy towards it, as would be necessary for a minor.

Side note: (I love reading. Reading = more knowledge and more knowledge = better results for my money.)

What we are told we want

Desire seems natural to human existence. We desire the basics, sustenance, water, shelter and warmth. After that we desire companionship and purpose for our lives. Since having evolved to a somewhat intelligent species we have come to desire other things as well such as art and luxury. We began desiring comfort and expensive possessions as we no longer needed to find food on a daily basis. The basics were simply ever present and so more became possible.

Currently, in Canada for example, things are going pretty well for the middle class. One is able to purchase many luxuries which are far from necessary. There are still natural desires I suppose but almost any possible decision that one will make is heavily influenced by society. One could argue that influence also comes from family or literature but each of these is also influenced by the international corporations that are battling for our dedication to their products. In essence we are being told what we should want.

"If you buy this product, it will make your life easier more enjoyable and more efficient so you can have more time to make more money." This seems to be a common message portrayed through advertisements. When one thinks about this for a little bit, it is quite apparent that there isn't an end to the cycle that is being sold. Buy this so you can make more money, thus becoming happier, and able to afford more stuff. Desire for products seems natural but happiness is not achieved until these desires subside. If one is constantly desiring more and better stuff (because the last stuff was engineered to go out of date) it is very difficult to be happy.

Let me know entertain an example. Many times those who go overseas to third world countries are shocked and amazed and the simple happiness with which residents carry out their daily activities. They do not have the luxuries found in North America and yet they seem more content with their lives without the constant acquiring of possessions. These people do not have a constant desire for more products that do not actually accomplish anything important in their lives.

Another example. Clothing. This is important mostly in environmental extremes for purposes of warmth. However, clothing commercials make it appear to be a status symbol that will give you immediate friends and success. We are told that we need certain clothes in order to be happy. On one level this is true. Self respect accompanies being able to dress in a civilized manner. But on the other hand it is not necessary for the average person (someone who's job does not require a daily suit.) to own multiple expensive suits. However, this is the message that Hollywood, and television is sending us. If you are successful you demonstrate it with expensive articles of clothing and multiple cars which you don't have time to drive.

Now I love dressing up in fancy dress clothes and suits, and I don't mean to hate on those who also enjoy this luxury. I am however, suggesting that one should be aware of the messages that are being sent and one's motives for purchasing another suit or a brand new car. Is it to satisfy the desire for status symbols the media has planted in us? or simply because your best friend is getting married and it's time to celebrate?

The media has a controlling grip, don't water a seed of desire that can't ever be harvested for happiness.

Filling a Void with Nothing

Addictions

Earlier in my life while I was still a student in middle school I was introduced to the concept of addiction. One particular example was in grade 6 when we did a special unit called VIP, Values Influences and Peers. Once a week a police officer came in to talk to us about how we should choose our friends and what types of activities we became involved in as we became more independent. We watched a film titled “Through a Blue Lens” which described the life of a junkie in Vancouver. Other times we would watch movies about smoking and people who used to smoke but had chosen to quit and had either succeeded or were in the process of succeeding. In all of these encounters with the chemically dependent it seemed to me that those who faced the challenge of breaking their addiction were given special attention and gratification from friends, family, and the people who presented these stories to us. They seemed to receive a sort of glorification that attracted me. I remember briefly entertaining the thought of starting an addiction of some sort purely to take on the challenge of promptly defeating it. Of course I never actually carried this out but it makes me wonder at the nature of addictions. What would make someone start something that they knew would cost them a lot of money and possibly their life?

Now, older and maybe a bit wiser or at least more educated, analyzing addictions they seem an odd habit. I find it easy to encourage others to quit their addictions and to look down on those who cannot or choose to not overcome their afflictions. There must be something about need and fulfillment of that need that is comforting. In my own experience of addiction I first partook to receive some sort of return. However, minutes after I'm filled with regret and confusion as to whether I did the wrong thing. And yet after making a decision to rule out this addiction as even a remote option I find myself returning to it only days later.

Why? Perhaps for the fleeting comfort that it brings to some sort of void. Whatever comfort there is disappears leaving only regret and yet another declaration of never again. The mind plays tricks on your heart convincing you that it really is okay. Thinking too hard about the ethics behind such an addiction does not allow one to continue with it so this is avoided. The thinking comes after when you realize you're wrong to skirt around the issues and continue on. On further consideration there is really no benefit to the action and nothing is gained that won't disappear and once again create a desire that needs to be filled.

It comes down to doing what you know what is right. If you regret it after, don't do it. If you find evidence that it's wrong stop it. Don't make excuses, don't allow indulgence once a week. Find ways to recognize your addiction and distract yourself from it until the need passes. Who do you want to be and does this make you that person? (H. Huebner) I have new appreciation for the difficulty that quitting an addiction brings and new fervor to persevere.

The Comfort of Mortality

It's funny, I feel comforted by the thought that we will all die someday. Everyone is mortal. Everyone is imperfect in some way. Death is one thing that everyone has in common, no matter what. No matter how hard you try, your body will never be flawless, your organs will eventually wear out. You can't buy a new brain or a new soul to replace your first one. It doesn't matter how hard you work to maintain a healthy body and mind, someday it will perish. When we all return to dust, to the material from which we were created, we will be equal. No one will have more possessions. It won't matter who made the most money per hour because all of our needs will be fulfilled. You could own five different Mercedes and have three houses in your name, but when you die you can't drive those cars and you can't walk in that house. The cars won't remember your name, those houses won't tell stories of the time you shared with your friends and family because you didn't spend it. A closet full of suits doesn't mean anything to the boy who inherits them if he didn't know the man who wore them.

So what are we living for if not to acquire the most toys? Living for ourselves will only bring us wealth that we don't share and too many possessions to use. The number associated with our name will reflect the overtime hours not spent with people who should be important to us. If life isn't to be lived for ourselves and our own greedy consumerism, for what do we live?

Relationship is what makes this life worth living. Relationship with people, with the earth. Relationship with the creation that we are a part of and all that will become apart of what we once were. To be in a community of people who care about the same important things that you do. Living with people who have different talents and who together make up a humanity that grows and flourishes building each other up instead of tearing each other down.

Living a life that has a purpose and goal that runs deeper than saving for a bigger watch and more expensive suit. Living for a dream, working towards a world where nationalism doesn't divide people into states that struggle to dominate each other, exploiting the resources of others in order to maximize their own. I live in the hope that those who come after me will enjoy a cleaner world that is more peaceful than mine.

So the next time you're left with a surplus from your paycheck share it with someone who can use it instead of adding another few numbers to a life that affects no one but yourself and is forgotten the day there is no one to make a deposit that won't benefit anything but your greed and desire for power.

We all die, human life cannot be prolonged by riches, so why live for yourself when you can live for the world? Live for something that will leave a legacy you'll be proud of.

Summer Musings

This blog is the net that will hopefully catch all my summer musings. Enjoy.