What is the purpose of human life? What are we supposed to do? How are we supposed to act? Profound questions that we really don't think about but carry a huge impact. Although we have developed into an organized, controlled society, there is a lot of aimless behavior being engaged in. There is no clear indication as to why us humans exist and to an extent it can get frustrating. The only thing certain in life, unfortunately, is death. Does that mean there is no meaning in life and our existence is really absolutely nothing significant?
I do not agree with that. I believe in the saying that life is what you make it. There is no point in declaring your life is of no value and has no meaning if you are not definitively sure. Albert Camus said "You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life". You just have to live life. No one will know the truth about everything until they die, and even then, death is still a mystery itself. Take it exactly for what it is, an opportunity to experience pleasure, build on to the development and evolution of humans, and when dead, give way to another to do the same. Simply put, develop your own purpose for living, disregarding judgment or inquiry.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Punish the Punk?
Oh Candide, our innocent, sweetheart hero who just so happens to be an officer in the Bulgarian Army, the master of a servant, killed two priests, the love of his life's brother, and two monkeys. Ironic huh? After reading that you most likely would put ol' Candide in the doghouse with everyone else who's bad.
However, with crimes(?) comes punishment. Candide is never shy about finding conflict and landing himself in trouble. But I don't necessarily fault Candide for all his actions.
Say for instance, the gauntlet in Chapter 2. Candide was punished for what the Bulgarian army declared "deserting" or going AWOL. So for a clear misunderstanding, he is given the option of death or basically gradual death for seeking peacefulness. Candide was not aware of what his walk around the countryside would result in. He is not knowledgeable of the military code or rules. He is a disavowed protege sucked into forced brutality. Candide was sheltered most of his life and that was taken away from him so that leads him to be very easily swayed because he wants to live a good life. Although Candide was forced into servitude, he was not aware of the responsibilities of a soldier, and when dealing with someone who is ignorant with that exact idea, he can't be blamed for an infraction of rules. Rules which were not explained to him.
Now let's jump ahead to Candide killing the monkeys in South America. As a punishment, Cacambo and he were bonded and faced death. This is also a misconception. With Candide growing up in Europe, monkeys, we are assuming, are not in close association with humans. They hang out in the jungle, we live in civilized societies. Him seeing such a primitive animal in close contact with a human was surprisingly shocking to him because it was not occurring in his native land. So it was almost instinct for Candide to grip the chrome. No one explained to Candide about the customs of people of that particular world and he was acting on what he believed was the right thing to do.
To conclude, Candide is a symbol of ignorance and a lack of individualism. He is someone who has been crafted by the views of others. From the beginning of the story to know, Candide reminds me of a kid developing into an adult. He has had to learn everything on his own, the hard way. He should not have to be punished for growing up and becoming his own person just like we are.
However, with crimes(?) comes punishment. Candide is never shy about finding conflict and landing himself in trouble. But I don't necessarily fault Candide for all his actions.
Say for instance, the gauntlet in Chapter 2. Candide was punished for what the Bulgarian army declared "deserting" or going AWOL. So for a clear misunderstanding, he is given the option of death or basically gradual death for seeking peacefulness. Candide was not aware of what his walk around the countryside would result in. He is not knowledgeable of the military code or rules. He is a disavowed protege sucked into forced brutality. Candide was sheltered most of his life and that was taken away from him so that leads him to be very easily swayed because he wants to live a good life. Although Candide was forced into servitude, he was not aware of the responsibilities of a soldier, and when dealing with someone who is ignorant with that exact idea, he can't be blamed for an infraction of rules. Rules which were not explained to him.
Now let's jump ahead to Candide killing the monkeys in South America. As a punishment, Cacambo and he were bonded and faced death. This is also a misconception. With Candide growing up in Europe, monkeys, we are assuming, are not in close association with humans. They hang out in the jungle, we live in civilized societies. Him seeing such a primitive animal in close contact with a human was surprisingly shocking to him because it was not occurring in his native land. So it was almost instinct for Candide to grip the chrome. No one explained to Candide about the customs of people of that particular world and he was acting on what he believed was the right thing to do.
To conclude, Candide is a symbol of ignorance and a lack of individualism. He is someone who has been crafted by the views of others. From the beginning of the story to know, Candide reminds me of a kid developing into an adult. He has had to learn everything on his own, the hard way. He should not have to be punished for growing up and becoming his own person just like we are.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
How Do I Know What I Know?
How I Know?
Most of what I know comes from experience and perception. I am never satisfied by things passed on to me by word of mouth with no validity. Anytime I am/was struck by curiosity, I simply just do a bit of experimentation, research and inquiry.
What I Know?
As a display, I'll share how I know a human being can't survive in Antarctica nude. Doing research (both recent searches on Scientific America), the average temperature in Antarctica is -89.2 C(-128.6 F). The average body temperature of a human is 36.8 C(98.2 F) (common knowledge). It is already hazardous for your body temperature to go below 96 F (recent hospital visit for low blood pressure enlightened me on this) so it is safe to say there you will die in a matter of ten minute intervals. To get more technical, being nude in a cold climate will cause your body to get tense and numb. Your hands or feet or both can get inflicted with frostbite if untreated and I know that from experience (playing in the snow one day without gloves or shoes). Frostbite will hinder you from being able to seek/build shelter, search for food or find aid of any sort. The waters of the arctic are freezing cold and can kill you. From watching The Day After Tomorrow(a movie with Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhall), I know that the waters in the Atlantic Ocean (5 C, 41 F) can kill you in 10-20 mins with clothes on, so without it is shortened to 2. From loss of nutrition and water, you life expectancy shortens to about 6 days considering these conditions (7-8 weeks in regular conditions).
Conclusion
So now you know how I know nude in Antarctica=eventual death. Please don't go somewhere nude cold.
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