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Many times, in my career while negotiating something with another party I've said, "Let's get this fixed, it won't mean much to either of us in 50 years and in
by kator 9y ago
Many times, in my career while negotiating something with another party I've said, "Let's get this fixed, it won't mean much to either of us in 50 years and in 100 nobody will remember either of us."
I've managed to solve some pretty hairy problems saying that, the other party usually pauses and realizes the futility of our disagreement and we work something out.
Call me morbid but I started saying that when I was 18 years old.
I also say, "I raise my kids for me to die". It shocks people when I say it but what parent wants to outlive their children? Honestly my goal is to teach them how to make good decisions and find what feeds their soul for their short stay in this world.
I’ve read many things over the years about the deep need for humans to somehow push death out beyond their consciousness because otherwise it would destroy them to think every day could be the end of them.
I don’t see it that way, I feel like I borrowed these atoms my body is assembled from and it’s my goal to use them to learn, love and enjoy the amazing reality we live in every day. Today could be my last, so what, at some point I must give my atoms back to the universe for whatever purpose they find in the future. Today they’re mine, and I’m happy to have them just a bit longer to discover a tiny bit more about our existence and the people around us all.
- martalist 9y agoIt's not morbid, but sensible. No-one gets out of life alive. An unexpected death in my immediate family several years ago helped me realize how underprepared most of us are for death; for all the people and living things around us to die. Rather than be caught surprised, I've tried to remember that life can end in any moment, and it's best to make the most of things (and borrowed atoms, as you say) while you can.
- marktangotango 9y agoIndeed, losing a loved one used to be common, now it's exceptional. One thing that struck me when reading Dickens was how prominent death was. Everyone had family members who'd died. Mothers, fathers, children, siblings. I think almost universally in the current era we take life and health for granted. The advent of antibiotics and sanitation has really had a profound effect. We know this, but we don't know this. On the one hand, some one realizing the seeming meaninglessness of existence is banal. This is well trod ground for many after all. But on the other hand it's also a an xkcd 1053[1] privilege to be a part of the authors epiphany. Personally, for myself, the question of 'what legacy shall I leave?' resulted in finally settling down and having children of my own. I felt like I received an immense gift of a kind, warm, and loving home. I seek to continue that legacy with my own family. Because in the end, that's all most can hope to do; be a positive influence on the generations to come. [1] https://xkcd.com/1053/ https://xkcd.com/1053/
- bpizzi 9y ago> at some point I must give my atoms back to the universe for whatever purpose they find in the future Nitpick: you're already giving back everyday a fairly high amount of atoms to the universe. Actually, it looks like a hight percentage of your original atoms have already been replaced many times [0]. [0] http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=11893583 http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?story...
- makira 9y agoYou probably know about "A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy" by William B Irvine. If not, I think you would enjoy it.