4 ms·

what is the point

by ceedan 9y ago

what is the point

PhantomGremlin 9y ago
This got downvoted, but IMO it's a legitimate question. Just because it's possible to attempt something, doesn't mean that it should be done or that it's a good idea. Does anyone have any better answer than "to set a record", or "just because"? I do give the guy props for taking it seriously. Given the constraints he has imposed on himself he seems very well prepared. But, together with the parent poster, I just can't see the point.
- comboy 9y ago
  There is no point. Entropy keeps increasing. This guy set himself a clear goal and is trying to achieve it. It probably brings him some fulfillment regardless of the result.
- Jyalm 9y ago
  Why do people climb mountains? Why do people swim? Why do people build things? Why do people bother getting up in the morning? What's the point in living? I feel bad for putting it that way, especially if someone younger reads it, because this can lead to developing a cynical world view that isn't necessarily valid. I'm not trying to give you an existential crisis or something, but go down the (thought) avenue completely if you're taking a trip to that destination, don't just stop in the middle of the road. People do things because they enjoy them or simply want to; life is hopefully enjoyable for most, and then sadly but inevitably we all die one day.
  - cbanek 9y ago
    To quote Spock: "Perhaps 'because it is there' is not sufficient reason for climbing a mountain?"
  - BenjiWiebe 9y ago
    I'm often not sure why people bother getting up in the morning.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- jfoutz 9y ago
  Let me rephrase 'what's the point' to 'have any meaning'. I think that captures what you're trying to get across, but i could be way way wrong (please enlighten me if i am wrong). Why on earth would someone waste time on such a meaningless activity? Meaning is a really hard thing for me to pin down. Most people go to work, not because work is fun, but because they want money. to them, it's real, meaningful security. It's a place to live and food to eat. The 'meaning' is pretty clear. Some of those people work to provide for their families. These are pretty clear, easy examples. I screw around reading hacker news, and getting into discussions, because sometimes they're really fun. The meaning, for me, is exposure to other viewpoints and ways of thinking about the world. I do have to admit, i'm probably getting my life sucked out of me doing this, five minutes at a time, with silly comments like these. But i rationalize and such, and invest these conversations with meaning. As far as i can tell, there's really only two possible ways to have meaning. Stuff that i think is important (poor word choice. Stuff i'm perhaps emotionally invested in, or enjoy, or am attracted to). The other way is theological. I'm not a theological person, so i'll set that aside as meaningless. But i'm happy to follow that sort of argument if you want to make it. Again, i'm here for the viewpoint, because that's the part that has meaning to me. Perhaps this is all rambling nonsense. I'll try to make some sort of point. Do you do anything meaningful for a reason other than it's important to you or (maybe) your god? For any reason you pick, i can find you a person that made a different choice. For example, you chose to spend some time on HN tonight. I can guarantee my mom didn't spend any time on this site. You (or maybe your god) invests the world with meaning. You get to pick how to spend your day. I get to pick how to spend my day. We probably don't make the same choices. The boat guy, he makes very different choices than both of us. But that's ok. The choices we make probably look just as pointless to him as his choices do to us. We'll all be dead soon enough. I'd encourage you to let people doing weird stuff just be weird - as long as you feel they're not endangering the rest of us somehow. That guy is going to try a crazy thing. I also think it's meaningless. But it's not meaningless to him. I'd suggest that criticizing someone for trying a meaningless thing is even more meaningless. you're going to die someday buddy. Do stuff that means something to you.
- caconym_ 9y ago
  What is the point of anything? Why do you get out of bed every morning and not just lie there waiting to die instead?
ge96 9y ago
Man I envy that you were able to speak your mind... you know how many minutes/versions I spent agonizing over my initial response. This seems like obvious troll-material like our dear President Trump. Anyway not related to that but I have this habit of pleasing people and not saying no/speaking my mind. Fuck that. I saw this and thought it was stupid. It's a guy sitting in a square box with a mast on it. That was my initial reaction. Granted after reading I see there is research. It has a lid/cover/emergency floatation. Also granted, it's something of an "achievement' not just strutting around bragging about nothing. Edit: Although why do I care, let this guy push boundaries, good luck and have fun, be safe. This guy's out there doing something rather than complaining about life or whatever... I am the problem here. I can't choose a side. I don't know who I am... hahaha. Sad.

what is the point

by ceedan 9y ago

what is the point

This got downvoted, but IMO it's a legitimate question. Just because it's possible to attempt something, doesn't mean that it should be done or that it's a good idea. Does anyone have any better answer than "to set a record", or "just because"? I do give the guy props for taking it seriously. Given the constraints he has imposed on himself he seems very well prepared. But, together with the parent poster, I just can't see the point.

comboy 9y ago
There is no point. Entropy keeps increasing. This guy set himself a clear goal and is trying to achieve it. It probably brings him some fulfillment regardless of the result.
Jyalm 9y ago
Why do people climb mountains? Why do people swim? Why do people build things? Why do people bother getting up in the morning? What's the point in living? I feel bad for putting it that way, especially if someone younger reads it, because this can lead to developing a cynical world view that isn't necessarily valid. I'm not trying to give you an existential crisis or something, but go down the (thought) avenue completely if you're taking a trip to that destination, don't just stop in the middle of the road. People do things because they enjoy them or simply want to; life is hopefully enjoyable for most, and then sadly but inevitably we all die one day.
- cbanek 9y ago
  To quote Spock: "Perhaps 'because it is there' is not sufficient reason for climbing a mountain?"
- BenjiWiebe 9y ago
  I'm often not sure why people bother getting up in the morning.
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
jfoutz 9y ago
Let me rephrase 'what's the point' to 'have any meaning'. I think that captures what you're trying to get across, but i could be way way wrong (please enlighten me if i am wrong). Why on earth would someone waste time on such a meaningless activity? Meaning is a really hard thing for me to pin down. Most people go to work, not because work is fun, but because they want money. to them, it's real, meaningful security. It's a place to live and food to eat. The 'meaning' is pretty clear. Some of those people work to provide for their families. These are pretty clear, easy examples. I screw around reading hacker news, and getting into discussions, because sometimes they're really fun. The meaning, for me, is exposure to other viewpoints and ways of thinking about the world. I do have to admit, i'm probably getting my life sucked out of me doing this, five minutes at a time, with silly comments like these. But i rationalize and such, and invest these conversations with meaning. As far as i can tell, there's really only two possible ways to have meaning. Stuff that i think is important (poor word choice. Stuff i'm perhaps emotionally invested in, or enjoy, or am attracted to). The other way is theological. I'm not a theological person, so i'll set that aside as meaningless. But i'm happy to follow that sort of argument if you want to make it. Again, i'm here for the viewpoint, because that's the part that has meaning to me. Perhaps this is all rambling nonsense. I'll try to make some sort of point. Do you do anything meaningful for a reason other than it's important to you or (maybe) your god? For any reason you pick, i can find you a person that made a different choice. For example, you chose to spend some time on HN tonight. I can guarantee my mom didn't spend any time on this site. You (or maybe your god) invests the world with meaning. You get to pick how to spend your day. I get to pick how to spend my day. We probably don't make the same choices. The boat guy, he makes very different choices than both of us. But that's ok. The choices we make probably look just as pointless to him as his choices do to us. We'll all be dead soon enough. I'd encourage you to let people doing weird stuff just be weird - as long as you feel they're not endangering the rest of us somehow. That guy is going to try a crazy thing. I also think it's meaningless. But it's not meaningless to him. I'd suggest that criticizing someone for trying a meaningless thing is even more meaningless. you're going to die someday buddy. Do stuff that means something to you.
caconym_ 9y ago
What is the point of anything? Why do you get out of bed every morning and not just lie there waiting to die instead?

ge96 9y ago

Man I envy that you were able to speak your mind... you know how many minutes/versions I spent agonizing over my initial response. This seems like obvious troll-material like our dear President Trump. Anyway not related to that but I have this habit of pleasing people and not saying no/speaking my mind. Fuck that. I saw this and thought it was stupid. It's a guy sitting in a square box with a mast on it. That was my initial reaction. Granted after reading I see there is research. It has a lid/cover/emergency floatation. Also granted, it's something of an "achievement' not just strutting around bragging about nothing. Edit: Although why do I care, let this guy push boundaries, good luck and have fun, be safe. This guy's out there doing something rather than complaining about life or whatever... I am the problem here. I can't choose a side. I don't know who I am... hahaha. Sad.