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> A monk living a minimalist life was not sick. Hermits living alone, most always in pathetic circumstances, were consulted for thier wisdom. Monks and hermits

> A monk living a minimalist life was not sick. Hermits living alone, most always in pathetic circumstances, were consulted for thier wisdom. Monks and hermits were praying to their God and meditating on spiritual topics, not playing video games and posting on internet forums which is what the hikikomori mostly do.

falcolas 8y ago
Thought experiment. Which of those provides more value over the long run? Both to the invidividual and to society at large. Do you consider your posting in this thread to be a overall positive? I do. I think it provides more value than praying over the topic would. For that reason alone, I wouldn’t necessarily consider the hikikomori to be worse than monks. Just a thought.
- watwut 8y ago
  Monasteries seek to be self sufficient and work is part of daily routine of monks. Also, monastery has a choice of accepting novice or not and monk has to put in a lot of effort to be accepted in. They are subject to strict rules and discipline. Monks did not just unilateraly closed themselves off expecting parents to take care of them. Also, monks made or should made thought out choice. They did not locked themselves out of depression, fear and lack of energy to go outside. I don't find being monk or nun something that makes much sense, but it is not nearly the same thing.
- ThrowawayR2 8y ago
  > I think it provides more value than praying over the topic would. You seem to think I'm advocating religion somehow; if so, you are quite mistaken. Yes, spending time contemplating philosophical and spiritual questions, whether through a secular context or a religious context, is going to provide more value to the individual (and, indirectly, to society) than playing video games or posting on HN. How is this even in question?
- simonsarris 8y ago
  Monks working diligently copying books (which were easily destroyed or lost for a few thousand years, so every copy was additional safety from being lost forever) are the only reason we have so many ancient texts. I think the sum of monks probably provided more value than the hikikomori, especially if you consider second order effects (preserved texts allowed the Florentine re-discovery of classical Greek/Roman philosophy, starting the Renaissance period)
caymanjim 8y ago
I find belief in god, prayer, and spirituality to be incomprehensible activities indicative of mental illness (usually completely harmless, sometimes not). Are you saying that a lack of socialization due to religion is healthy, while being a "shut-in" and playing video games is a problem? I think they're both potentially problematic, but the former isn't better or healthier, and the latter isn't worse.

falcolas 8y ago

Thought experiment. Which of those provides more value over the long run? Both to the invidividual and to society at large. Do you consider your posting in this thread to be a overall positive? I do. I think it provides more value than praying over the topic would. For that reason alone, I wouldn’t necessarily consider the hikikomori to be worse than monks. Just a thought.

watwut 8y ago
Monasteries seek to be self sufficient and work is part of daily routine of monks. Also, monastery has a choice of accepting novice or not and monk has to put in a lot of effort to be accepted in. They are subject to strict rules and discipline. Monks did not just unilateraly closed themselves off expecting parents to take care of them. Also, monks made or should made thought out choice. They did not locked themselves out of depression, fear and lack of energy to go outside. I don't find being monk or nun something that makes much sense, but it is not nearly the same thing.
ThrowawayR2 8y ago
> I think it provides more value than praying over the topic would. You seem to think I'm advocating religion somehow; if so, you are quite mistaken. Yes, spending time contemplating philosophical and spiritual questions, whether through a secular context or a religious context, is going to provide more value to the individual (and, indirectly, to society) than playing video games or posting on HN. How is this even in question?
simonsarris 8y ago
Monks working diligently copying books (which were easily destroyed or lost for a few thousand years, so every copy was additional safety from being lost forever) are the only reason we have so many ancient texts. I think the sum of monks probably provided more value than the hikikomori, especially if you consider second order effects (preserved texts allowed the Florentine re-discovery of classical Greek/Roman philosophy, starting the Renaissance period)

caymanjim 8y ago

I find belief in god, prayer, and spirituality to be incomprehensible activities indicative of mental illness (usually completely harmless, sometimes not). Are you saying that a lack of socialization due to religion is healthy, while being a "shut-in" and playing video games is a problem? I think they're both potentially problematic, but the former isn't better or healthier, and the latter isn't worse.