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Well, you also didn't exist before you were born, for a very long time.. Does that bother you too? It's very common to have existential crises (and other relat

Well, you also didn't exist before you were born, for a very long time.. Does that bother you too? It's very common to have existential crises (and other related crises) in your teens/20s. I certainly did. I read some philosophy-type books on the meaning of life which helped with that. (Klemke's The Meaning of Life anthology was one I remember that helped a lot.) Ok, so... not living forever seems..bad? So..if you lived forever, that would somehow give you meaning to your life? I can't really see how it would, even if it were possible. An infinite life would probably be infinitely boring. (I don't think people really can imagine forever or eternity) Surely the brevity of life makes its moments more precious. Think on what you're grateful for, treasure the people around you. What an amazing miracle it is to somehow be conscious, alive, here, now, on this planet. I don't think "What is the meaning of life?" is a good question - we give our lives meaning by the things we're involved in. Who cares if they don't last forever? Is a piece of music, a meal, a conversation, a day, the worse for coming to an end? People can help you, and it is a serious problem you are having. Get help if you need it - it's being strong to ask for help. Good luck. p.s. Religion[0] provides answers, but false ones, as far as we know. Believing "we live forever", without any evidence, is just burying your head in the sand. Among the basic facts of life are that we are born and we die. Expecting the universe to be like a child's home, with loving parents and everything designed to make us feel good, a moral universe designed around human desires, is wishful thinking. [0] (which I notice a sibling comment has recommended as a solution)

nate_meurer 8y ago
> Religion[0] provides answers, but false ones, as far as we know. It's good to know that this has finally been determined, presumably by teams of qualified scientists, philosophers, and the most honest of holy men. Although, it does seem to render your characterization of consciousness as an "amazing miracle" in a somewhat awkward light.
- yesenadam 8y ago
  "Don't be snarky." Your first sentence seems mere sarcasm, and I don't get what you mean by the second. Only religious people are allowed to use the word 'miracle'? I don't know. If you'd used plain speaking and short words, we could've seen what you really have to say. As it is, I'm left wondering. I said 'as far as we know', which you misrepresent as me saying something about 'finally'. If you have evidence otherwise, you would've mentioned it I suppose; innuendo is all you have. Your quotation in the second sentence also misrepresents what I said. If that matters to you. You wrote like you are on the side of truth before you write a word, that all your audience here will recognize it, that eloquence and long words alone will deliver triumph. Less 'delicacy', more saying what you mean, please.
jondubois 8y ago
>> Well, you also didn't exist before you were born, for a very long time.. Does that bother you too? I guess it's nice to think about that because every person who exists can attest for themselves that it is possible to transition from non-living to living. And maybe if it happened once, maybe it can again... If you believe that consciousness is derived from biological material, then maybe the parts of your DNA which are responsible for consciousness will just show up in some parallel universe after a few billion years and you will get a fresh start.
reading-at-work 8y ago
> Well, you also didn't exist before you were born, for a very long time.. Does that bother you too? I've heard that line before, and I appreciate the sentiment, but it doesn't seem to help in my case. I don't care that I didn't exist before, I care that I exist now and have to face the inevitability of not existing again. Conversely, I realize that living forever is almost equally insane/terrifying depending on how you look at it. But personally, the end of existence feels worse from a conceptual standpoint. I've heard it put this way before: if you encountered an intelligent being who had no biological mortality, would you try to convince it to manually end its life to make its current moments more "precious?" Probably not. To a certain extent, the "appreciate life because of its fleeting nature" idea just seems like a pretty thing nonreligious people tell themselves to have a similar calming effect. I realize it's likely the only way to actually accept it and get on with my life, it just feels "fake," if that makes sense. Regardless, I appreciate your comments, and yes, I will probably seek professional help in the near future.

nate_meurer 8y ago

> Religion[0] provides answers, but false ones, as far as we know. It's good to know that this has finally been determined, presumably by teams of qualified scientists, philosophers, and the most honest of holy men. Although, it does seem to render your characterization of consciousness as an "amazing miracle" in a somewhat awkward light.

yesenadam 8y ago
"Don't be snarky." Your first sentence seems mere sarcasm, and I don't get what you mean by the second. Only religious people are allowed to use the word 'miracle'? I don't know. If you'd used plain speaking and short words, we could've seen what you really have to say. As it is, I'm left wondering. I said 'as far as we know', which you misrepresent as me saying something about 'finally'. If you have evidence otherwise, you would've mentioned it I suppose; innuendo is all you have. Your quotation in the second sentence also misrepresents what I said. If that matters to you. You wrote like you are on the side of truth before you write a word, that all your audience here will recognize it, that eloquence and long words alone will deliver triumph. Less 'delicacy', more saying what you mean, please.

jondubois 8y ago

>> Well, you also didn't exist before you were born, for a very long time.. Does that bother you too? I guess it's nice to think about that because every person who exists can attest for themselves that it is possible to transition from non-living to living. And maybe if it happened once, maybe it can again... If you believe that consciousness is derived from biological material, then maybe the parts of your DNA which are responsible for consciousness will just show up in some parallel universe after a few billion years and you will get a fresh start.

reading-at-work 8y ago

> Well, you also didn't exist before you were born, for a very long time.. Does that bother you too? I've heard that line before, and I appreciate the sentiment, but it doesn't seem to help in my case. I don't care that I didn't exist before, I care that I exist now and have to face the inevitability of not existing again. Conversely, I realize that living forever is almost equally insane/terrifying depending on how you look at it. But personally, the end of existence feels worse from a conceptual standpoint. I've heard it put this way before: if you encountered an intelligent being who had no biological mortality, would you try to convince it to manually end its life to make its current moments more "precious?" Probably not. To a certain extent, the "appreciate life because of its fleeting nature" idea just seems like a pretty thing nonreligious people tell themselves to have a similar calming effect. I realize it's likely the only way to actually accept it and get on with my life, it just feels "fake," if that makes sense. Regardless, I appreciate your comments, and yes, I will probably seek professional help in the near future.