3 ms·

So what is important then? You can take Occam's Razor to most things in life... At the root of it we're just animals and we don't need much above subsistence to

by anonu 2y ago

So what is important then? You can take Occam's Razor to most things in life... At the root of it we're just animals and we don't need much above subsistence to live life. Everything we enjoy and desire are just products of our culture. I've come across a few posts recently talking about relationships and friendships. When you're in your old age and look back, this is what you remember. If chess is a proxy to that, then it's meaningful.

blagie 2y ago
I like the book Man's Search for Meaning. Per that philosophy, what carries meaning is helping others. The builds the deepest friendships. If you don't have a way to do that -- all needs are met, and people don't need help -- playing a game of Settlers or Chess is a form a socialization and helpful. But overall, if you can work together towards some meaningful cause, that builds something deeper. Pick one of these: * OpenAI just went from "Let's prevent Skynet" to "Let's build Skynet for power and profit" * Health. Pick one. * Education. * Food insecurity * War on Ukraine ... Depending on your position and personality, either try to fix it, or try to fix some small element of it. Something like "education" can be anything from tutoring one child in your neighborhood to trying to build a worldwide free online university. "Health" can be anything from organizing a sports soccer club for kids in your community to trying to cure cancer. That's important. Other corners: * Causes: Abortion (saving babies versus women's rights). Gun control (2nd amendment/rule-of-law versus saving lives). Religion. vi/emacs/MS Code. Some of these appear to have a clear right/wrong (but some would argue we have no objective way to tell which is which), some do not, but if you get drawn in, these will simply suck your soul and you'll do no good. It's mostly just destructive struggle. * Personal gain: Again, empty void. Those are worse than chess.
- gpderetta 2y ago
  > Religion. vi/emacs/MS Code. Some of these appear to have a clear right/wrong Clearly Emacs in this case. /flamebait
  - orwin 2y ago
    But if you use emacs in evil mode, are you really using emacs?
  - blagie 2y ago
    I personally use emacs, but I acknowledge the scientifically proven superiority of vi. The superiority of vi was demonstrated -- indisputably, and using the strongest of possible methodologies -- in 1998. Unless something has changed significantly since then, I cannot argue, in good faith, that I use a superior editor.
jebarker 2y ago
> So what is important then? Nothing. Importance and meaning are human constructs. What is important/meaningful to each of us is simply what _feels_ important/meaningful to us. There's no extrinsic measure of importance/meaning, although others will continually try to tell you there is. It's true though that for many (most?) people relationships feel meaningful, so it's a good bet to do things that build those if you're not sure.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
gmuslera 2y ago
You are looking at the wrong end of the stick. Things are not intrinsically meaningful, we are the ones giving and defining meaning. And a subset of meanings can be shared with your culture. Only that, but all of that. So, take your pick, or follow what others think.

by anonu 2y ago

blagie 2y ago

I like the book Man's Search for Meaning. Per that philosophy, what carries meaning is helping others. The builds the deepest friendships. If you don't have a way to do that -- all needs are met, and people don't need help -- playing a game of Settlers or Chess is a form a socialization and helpful. But overall, if you can work together towards some meaningful cause, that builds something deeper. Pick one of these: * OpenAI just went from "Let's prevent Skynet" to "Let's build Skynet for power and profit" * Health. Pick one. * Education. * Food insecurity * War on Ukraine ... Depending on your position and personality, either try to fix it, or try to fix some small element of it. Something like "education" can be anything from tutoring one child in your neighborhood to trying to build a worldwide free online university. "Health" can be anything from organizing a sports soccer club for kids in your community to trying to cure cancer. That's important. Other corners: * Causes: Abortion (saving babies versus women's rights). Gun control (2nd amendment/rule-of-law versus saving lives). Religion. vi/emacs/MS Code. Some of these appear to have a clear right/wrong (but some would argue we have no objective way to tell which is which), some do not, but if you get drawn in, these will simply suck your soul and you'll do no good. It's mostly just destructive struggle. * Personal gain: Again, empty void. Those are worse than chess.

gpderetta 2y ago
> Religion. vi/emacs/MS Code. Some of these appear to have a clear right/wrong Clearly Emacs in this case. /flamebait
- orwin 2y ago
  But if you use emacs in evil mode, are you really using emacs?
- blagie 2y ago
  I personally use emacs, but I acknowledge the scientifically proven superiority of vi. The superiority of vi was demonstrated -- indisputably, and using the strongest of possible methodologies -- in 1998. Unless something has changed significantly since then, I cannot argue, in good faith, that I use a superior editor.

jebarker 2y ago

> So what is important then? Nothing. Importance and meaning are human constructs. What is important/meaningful to each of us is simply what _feels_ important/meaningful to us. There's no extrinsic measure of importance/meaning, although others will continually try to tell you there is. It's true though that for many (most?) people relationships feel meaningful, so it's a good bet to do things that build those if you're not sure.

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]

gmuslera 2y ago

You are looking at the wrong end of the stick. Things are not intrinsically meaningful, we are the ones giving and defining meaning. And a subset of meanings can be shared with your culture. Only that, but all of that. So, take your pick, or follow what others think.