Mind's Perception

[Xipoid]

I want to know how your mind bends the reality around it. The following questions are merely examples. Posts following this one need not contain direct or indirect answers to these questions. (The phrase "To you, " is regarded as understood and prefacing all subsequent questions.)

- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?
- What exactly is happiness?
- What is the meaning/purpose of life?
- What is the most heinous of crimes?
- When is self-sacrifice worth it?
- What matters?



Myself, the world is utterly cold and without emotion. Beyond natural law (those described in physics and its many branches; consequences of existence), there are no laws. No judges, no juries, no peers. Anything and everything without physical form is a human made concept or representation (excluding things like gravity; something about gravitons etc...). They only exist through the prison of one's own mind, and incidentally similar sentiments can be shared by others (e.g. morals). I find the only things I can truly give consideration are those bound only by natural law. Otherwise only a sparing glance will suffice. Sometimes I ask myself if I am too unfeeling and cold, but I can never bring myself to care.


My answers:
- Emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles
- Whatever my neural network says*
- Anything I want it to be
- Wasting time
- Never, the expression is always negative. A loss (not to mention the most costly loss) is incurred while anything gained cannot be used and thus is taken as a value of 0.
- To me myself and consequently my happiness, but in the general sense, nothing not even nonexistence.

*As outlined by someone smarter than me:
1. Be part of something bigger than yourself
2. Have something to look forward to
3. Have someone to share love with


In summation, I am a hedonistic nihilist (might be redundant). How about you?



P.S.
Here's an interesting phrase:
"The mind is like a lens. No matter how much you polish it, it is still as warped as before. In order to change how it sees, you must scar it much as the painter must scar a blank canvas with color."

 

[Lillie Charllotte]

- What exactly is happiness? Life
- What is the meaning/purpose of life? To learn.
- What is the most heinous of crimes? Murder
- When is self-sacrifice worth it? No.
- What matters? Everything.
=D

 

[Takun]

- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?

It's between a terrible slum and a euphoric place. While the sinister characters are a minority, they shine the brightest so to speak. We live in a time when one person can essentially cause catastrophic damage.

- What exactly is happiness?

Happiness or more specifically joy is hard to explain but easy to see. It is very obvious when someone is really happy. They 'float' about so to speak, everything about them radiates and is almost contagious. I for one get giddy, it's weird and out of character for me but it happens.

- What is the meaning/purpose of life?

To die. That is the purpose. Everything leads up to that final breath of air. The important thing is to not dwell on that and make the best of the time you have. Happiness is often the reason for living. Other reasons include religious beliefs.

- What is the most heinous of crimes?

Lying to yourself. Simply put, you can do no greater injustice then to be false with yourself. How can you expect others to believe you when you aren't honest with number 1.

- When is self-sacrifice worth it?

Never. Death is never worth it. Self-sacrifice is an anomaly with the natural fight or flight reflex. However, humans in general don't make sense. So placing a worth on a life doesn't really work out. To be blunt, it is worth it to anyone whose life was saved and not worth it to anyway who the death caused pain.

- What matters?

Love. Living. Growing as a person. Being happy.

Edited cause I typed this early in the morning and wow I made mistakes.

 

[Azure]

- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?

Emotionless void. There is no law but natural law, all else is our skewed perception of it.

What exactly is happiness?
Comfortable shoes and a warm meal.

What is the meaning/purpose of life?
To die. All other meaning attributed is on a personal basis, and not subject to the analysis or understand of another.

What is the most heinous of crimes?
Not attempting to better ones self. To deny yourself your full ability and accept the status quo.

When is self-sacrifice worth it?
If you are assured of death anyway, and in a situation that requires a sacrifice of such magnitude, and is within your ability to grant, then it is acceptable. Other than that, it is a useless gesture. The person you saved can't live for you.

What matters?
Nothing, really.

 

[Grimfang]

I find my state of mind always fleeting, so what I say now may be completely different in a week or a month from now. But in general, and for now..

Like they say, it's all subjective. I see the 'world' (not in the literal sense, but more of our little prison together) as more of a population. I don't need someone to point it out to me to know that I fail at it, but I try to be as outgoing and positive as I can be. I honestly couldn't say if I've turned a new leaf, or if I'm just waiting to hit my negative 'cycle' again. I try to make a decent impression of myself in everyday life. It may be a bit different here, but I guess the same in some ways.

What I'm trying to get at: The world is full of potentially in-need people. Everyone has the ability to give, at the very least, in words. In the very shortest terms, that's the best I can put it.

To list Xipoid's examples:
- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?
- What exactly is happiness?
- What is the meaning/purpose of life?
- What is the most heinous of crimes?
- When is self-sacrifice worth it?
- What matters?

The answer to most of those lies in relationships, for me. The most value and happiness I can find in anything all comes from the relationships I have with the people around me. I think therein lies happiness, what matters, what the world is about.

I completely misunderstood the question about self-sacrifice. I wasn't sure if it was just meant as giving to a larger degree, or if suicide was the intended meaning. As for suicide, of course, it can't be seen in an optimistic light, but I do think it sometimes may just come down to it. Sometimes there is no other way. I'm not trying to encourage, nor justify the notion. Sometimes people suffer a loss they couldn't afford to lose, but I don't really have money/possessions in mind.

As far as the most heinous of crimes.. I'd say it would lie within one's mind. As Takumi said, self-deception. You can convince yourself of anything, and usually the worst of crimes requires intense rationalization or some twisted justification.


Meh. I'm not completely happy with how I explained all this but I guess it does the job. As far as I can tell, we have one life. Love.


God.. I'm such a queer hippie. <3

 

[Thatch]

- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?

None of the above and all at once. Because these are just points on the spectrum of what the world is. It just depends on the moment.

- What exactly is happiness?

The state of mind where negatives are irrelevant.

- What is the meaning/purpose of life?

To do something that contributes to making the world a better place, while staying satisfied myself. For the less skilled, simple breeding will suffice. Someone has to make the world move.

- What is the most heinous of crimes?

The one that concerns me.

- When is self-sacrifice worth it?

When one decides it is. From my perspective, when it's the only way and and the goal is achieved, thus the life is not wasted effortesly.

- What matters?

Whatever I decide that does

 

[Xaerun]

- What exactly is happiness?
Happiness is being content. Being content is accepting what you have.
Most of humanity will never be happy.
- What is the meaning/purpose of life?
The purpose of life is to end.
^Whilst that is a quote, I like it as a view on the matter.
- What is the most heinous of crimes?
Killing your fellow man.
- When is self-sacrifice worth it?
To save another.
- What matters?
To achieve your goals, to hold your friends close.
Minimise enemies.
The list continues.

I'll go on to mention my religious views.
I believe there is a God. Singular. At least, there is one all-powerful being, whether or not he has 'employees' is yet to be decided. I liken him to the Christian God, but I disagree with many Christian values (homosexuality, for one) and so I do not consider myself a 'true' Christian, but I believe their story, and wouldn't even consider taking it anywhere near literally. (For example, the 7 days of creation could actually be 7 'eras'. I also believe in the Big Bang. My reasoning for it however is "Accepting that suddenly the universe exploded out of nothing, why did it happen? Why did it happen then? Something or someone must have made it happen.")

Many say that if God exists, how did God come into existence. To this, I answer; God is eternal. If they disagree, and still say that he must have begun, I answer; How did the 'nothing' that turned into the Big Bang begin?

 

[Xipoid]

Interesting. To everyone who has already answered, is there any particular philosophical you identify with or perhaps have one of your own?




Azure:
I find with only a little effort I can reword most of your answers into some form of my own, but that might be due to the fact that I have this ability to abuse synonyms, connotations, and word choice. At least, they seem to have been generated from the same underlying principles.


P.S.
Discussion is good, too. If you just want to answer those example questions I threw out (which are in no way very representative), that's fine as well, but don't be afraid to fill the thread with quality and thought. You can even ask questions if you like.

P.P.S
Grimfang, if you adblock that image, it forces the two lines to come together in an implied rapid motion which I find kind of poetic.

 

[ToeClaws]

- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?

Depends on viewpoint. Ultimately, we are subatomic particles that are the leftover byproducts of long gone stars. On a less microscopic level, the world is what we make it for ourselves. All the good and all the bad are results of the human psyche at work (which is... rather limited given our close relation to the less than impressive ape family).

- What exactly is happiness?

The brief times in which the enjoyment of a moment overcome our concerns and grievances to live in the moment and savour it.

- What is the meaning/purpose of life?

We'll likely find out when we're finished the "mortal" chapter of this part of it.

- What is the most heinous of crimes?

Unprovoked and intentional cruelty to any sentient being.

- When is self-sacrifice worth it?

When society can witness and hopefully learn from the act of another human able to put others before him/herself.

- What matters?

All things left after the "dosen't matter" list... which varies different for everyone.

 

[Headcase Hare]

- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?
The world is a place filled with people who are just trying to survive anyway they can. It's not evil, it's not good, it's just surviving.

- What exactly is happiness?
Happiness is realising that you might as well smile, because when you die you can't smile no more. =P

- What is the meaning/purpose of life?
To do what you can, where you can, try to gather as many good memories possible and effect as many people as you can in a positive way. The entire purpose, if there should be one, is to die knowing you did everything you wanted to do.

- What is the most heinous of crimes?
Any crime done at the direct expense of an innocent individual is heinous.

- When is self-sacrifice worth it?
Unless your sacrifice is somehow going to save hundreds of people miraculously; never.

- What matters?
Nothing really matters, if we're looking at it in a universal spectrum. The bottom line to everything is to make something matter.

I'm something of a realist, with a hint of pessimistic optimism. I pretty much indulge in the simple things in life and don't look at the "bigger scheme" of things. I take the good where I can and try to smile through the bad and pretty much live under the motto of "no worries."

 

[Alblaka]

- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?
Quoting myself:

The life is a game, but you neither know the rules, nor the goal.

Is that enough?

- What exactly is happiness?
The ability to understandy, you can simple enjoy the life, regardless what happens...

- What is the meaning/purpose of life?
It's the gate to paradise. But don't trade the key against some fun on earth!

- What is the most heinous of crimes?
huh? (me<German)

- When is self-sacrifice worth it?
Nowhen. It is the way to death... you have to wait for ya time.

- What matters?
Whether you was good or bad in your life, not more.

 

[AuraTwilight]

- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?
Neither of those, really. Reality is how we choose to make it. As long as you are alive, you can find happiness or sadness in anyone or anything.
- What exactly is happiness?
It is the power to accept your lot in life and smile. It is the state of being one with another person. It is the strength to keep marching.
- What is the meaning/purpose of life?
Whatever you choose it to be.
- What is the most heinous of crimes?
To infringe on the rights or will of another sentient being.
- When is self-sacrifice worth it?
To protect that which you love, believe in, or hold dear.
- What matters?
Whatever matters to you is all that should matter.

 

[Takun]

To answer the last question. I consider myself not religious at all. Mostly identify with nihilism.

 

[Chaoswolf666]

- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?:

Well im sort of a spiritual athiest. I believe in science and the connection and flow of all the energy in the universe. Deep down emotions are diffferent reactions to energy but to us organisms its important to be able to survive as the whole collection of energy that we are. In the begining there was chaos and it had settled down to a flow as energy is re-uniting and spreading at the same time. It is still a beautiful thing to me even with all the science involved.

- What exactly is happiness?

Scientifically it is a high flow of energy in the brain when an organism reacts with something positivly. Spiritually it is a moment in this violent and choatic universe in which energy of the "soul" flows smoothly and calmly.

- What is the meaning/purpose of life?
The meaning of life since the begining was for the choatically flowing energy to come together into more complex forms. To me it is the universes way of looking upon itself and understanding itself being that we are a small part of it.

- What is the most heinous of crimes?
To not appriciate your life and probably your only moment to expand your knowledge. Also to hurt other organisms for your own pleasures when you know better and to keep them from having an open mind to everything around them. We are still children because of this and will probably kill eachother before we fullfill our true potential.

- When is self-sacrifice worth it?
When it is used to benifit mankind and the continuation of the universes expansion and unity

- What matters?
Everything, every particle has an interaction in this reality.

 

[M. LeRenard]

- Is the world a euphoric place with a few sinister characters, a terrible slum with the rare shinning paragon, or perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?
From what I can tell, there's a lot of hydrogen and helium and stuff we can't see, but not much else. Everything seems to be based on random chance, which means that any amount of order we might happen to perceive is just an approximation. So I don't think there's much room for human emotion outside of humanity. Emotion is just one possibility out of an infinite number. And then you've got to ask yourself what 'emotion' is in the first place.
- What exactly is happiness?
Subjective, so there's probably no reason you couldn't make your own.
- What is the meaning/purpose of life?
I don't know, so I'm just going to go ahead and make one up. Mostly because the meanings other people have come up with seem kind of stupid to me.
- What is the most heinous of crimes?
Again, it's completely subjective. Some folks would say murder, but if the sun explodes tomorrow the rest of the universe isn't going to care. Not to mention that explosion could trigger the collapse of a cloud of interstellar gas and dust, which would form more suns with more planets with possibly more life, so in the end nothing was lost. With so many unknown factors, you can't predict the consequences of something, and thus the notion of 'crime' can only be considered relative to the society in which it takes place. So in short, I don't bloody know.
- When is self-sacrifice worth it?
When it makes you feel good, but then it's not really a sacrifice, is it?
- What matters?
Things you enjoy.

 

[OssumPawesome]

perhaps a totally emotionless void of apathetic subatomic particles whose only concern is interacting with one another?

*CUTCUTCUT*

Seriously though, I think the world is pretty good. But in all fairness, I'm an upper middle class young white male living in the US.

It honestly doesn't get much easier than that.

 

[Grimfang]

Interesting. To everyone who has already answered, is there any particular philosophical you identify with or perhaps have one of your own?

I wish I could sum everything up.. I've tried sharing the philosophy I run on, but I really just can't seem to find anything :/

P.P.S
Grimfang, if you adblock that image, it forces the two lines to come together in an implied rapid motion which I find kind of poetic.

Are you suggesting that it'd appear as though they are being squished? I'm on the verge of crying "genocide!" on FAF for the sake of my beleaguered bug friends, and the warrantless attacks they have been subjected to many times over now.

 

[Nocturne]

- What exactly is happiness?
- What is the meaning/purpose of life?
- When is self-sacrifice worth it?
- What matters?

The first question has been thoroughly answered, I think. I have these weird hippie/marley-esque ideals that I've come into over time. Therefore the answer to the above questions for me are love, love, for love, and love.

- What is the most heinous of crimes?
To yourself, self doubt as has been said. TO your own self be true would be the appropriate quote. The most heinous of crimes that con be committed on others is to deprive someone of their ability to live happily when unnecessary.

 

[Devi8]

The Meaning of Life
hmm, well, I like to think that the reason we live is to do something important because, when you think of it, it's a miracle that you are alive, out of all the genes and possible configurations you could have came out, you came out how you are, and really it goes further than that. Like, if your mom didn't meet your dad, who would you be? or more like, who would they be?
and What Would the Most Heinous of Crimes would be, well, to me of course, to squander your life that you were given on destroying or hating or even for making stupid descions when you have the ability to some good on any level, weather it be saving Darfur or even keeping helping an old lady cross the street you can do good