Is there moral goodness, what is goodness to you?
There’s no such thing as good or bad. There is only.
What is the importance of space exploration in our society?
People need to know that there is something out there beyond our jobs and our schools and our money. Space exploration gives us hope that there is actually something more out there.
How do you create meaningful experience in your life?
I think. Looking at this page it’s just random letters and words and images. By thinking I give meaning to these sentences. By thinking I give meaning to all this shit.
How do you manage ennui?
I had to look up that word. According to Webster’s Dictionary Ennui means “a lack of spirit, enthusiasm, or interest.” I really don’t manage ennui at all. It comes and goes as it pleases.
Many Existentialist define existence as being-in-the-world or being-with-others. What do you think is the role of community, in relation to the development of one’s self?
Community is important. I think I agree with the existentialists dudes. Community really shapes who you are. I’ll take it a step further and say everyone in the world is a poser.
Are you afraid that everything will happen?
Everything has already happened. Every possible outcome has already occurred and/or is occurring simultaneously in an alternate universe. History repeating, etc, shit like that. I’m more afraid that I won’t have a say in making shit happen. That I won’t be able to control my own destiny or have an impact on the future. That I am allowing everything to happen without making anything happen. Ahh yes, to be helpless and not in control, a fear worse than death.
In Albert Camus’ famous novel ‘The Stranger’ the central character, Mersault, is able to tolerate life in prison fairly well because of his general detachment. Is it fair to say that many people in our society “detach” as a way of coping with the violent unjust system that has been thrust upon us by history?
Yea def. Drug addicts, criminals, people who cheat on their spouses, those people who work mad hours, even monks and people who meditate all day. I think everyone tries to cope. Right now I’m thinking of people with shopping addictions, religious freaks shit everybody. Since the day we are born we are being assaulted with standards, shit thats acceptable to society, gender norms, anything you can think of. Everyone has a different way of coping. Besides the obvious differences I could imagine the story of this guy Mersault being the exact same as some guy who decided to venture to Asia and become a monk. Sometimes shit gets way realer when you let go.
How do you make earnest connection in a world of instant gratification?
When I used to drink I would always be that dude who drank all night but you could rarely tell if I was drunk. I would be that guy sitting there at 4 in the morning trying to have a deadass serious conversation with the last straggler to leave the party. I guess my answer is to instant gratify to the point where there is no more gratifying left and only “earnest connection”. Yes, that is the answer.
