Synopsis.
Today is Independence Day. And it is, for me especially symbolic this time around. I have decided to reaffirm my outlook on life and declare my independence from the flawed norm known as convention. For the last few days, I have questioned some of my cynicism relating to human emotions and their role in my life in contrast to their role in the life of most people. I entertained the idea that I could perhaps fit into a world rife with people who I believe are controlled by their emotions.
On Love
I heard a quote in a movie the other day that accurately states my position on the issue of love. "Love is just something people create to feel better about themselves." It is somewhat logical. Isn't the point of love so that both parties can feel better about themselves? The word "just" complicates the logical validity of the statement. It implies that love has no purpose other than to make both parties feel better about themselves. There are several arguments for other reasons for love, none of which are completely logically coherent and all of which depend on a specific definition of love, thereby eliminating any completely logical explanation of some unattainable ideal concept of love. The key word is "ideal". In this day and age (but I'm sure this is nothing new) the world "love" is constantly abused.
On Marriage
At this point in my life I do not see myself getting married. Not in the near future, and possibly not ever. I have been told that my standards are high. I admit that they are very high. I have never met someone who met them. If I did, it would possibly be in grad school or, more likely, when I am teaching at a college or university. Because I see myself in an academic field, I feel that I could not really appreciate someone else who wasn't similarly invested in academics, whether or not she worked at a purely academic career, though I could probably only see myself being won over by brilliant research, writing, or art.. and maybe some witty charm, but only that which could be backed up by actual intelligence. Pseudo intellectuals won't do. I would like to be able to talk to her about pretty much everything - including things that many people may not know. That said, I couldn't foresee my state of mind after receiving my PhD, but a compatible lifestyle would be a must. And not someone who says she wants to do something just because I do. Obviously sacrifices would be made.. like making sure to get jobs in the same area.. most likely a big city. And she must be able to take time off for travel. People today are blindly charging into ill-fated relationships. There is an impulsiveness that corresponds to the need to revert to instincts of a lower order. To blindly follow the emotions is far more often than not a mistake. I compare this to people's reliance on religion, or in less extreme cases, the idea of religion. People prescribe to the idea of love and religion alike are but a few ways to undermine the unpleasant characteristics of the human condition.
On Career
My life and my career should remain as one. Teaching, writing, and composing music are consistently considered three of the most pleasurable careers. The conventional idea of a career seems to be something that drains the very essence of the spirit (assuming one believes in the essential "spirit", which I find to be a foggy concept, but I will hold off on that rant). I could never get so involved in my "work" that I do not take a break. My work is my life. My life's work could not come together if I were to miss out on my own life. I could not think of myself in terms of my career without thinking of my interests and hobbies, because they would be intertwined. At this point, I really cannot see myself outside of academe or the arts. A 9 to 5 job would not get the chance to break my spirit. I could work maybe one shift.
On Money
I cannot see myself making a university professor's salary and going into debt. I read a study that said that though professors made less money than many careers with comparable (and in many cases, even less) educational prerequisites, they were still less likely to go in debt. Money is wasted on status symbols, which are also vastly abused. People need to envision a certain progression as they age in life. They preserve this illusion by blowing more and more of their money as their pay increases on such things as multi-million-dollar homes, expensive cars, designer clothes, watches, etc. (paying for a name), even when they do not have the means. What about charity? As long as you aren't spending more money on charity then you are on yourself (assuming an income no higher than the low six figures).
Maybe there aren't people like me who get joy from being logical and pragmatic. That does not necessarily mean bland. I have many plans for exciting life experiences, let alone the things I have already done and seen. By no means do I short change myself. Anyone who would try to make that argument, I would say, is projecting onto me his or her own doubts. Doubts about the ability to adhere to reason in a good balance to experience. Rather than being the victim of the capricious fancies of change and chance, I see my life as the product of my own manufacture, but nevertheless a path whose turns may at times lead to unpredictable joys and disappointments. I would be naive to claim to have my life figured out, but wise to be confident that I have a solid philosophy as a base to constantly check and continually refine. At least, in that regard, I may defend myself from any unnecessary pain that may distract me from those pains and pleasures which are a product of well-informed and logical decisions only. Mistakes may happen, but they can, to some degree, be phased out.
On Love
I heard a quote in a movie the other day that accurately states my position on the issue of love. "Love is just something people create to feel better about themselves." It is somewhat logical. Isn't the point of love so that both parties can feel better about themselves? The word "just" complicates the logical validity of the statement. It implies that love has no purpose other than to make both parties feel better about themselves. There are several arguments for other reasons for love, none of which are completely logically coherent and all of which depend on a specific definition of love, thereby eliminating any completely logical explanation of some unattainable ideal concept of love. The key word is "ideal". In this day and age (but I'm sure this is nothing new) the world "love" is constantly abused.
On Marriage
At this point in my life I do not see myself getting married. Not in the near future, and possibly not ever. I have been told that my standards are high. I admit that they are very high. I have never met someone who met them. If I did, it would possibly be in grad school or, more likely, when I am teaching at a college or university. Because I see myself in an academic field, I feel that I could not really appreciate someone else who wasn't similarly invested in academics, whether or not she worked at a purely academic career, though I could probably only see myself being won over by brilliant research, writing, or art.. and maybe some witty charm, but only that which could be backed up by actual intelligence. Pseudo intellectuals won't do. I would like to be able to talk to her about pretty much everything - including things that many people may not know. That said, I couldn't foresee my state of mind after receiving my PhD, but a compatible lifestyle would be a must. And not someone who says she wants to do something just because I do. Obviously sacrifices would be made.. like making sure to get jobs in the same area.. most likely a big city. And she must be able to take time off for travel. People today are blindly charging into ill-fated relationships. There is an impulsiveness that corresponds to the need to revert to instincts of a lower order. To blindly follow the emotions is far more often than not a mistake. I compare this to people's reliance on religion, or in less extreme cases, the idea of religion. People prescribe to the idea of love and religion alike are but a few ways to undermine the unpleasant characteristics of the human condition.
On Career
My life and my career should remain as one. Teaching, writing, and composing music are consistently considered three of the most pleasurable careers. The conventional idea of a career seems to be something that drains the very essence of the spirit (assuming one believes in the essential "spirit", which I find to be a foggy concept, but I will hold off on that rant). I could never get so involved in my "work" that I do not take a break. My work is my life. My life's work could not come together if I were to miss out on my own life. I could not think of myself in terms of my career without thinking of my interests and hobbies, because they would be intertwined. At this point, I really cannot see myself outside of academe or the arts. A 9 to 5 job would not get the chance to break my spirit. I could work maybe one shift.
On Money
I cannot see myself making a university professor's salary and going into debt. I read a study that said that though professors made less money than many careers with comparable (and in many cases, even less) educational prerequisites, they were still less likely to go in debt. Money is wasted on status symbols, which are also vastly abused. People need to envision a certain progression as they age in life. They preserve this illusion by blowing more and more of their money as their pay increases on such things as multi-million-dollar homes, expensive cars, designer clothes, watches, etc. (paying for a name), even when they do not have the means. What about charity? As long as you aren't spending more money on charity then you are on yourself (assuming an income no higher than the low six figures).
Maybe there aren't people like me who get joy from being logical and pragmatic. That does not necessarily mean bland. I have many plans for exciting life experiences, let alone the things I have already done and seen. By no means do I short change myself. Anyone who would try to make that argument, I would say, is projecting onto me his or her own doubts. Doubts about the ability to adhere to reason in a good balance to experience. Rather than being the victim of the capricious fancies of change and chance, I see my life as the product of my own manufacture, but nevertheless a path whose turns may at times lead to unpredictable joys and disappointments. I would be naive to claim to have my life figured out, but wise to be confident that I have a solid philosophy as a base to constantly check and continually refine. At least, in that regard, I may defend myself from any unnecessary pain that may distract me from those pains and pleasures which are a product of well-informed and logical decisions only. Mistakes may happen, but they can, to some degree, be phased out.