Who knew? I'm back. [shrugs+smurk]

[wexlerama]

Our idea of happiness, in this Western Culture, or at least the USA (I don't want to speak for France, Australia, Britain, etc.) is usually that of an incomplete or fleeting sense of happiness. Few people reach the level of true happiness. We can be happy when we laugh, or when with old friends, or if under the influence of intoxicants, but to be

Comments

[wetwilli106]

i think our only shot for equilibrium with nature was back in the days of cavemen and such, or possibly in pre-colonized america with all the native americans running around not wasting any part of the buffalo, etc.

on the upside, I think the planet is too resilient to be destroyed by us...sooner or later, we'll nuke ourselves, cockroaches and some other small things will survive, nuclear fallout will eventually degrade into harmless things and the planet will recover.

as for tolerance, it seems like it's too deeply rooted in various cultures to look down on other cultures. I could go on a huge rant here, but that's just asking for trouble. on the upside, I've had little to no intolerant type influence in my upbringing, and i'm optimistic that a large portion of people around my age had the same deal. eventually tolerant people could outnumber the intolerant (ie, old jackasses will die leaving us to be nice to each other).
(my 2 cents)

[wexlerama]

I, too, feel that the planet is too resilient to be ruined to the point that nothing can exist. Of course life will probably continue to exist on our planet, whether it be near sub-oceanic volcanic vents or in other areas not even fathomably inhabitable to humans, but how long, nuclear weapons aside, do we have? An eternity, or much less?

[wetwilli106]

i say 100-200 years before a lack of oil causes everyone to fight over the middle east again because they won't dump money into alternative energy

[gatefold525]

Caleb rocks! I read this whole thing.

[self_invention]

I'm glad to see you back in the world of lj. I always used to enjoy your posts very much.

I hate to be this cliche but...

[lindsay2282]

The Four Noble Truths:
1. Life is suffering;
2. Suffering is due to attachment;
3. Attachment can be overcome;
4. There is a path for accomplishing this.
(Buddha)

It's taken me seven years of Catholic brainwashing, two years of borderline depression, and six months of living in New Jersey for this to make perfect sense.

When I actually get the courage to walk away from all the crap that makes me perpetually nervous and unhappy and start a commune, you're officially invited, if you like. Cosmos too.

This isn't very deep, but..

[starstrom]

You totally dictionary.com'ed the word "schpiel."