Is reality becoming a problem for people?

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Sat Jun 07, 2003 7:45 am

Originally posted by Obike Fixx
In my opinion, the world we live in is boring, to tell the truth.

Hmmm, or is the world only as boring or interesting as we make it?

I have conflicting views on this topic I guess. Yeah, I enjoy RPGs, fantasy, etc. But I do wonder (on my more pensive days

) if our escaping into fantasy worlds means that we put less effort into making the real world less like something we want to escape from. As others have already said, I suppose it's just a matter of moderation - it's not unhealthy unless you start to neglect your real life.

But don't listen to me, I ain't no philosopher.

Galuf the Dwarf · Post by **Galuf the Dwarf** » Sat Jun 07, 2003 11:17 am

A question of interpretation.

Originally posted by Georgi
Hmmm, or is the world only as boring or interesting as we make it?

I have conflicting views on this topic I guess. Yeah, I enjoy RPGs, fantasy, etc. But I do wonder (on my more pensive days ) if our escaping into fantasy worlds means that we put less effort into making the real world less like something we want to escape from. As others have already said, I suppose it's just a matter of moderation - it's not unhealthy unless you start to neglect your real life.

But don't listen to me, I ain't no philosopher.

Putting effort into making the real world more appealing. Do gardening and landscaping (in the case of making personal space/property better) count?

IHateUsernames · Post by **IHateUsernames** » Sat Jun 07, 2003 11:46 am

i also think playing games can be healthy if you dont overdo it (i do a litle too much)(was there anybody that didnt say this) Its like takig a walk. its destressing (unless you have my dog with you) and you can gather your thoughts. Unless of course you are about to kill the end boss. then you dont gather thoughts but afterwards

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Sun Jun 08, 2003 8:24 am

Re: A question of interpretation.

Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
Putting effort into making the real world more appealing. Do gardening and landscaping (in the case of making personal space/property better) count?

Anything that makes you want to spend time in the real world... I don't mean just physically, but also, for example, developing rewarding relationships. Whatever makes you want to participate in real life rather than escape from it. People who complain that the world is boring... well, maybe they need to get out of their armchairs and go find some adventure, you know?

der Moench · Post by **der Moench** » Sun Jun 08, 2003 8:30 am

Re: Re: A question of interpretation.

Originally posted by Georgi
Anything that makes you want to spend time in the real world... I don't mean just physically, but also, for example, developing rewarding relationships. Whatever makes you want to participate in real life rather than escape from it. People who complain that the world is boring... well, maybe they need to get out of their armchairs and go find some adventure, you know?

Hear, hear!

Er ... I gotta go to work now.

Peace.

Galuf the Dwarf · Post by **Galuf the Dwarf** » Sun Jun 08, 2003 8:34 am

Re: Re: A question of interpretation.

Originally posted by Georgi
Anything that makes you want to spend time in the real world... I don't mean just physically, but also, for example, developing rewarding relationships. Whatever makes you want to participate in real life rather than escape from it. People who complain that the world is boring... well, maybe they need to get out of their armchairs and go find some adventure, you know?

Yes, that sounds quite correct. The thing is, not everybody wishes to experience the same adventures. Some want to go to different places.

And speaking of relationships, why do so many, especially in the U.S., seem to fail half of the time? Of course, there are many answers, but is there ANY fun in romance and long-term relationships anymore? It almost seems like divorce and backstabbing are practically acceptable now. What a shame.

I wish the best for Chanak & Scayde as well as Enchantress and Gruntboy. The world can use all the love it can have to keep it from becoming ever the more dismall.

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Sun Jun 08, 2003 8:48 am

Re: Re: Re: A question of interpretation.

Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
Yes, that sounds quite correct. The thing is, not everybody wishes to experience the same adventures. Some want to go to different places.

True, true. All I'm saying is that there's more to life if you want there to be.

And speaking of relationships, why do so many, especially in the U.S., seem to fail half of the time? Of course, there are many answers, but is there ANY fun in romance and long-term relationships anymore? It almost seems like divorce and backstabbing are practically acceptable now. What a shame.

Far be it from me to be a little optimistic, but of course there is.

Even relationships that ultimately don't work long-term (I'm not sure I like the word "fail"... maybe they're just not meant to be everlasting) have their fun times. We just tend to remember the bad things. You have to make an effort to remember the good times... and be able to recognise that people change, and situations change. It doesn't necessarily make your former experiences meaningless, does it?

The world can use all the love it can have to keep it from becoming ever the more dismall.

*Burt Bacharach plays in the background*

Galuf the Dwarf · Post by **Galuf the Dwarf** » Sun Jun 08, 2003 9:48 am

Yeah, I'll still never forget my first girlfriend above most else. For once, I fealt like I had found true potential and humanity. It only lasted for 4 weeks, but we both never wanted it to end. Her parents got aggrivated with the times I'd try to call her (not too many times, but I only reached her once). Still, I'd never felt so warm and close to a woman (let alone a person) ever.

But I'll also never forget when I first went through the Aerie romance in BG2. I fealt like I also had quite a conscience for a woman's feelings. Sure, it wasn't real, but it made me think and feel for once in my life, especially with the ToB part of it. My heart actually felt on fire at one part!

So yeah, relationships aren't always the pits!

Thanks Georgi.

*lightly blushes*

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Sun Jun 08, 2003 10:13 am

Re: A question of interpretation.

Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
Putting effort into making the real world more appealing. Do gardening and landscaping (in the case of making personal space/property better) count?

The nobel to my mother then, frankly

Over two decades she planted rows of trees.. holm-oaks, lime-trees, cedars, horse-chestnuts(sp?), pine-trees, cypresses, a couple of oaks, then countless bunches of roses, lavander and who knows.
I do remember that there was a collection of garbage in this place, but I don't believe it anymore

Authorities should thank her!

Working for a dream... *this* is the real connection between fantasy and reality, I should learn

Don't know if a similar point can be made for love though

Galuf the Dwarf · Post by **Galuf the Dwarf** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 12:57 pm

I was listening to a certain song, and it truly got me thinking of this...

Are we truly able to communicate our problems to ourselves? Many people require rehabilitation and/or counciling to address our personal problems, though sometimes, these do not seem to fully cure a complication, physical, psychological, etc.

Do we know how to handle our bodily chemistry as to control ourselves from becoming altered beyond any form of repair? I see so many I know degrade and/or nearly destroy themselves for reasons unknown. Old friends, enemies, quite a few I grew up with.

Funny, it seems like the story from Baldur's Gate titled "The History of the Fateful Coin". Our lives seem so much like a game a chance, like a coin flipped and called in the air for the fate deserved - benevolent or malevolent, lucky or unlucky. Some seem to be destined to fall one way or another. And then there are those whose coins spin on edge to a point. Don't all of our coins spin until we make our times come?

Life is strange, and I feel I can only keep a stern face as to keep myself in check at times. I enjoy my life when I can, and make try to improve to make things better. So far, I have little to despair over, I would think. What of all of you?

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 1:12 pm

@Ode (yes, I will persist in calling you that): Buddhism is quite fascinating; I looked into it several years ago. There is quite a bit of common sense to be found within, and I still enjoy reading over the often zany and rather entertaining comments of Zen masters as they were interviewed by New-Age types in the 80's. I think they were highly amused by that movement.

@Georgi: I think you hit the nail on the head, so to speak. Life really is what we make of it. One of the most rewarding aspects of reality are the personal relationships we can develop as a consequence of facing Life on a regular basis. Truly, the friends one makes can make all the difference in the world when the circumstances of reality really begin to suck. Like the ocean tide, fortune and good times come and they go...it is reality, after all, where every cloud not only has a silver lining, but also a side where the paint cracks and peels.

@Galuf: Thank you for the kind words, my man.

Galuf the Dwarf · Post by **Galuf the Dwarf** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 8:24 am

Chanak, das hermit/Ode: Interesting. Very interesting.

Yeah, the song that made me think of what I posted last was 'Schism'(sp?) by Tool. Very extraordinary song. Very to the point.

josh · Post by **josh** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 8:38 am

Re: Off-topic, sorry about that.

Originally posted by das_hermit
I've been meditating every now and then (when I have the time for it ) for a while now, about two to three years I think.

Also I've recently converted to Buddhism, though converted isn't really the best term to use since most of the beliefs I'd formed from my own experiences are pretty much the same as those found in what little I know about Buddhism anyway.

What is it that you do while being a Buddhist? I'm a "passive" buddhist where I'll pray for health and good fortune at Chinese New Years etc but thats the extent of my participation in the religion.

Scayde · Post by **Scayde** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 6:05 pm

I create my own reality, and then spend most of my time avoiding it

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 12:22 am

Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
Thanks Georgi.

No worries.

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 4:47 am

Reality only becomes a problem for people...

...if they don't know how to face it and resort to escapism thinking that reality would just go away...

Entertainment in all its various forms is there for us to recharge, make us feel good, then make us better prepared and focused to deal with the stress and problems brought about by reality.

This is, of course aside from the fact that entertainment and other forms of escapism bring out creative thoughts, imagination, ideas, etc.

Mind, there are also things that are considered part of reality that can relieve you of the harsh stuff life can offer: e.g., family, friends, nature or even helping others who find it hard facing reality.

Galuf the Dwarf · Post by **Galuf the Dwarf** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 6:42 am

With another international conflict swiftly setting itself up to cause havoc, I can bet that this only hinder many other people's attitudes.

Also, why does it seem like alot of really intelligent/wise and responsive people really seem unhappy and/or unsocialable quite a bit. It seems like they're down and not feeling good about stuff around them because they understand too much. Why? Is it because there seems to be no room for imagination and fun due to the amount of possibilities left in the dust due to reason?

Rather off topic though, I admit I feel rather out of place because half of the female celebs I like are about twice my age or a bit older than that:

- Sarah Ferguson (the Duchess of York, for those who are wondering)
- Sarah Multon (head chef of Gourmet Magazine, host of Sarah's Secrets on Food Network)
- Nigella Lawson (host of the cooking show and writer of the cookbook "Nigella Bites", the show on Style network)

Otherwise, the ones I kind of have a crush over are Avril Lavigne and Michelle Branch. However, I bet what the answer is already.

Finally, there is the feeling deep inside that some monstrous power is waiting to be unless. Some strength that I barely feel except in the most dire moments. It feels like a twinge of energy that drives me to extremes when I must use all my potential to get somewhere. It could also be the creative edge that I felt years ago, that has until now almost disappeared for reasons not totally understood. When it happens, I feel so strange, like a Bhaalspawn realizing their legacy. Wierd.

Antimatter · Post by **Antimatter** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 1:31 am

It seems the more you analyze things the worse they seem. I consider myself intelligent, and I am most certainly unhappy and unsocialble lol. For me personally, a lot of both of those feelings stem from the fact that the people around just don't seem to realize the things I do. They're more concerned with an out of place hair then with the thousands dieing in Iraq. They didn't even have an opinion about it. I can't bring myself to ignore things like that and it almost frustrates me that other people could. And religion is the same way for me. I just don't believe in it and I can't force myself to really believe in it. I've tried, but no matter how closely I follow the rules, I can't really believe. And therefore, I have nothing to turn to in reality.

And so games are definately an escape from reality. I spend more time on a computer than out socializing. I know it's sad, but I just don't like many people. That's just how I am. In games, even if you're online with other people, it's just text scrolling by. If I don't like someone I ignore them. If it's single player you don't even have to worry about that. And it's definately an escape from reality. No people to worry about, no situations or stress, nothing that I don't want. If there is something, I leave the game, or I can reload to fix it.

Note: slightly off topic from here, but related to depression anyways

I also seem to have random bouts of depression that last for 15 minutes or so. These started fairly recently that I've noticed, but it's only recently that I've really been happy at all. But I was sitting on the beach today when all of the sudden I felt like killing myself. On a beautiful Caribbean beach of all places. I mean literally one of the most beautiful places in the world (I've been told) with crystal clear water and fine white sand (Grand Cayman if you've been here). I don't know about those. If they're chemical or something I don't want drugs. I can't live with myself if I have to mask my feelings from myself. It doesn't seem right.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Wed Jun 18, 2003 6:52 pm

I basically agree with everything Georgi has posted. People of course have different living conditions and opportunities, but if you are fairly healthy and not starving, you have all the possibilities in the world to have a great impact on how funny your reality is going to be. Concern about the bad state of the world does not make the world any better unless one acts upon that concern - it's easy to become cynical and pessimistic, but it is also crucial not to because then one deprives oneself of everything one can do to influence things in a better direction.

Originally posted by Georgi
People who complain that the world is boring... well, maybe they need to get out of their armchairs and go find some adventure, you know?

Personally, I fail to see how anybody could find the often stereotype and predictable fantasy or computer game worlds less boring than the unpredictable reality? Also, I do think things that are only in my head and nowhere else, are of considerably less value that things that I can transmit to reality, express, communicate - live.

posted by Galuf
Also, why does it seem like alot of really intelligent/wise and responsive people really seem unhappy and/or unsocialable quite a bit. It seems like they're down and not feeling good about stuff around them because they understand too much. Why? Is it because there seems to be no room for imagination and fun due to the amount of possibilities left in the dust due to reason?

No, intelligent and responsible people are not more unhappy or less sociable - on the contrary, studies show that intelligence and sense of responsibility are actually protective factors against depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome. However, this does of course not mean that smart and responsible persons are protected from depression, but it should be noted that many, especially younger people who feel down and asocial believe they are more intelligent/special/different than they actually are, since they use this as an explanation for why they down, alienated, perhaps misunderstood by others etc.

Antimatter · Post by **Antimatter** » Wed Jun 18, 2003 10:37 pm

Originally posted by C Elegans
No, intelligent and responsible people are not more unhappy or less sociable - on the contrary, studies show that intelligence and sense of responsibility are actually protective factors against depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome. However, this does of course not mean that smart and responsible persons are protected from depression, but it should be noted that many, especially younger people who feel down and asocial believe they are more intelligent/special/different than they actually are, since they use this as an explanation for why they down, alienated, perhaps misunderstood by others etc.

Well I never really felt like I was just putting myself up higher than anyone else with no reason. It seems to me that this feeling is confirmed every time I talk to people. But then again as people stated it's not really intelligence because that is difficult to measure. I think just about anyone can think as well as just about anyone else. It is the application that matters though, and I think I see people applying their intelligence to the wrong places.