Icarus' Pointless Flight
The world of fiction often begins with characters in a content state. A problem is introduced that disrupts this happiness and the rest of the plot is consumed with resolving this conflict. In the end, the problem is usually resolved and people are once again content, often ever-after. I’m not sure how the characters that Reese Witherspoon or Taye Diggs play can be so continually content and how resolution of problems can make them even more content. It all seems rather unbelievable. It is the equivalent of being perfectly content ordering something at a restaurant only to have a mess up in the kitchen bring you something you like even better (but for some reason didn’t order). It is all unlikely and goes against neo-classical economics, but fiction continues with this myth. Not only is there supposition that there is contentment, but there is supposition that there is super-contentment.
In the real world, humans always have desires for more. Infinite human wants make people unsatisfied. There is acculturation to pleasure or pain and people find themselves back at square one. Humans still look to the future to the day of eternal satisfaction. So, it isn’t surprising that humans invent ideas like “the rapture” or “the reckoning.” These are anticipated pay days when people will finally (and impossibly) be content forever.
Though Eastern religion and depressed people have often spoken about life being misery, for some reason most people still look to a day when it is not. This may come in the form of wealth or true love. It may come in the form of a blissful afterlife like Heaven or Nirvana. Everyone has “hope,” even suicidal people who think death will improve their situation.
But, what if there is no settlement? What if there is no content ending? What if life continues on without contentment and then leads to an afterlife that is also filled with desires and wanting as well. Even if we leave afterlife aside, this is the almost certainly the case for life. We will always be unsatisfied. If this is the case, why strive for anything? For momentary contentment?
Then again, what else would people do with their time?
In the real world, humans always have desires for more. Infinite human wants make people unsatisfied. There is acculturation to pleasure or pain and people find themselves back at square one. Humans still look to the future to the day of eternal satisfaction. So, it isn’t surprising that humans invent ideas like “the rapture” or “the reckoning.” These are anticipated pay days when people will finally (and impossibly) be content forever.
Though Eastern religion and depressed people have often spoken about life being misery, for some reason most people still look to a day when it is not. This may come in the form of wealth or true love. It may come in the form of a blissful afterlife like Heaven or Nirvana. Everyone has “hope,” even suicidal people who think death will improve their situation.
But, what if there is no settlement? What if there is no content ending? What if life continues on without contentment and then leads to an afterlife that is also filled with desires and wanting as well. Even if we leave afterlife aside, this is the almost certainly the case for life. We will always be unsatisfied. If this is the case, why strive for anything? For momentary contentment?
Then again, what else would people do with their time?
posted by American Dilettante at
11:34 AM
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