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Post by GeekGoddess on Dec 13, 2016 14:59:10 GMT -5
I have really enjoyed my english class this semester. The teacher is a really creative, eloquent lady. I kind of assume she is "a cat lady" and single but I don't know that for a fact. She comes out with great quotes all the time in class - usually attributed to authors or literary critics. I sent in my final projects today and she replied. In the end of her note, she was thanking me for my participation in class and that my input had raised us all up, etc - nice things to hear. But here is a statement she included that reminded me, not of my class but, of THIS group here:
If, finally, life is an existentially solitary affair on most important issues, there is also the collective, collaborative, cumulative aspect to which we, each and all, are responsible and must be committed.
If only our refusers knew this.
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Post by bballgirl on Dec 13, 2016 15:08:01 GMT -5
Great quote but by nature most refusers are selfish and are not capable of caring about the feelings or needs of the one they are supposed to love most.
So now maybe one day I will meet someone I can collectively collaborate with and by that I'm not talking about sex.
Sex is actually the easy part in opposite land, connection that's not easy to find but like I said if I have to choose I'll take passion over love at this stage in my life. Again great quote!
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Post by greatcoastal on Dec 13, 2016 15:20:55 GMT -5
Did you respond with an eloquent, creative, lady like manner? "hell yea, you got that right, sho nuff!" (doubt it)
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Post by wewbwb on Dec 13, 2016 16:05:45 GMT -5
Please let me start by saying that I fully realize that I am "playing Devil's Advocate" here.
If I am reading this correctly, the quote is stating that MOST collective, collaborative, aspects of life are, in fact NOT important.
So.....
I'm confused.
Which isn't actually difficult to do.
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Post by GeekGoddess on Dec 13, 2016 16:18:31 GMT -5
Please let me start by saying that I fully realize that I am "playing Devil's Advocate" here. If I am reading this correctly, the quote is stating that MOST collective, collaborative, aspects of life are, in fact NOT important. So..... I'm confused. Which isn't actually difficult to do. I think it means we are born alone and we die all by ourselves - that is, the existential SOUL (or whatever) is us and us alone. That is the only important issue that is truly solitary - the me that is "I" - my words, not hers. But that "thought life" - the thing is solely us. That's the way that I took it. I am the person who works my job or learns my classes or falls asleep at night - I won't face a pearly gate WITH someone else - just me. But that the communal - we are each, all, also responsible because the "shared life" (a.k.a., reality, this shared world) - we are each responsible to it and for it. Sounds way less eloquent when I say it this long way though. :-) |
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Post by wewbwb on Dec 13, 2016 16:33:18 GMT -5
Okay - I can see that.
I can see how there are "shared" aspects to our lives. I am in agreement with that.
However, the quote starts off saying "MOST important issues..."
Again in my humble, marginally educated, more comfortable around cars type of way, I take it to mean more than simply birth and death.
Upon reading it I took it to mean that "Collective Aspects" are secondary, i.e. LESS important.
I will apologize if I am seeming argumentative, I am trying to understand if I actually agree with it or not.
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Post by GeekGoddess on Dec 13, 2016 16:36:48 GMT -5
Okay - I can see that. I can see how there are "shared" aspects to our lives. I am in agreement with that. However, the quote starts off saying "MOST important issues..." Again in my humble, marginally educated, more comfortable around cars type of way, I take it to mean more than simply birth and death. Upon reading it I took it to mean that "Collective Aspects" are secondary, i.e. LESS important. I will apologize if I am seeming argumentative, I am trying to understand if I actually agree with it or not. Actually it starts off with "IF" - -- so go ahead and chew on that one. It's a "maybe" but acknowledges that the premise itself is debatable. Yes? |
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Post by wewbwb on Dec 13, 2016 16:40:51 GMT -5
This is true.
Therefore, I do not agree.
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Post by wewbwb on Dec 13, 2016 16:47:58 GMT -5
I believe MOST aspects ARE collective and collaborative. Especially the "most important" ones.
Only "death" is solitary.
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Post by GeekGoddess on Dec 13, 2016 17:50:36 GMT -5
I believe MOST aspects ARE collective and collaborative. Especially the "most important" ones. Only "death" is solitary. I don't, but that's okay. The main aspect I believe is (or should be) collaborative is a primary relationship. This was not my experience in a relationship though. So - I just claim "mind-fucked" in my own defense. |
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Post by nancyb on Dec 13, 2016 22:00:35 GMT -5
We may have loving partners, terrific family and friends, a fulfilled life but in the dark of the night, when you face the void, one has to confront, and make peace with the fact that we are ultimately alone.
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Post by wewbwb on Dec 13, 2016 22:44:33 GMT -5
We may have loving partners, terrific family and friends, a fulfilled life but in the dark of the night, when you face the void, one has to confront, and make peace with the fact that we are ultimately alone. I disagree. But this may simply be a matter of "perspective". I believe that I am familiar with the void. Everyone I know, everyone I've met has taught me something. Some on purpose, most by examples. They have shown me what to do and what not. I have seen people I thought "weak" rise and face challenges. Therefore, I can also. I have seen good people make bad mistakes. Therefore, I learned to forgive myself. I alone am responsible for my actions and deeds. That doesn't happen in a vacuum however. Who taught me? How did I acquire the tools and outlook needed for success? Where did I find my strength? How did I learn to balance morals and happiness?
I agree that many challenges we face alone, but we didn't get there alone. We didn't get the tools to win the "stare down" with the void alone.
Even the lessons learned by betrayal that two people.
So while I may "face" the void alone, I bring with me legion. All those I've meet. All who have taught me.
All those who have loved me.
I do not quit and will not fail, after all someone may be watching me.
Learning.
That is my perspective.
I am not alone. |
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Post by lwoetin on Dec 13, 2016 23:05:49 GMT -5
We may have loving partners, terrific family and friends, a fulfilled life but in the dark of the night, when you face the void, one has to confront, and make peace with the fact that we are ultimately alone. in the dark of the night we should be asleep. I wouldn't live life as a solitary pursuit. I've lived alone for too many years previously. I'm OK with needing help and not self-sufficient. |
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Post by obobfla on Dec 13, 2016 23:51:33 GMT -5
Here is my take on the quote:
Yes, life is mostly a solitary pursuit. I really only have control over my life, even though what I do affects those around me. And those around me can try to steer or manipulate me, but it is my life. I make the choices, and I am the one responsible for those choices.
While we talk sex here, which is a wonderful collaborative activity, there is also art. I am a writer who often works alone. But my best work seems to come when I collaborate with another person. The work we create is much better than what I can come up with alone. Collaborating is difficult. It takes practice, a lot of patience, and a good dose of humility. I think of my favorite music groups who fight among themselves yet sing together in harmony and jam together, or team members who always find each other open for a pass.
I also need to think about who is going to read what I write. Will that person understand my words? Will the reader react the way I want them to react? Again, I have no control over that. But if I connect with that person, it is absolutely beautiful!
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