Life, interrupted
I have a neverending fascination with the ability of human beings to suffer immense pain and suffering and yet live on. How does a powerful experience like that affect the mind?
It seems to me that in our society we perceive life to be a sequence of events one goes through, continually improving along the way. Isn't that the pervasive myth? You go to school, you get a job, you marry, you raise a family, you retire and then die. Along the way you'll be involved in a myrriad of activities, but this is the basic blueprint of an "ideal" life. What happens when there is a terrible disconnect between the myth and reality. How do people cope when they encounter such a "glitch in the system"?
The ultimate disturber of the myth is death. Right after it would be separation, whether from a partner, job, child or else. Major events like that alter the course of "the path" that we've built up in our head.
Picking up the pieces and forming a new vision can be quite a formidable task. Debunking the myth would be the first step towards helping people cope with radical change. And let's face it -most of us will encounter one form or another of a radical change in our lives. Major change is a bit like death in this regard - it's a natural part of life and it's normal to want to avoid it, but ultimately it always comes a knockin'.
All sorts of steps are taken in order to materialize and preserve the aforementioned myth and prevent change. Most obvious would be the seemingly endless insurance policies and government protection we receive these days. Don't get me wrong - security is a good thing. It's one of the big reasons America thrives. However there is a line that one crosses at some point where it becomes ridiculous. The guarantees provided these days border on the ridiculous. The laws and government will even protect you from yourself. If you're wondering what the hell I'm talking about just think about terrorism and disaster aid, gun and fast-food liabilities, drug laws, mandatory helmet laws, etc. Again, these things can be good, if they're applied within reason.
I think its time for people to take responsibility for their own lives. The government will protect you to a reasonable degree, but after that you're on your own. Anything and everything that involves personal health and safety is recommended, not mandated.
In the end, be ready because change happens!
It seems to me that in our society we perceive life to be a sequence of events one goes through, continually improving along the way. Isn't that the pervasive myth? You go to school, you get a job, you marry, you raise a family, you retire and then die. Along the way you'll be involved in a myrriad of activities, but this is the basic blueprint of an "ideal" life. What happens when there is a terrible disconnect between the myth and reality. How do people cope when they encounter such a "glitch in the system"?
The ultimate disturber of the myth is death. Right after it would be separation, whether from a partner, job, child or else. Major events like that alter the course of "the path" that we've built up in our head.
Picking up the pieces and forming a new vision can be quite a formidable task. Debunking the myth would be the first step towards helping people cope with radical change. And let's face it -most of us will encounter one form or another of a radical change in our lives. Major change is a bit like death in this regard - it's a natural part of life and it's normal to want to avoid it, but ultimately it always comes a knockin'.
All sorts of steps are taken in order to materialize and preserve the aforementioned myth and prevent change. Most obvious would be the seemingly endless insurance policies and government protection we receive these days. Don't get me wrong - security is a good thing. It's one of the big reasons America thrives. However there is a line that one crosses at some point where it becomes ridiculous. The guarantees provided these days border on the ridiculous. The laws and government will even protect you from yourself. If you're wondering what the hell I'm talking about just think about terrorism and disaster aid, gun and fast-food liabilities, drug laws, mandatory helmet laws, etc. Again, these things can be good, if they're applied within reason.
I think its time for people to take responsibility for their own lives. The government will protect you to a reasonable degree, but after that you're on your own. Anything and everything that involves personal health and safety is recommended, not mandated.
In the end, be ready because change happens!
posted by z @ 3:17 PM
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