"...making themselves more comfortable."? (the motivation you quoted for pursuing said money, technology, etc.)


It's an assumption, but a sound one; and further I think its application extends beyond those particular pursuits. Lets say that everyone who pursues any of these things is pursuing comfort. Why? Because there is a perceived need, a need we think will be satiated by the attainment of something (perceived being the operative word, considering maslows hierarchy, and the different stds of living throughout the world, need is defined by individual perception).

I would then ask you to consider some of the (admittedly) "more noble" (my quotes) pursuits that you mentioned such as introspection, and contemplation of reality (I might also include service to our world and lives w/which it is shared). Each of these, and any other behavior we engage in could have motivations rooted in pursuit of comfort (or pleasure for oneself).

Ok, you might say, what about when a mother sacrifices for her child, or a "random act of kindness" for a complete stranger, or even the deliberate sacrifice of one's life for a greater cause? Surely these are not in the pursuit of comfort? As long as we keep our operational def of comfort consistent, the motivation is still the same, although the mechanisms may be less obvious. It satisfies the mothers need to satisfy the childs need, it satisfies some level of desire of the conscience for the altruist, and even the ultimate sacrifice of self(!) creates comfort, by allowing the individual to satisfy his desire to serve whatever higher cause the individual NEEDED to die for, a percieved need. With that opportunity denied, the would be hero denies fulfillment, and ultimately his own comfort.

Granted the last two examples are stretches, but if you can accept that needs/comfort for the individual are flexible and relative concepts, maybe us comfort seekers have more in common with even the most actualized of you!

(I know I can admit that, for example, I have burned nugs just as often for comfort as for more intellectual pursuits! Maybe others around here can relate...)

(I do ulmitately agree w/your critique of the increasingly material direction of our values, I just hate to judge the why of it!)
2600 Reviewed by 2600 on . Fucking preoccupation Why is practically everybody on this planet preoccupied with technology, money, and making themselves more comfortable? That's why people spend all day, every day, slaving away at work, preoccupying themselves with meaningless tasks, earning money, taking out a mortgage, blag blah blah. Can't we all just fucking drop this shit, forget about money and all that shit, and try and figure out things that matter? Why are we here? How did we get here? We did we come from? Is there more to our reality Rating: 5