Shall I kill my wife today? Or shall I take her to the theatre? (1226 hits)
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Submitted by Merlina (View user info) at 2008-10-24 03:37:05 EDT
What do people need from other people? Is it odd to want to leap off the scale of normality?
I'm currently reading a book called The Dice Man by Luke Reinhardt - it's about a psychologist who decides to live his life literally by the toss of a dice and the answers therein.
Shall I kill my wife today? Or shall I take her to the theatre?
Only being half way through I have no idea of how this can end but it has set me thinking.
Why do we follow rules? Join queues? Buy houses and have dinner parties? Is it because it's a tried and trusted way of life? I think The Dice Man found that when he played by his own rules of crawling to work, sleeping under the bed etc. he just was met with confusion, derision and then finally a decision that he had a bed with his name on it at the local mental institution.
But was he mad? What IS mad?
The Bloke and I were conversing over breakfast this morning about the fact that should he decide to come home from work and suggest that we sold the house, packed a toothbrush, sold all our belongings and flew to an unknown (to us) destination without telling anyone..... would I happily agree?
Would I be surprised? Sad to lose personal items? Friends...family..
My answer to him was immediately "that would be cool". Having had time to think about it the answer remains the same.
Upon leaving a workplace the done thing (in London at least) is to say goodbye to your colleagues on your last day, swap phone numbers and promise to stay in touch. Personally I don't bother with the niceties as I know I probably won't remember their names in about a week so don't bother. But people still play through this ritual.
The done thing maybe?
Does that make me sound hard...mean? Or sensible? Are we allowed to make these decisions without people judging and thinking "oh that's a bit harsh"... Or is there someone at the back of the crowd thinking "good for them - I wish I had the guts to be honest like that".
Pushing the boundaries is part of who we are but do we only take small steps? Seeing how far you can push a parent... or lover.... What about really pushing the boundaries with people?
How far would you go?
User Reviews
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2008-12-03 15:07:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by The_Raper (user info) at 2008-12-03 14:45:06 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Dead fag dad -2.
Your dad was a fag btw
~~~~
I'm not here right now so cry me a river, build yourself a bridge, and get over it...
Submitted by The_Raper (user info) at 2008-12-03 14:45:06 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Dead fag dad -2.
Your dad was a fag btw
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2008-11-29 16:18:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by SPECIALk (user info) at 2008-10-27 17:54:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
sounds like a cool book...good to see you around :)
Submitted by PayMeLater (user info) at 2008-10-26 22:33:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by icarus1987 (user info) at 2008-10-25 23:09:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Society has rules because it evolved that way. Given rules, humans can work cooperatively. There can be doctors, courts of law, systems of education. Is there a reason we drive on the right rather than the left side in the US? Is there a reason my office is open from 7:30-4? No, it's arbitrary. But if people could drive on whatever side they wanted, no one would get anywhere, and if anyone could come in whenever they wanted, no work would get done. Complete freedom is complete chaos.
Submitted by Maddog (user info) at 2008-10-25 09:43:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nicely done. Certainly made me examine my own life.
Submitted by JoeyG (user info) at 2008-10-25 08:49:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
That book is awesome.
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2008-10-24 17:31:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Why not both?
First one, then the other.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2008-10-24 15:55:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by shitfuck (user info) at 2008-10-24 13:56:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
What the hell is this jerk off circle for?
~~
Its for you baby.....just for you.
Submitted by Falafel (user info) at 2008-10-24 15:09:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Because the picture is horrifying.
Submitted by shitfuck (user info) at 2008-10-24 13:56:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
What the hell is this jerk off circle for?
Submitted by FALLEN (user info) at 2008-10-24 12:53:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Hi Merlina.
Submitted by FALLEN (user info) at 2008-10-24 12:52:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The Dice Man?
**no**
**stop, serious writers forum**
**cant..help***
"Little boy blue, He needed the money!"
OHHH!!!!!
Submitted by weather (user info) at 2008-10-24 12:14:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
You talk to much.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2008-10-24 11:56:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by forensicgirl3 (user info) at 2008-10-24 07:35:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Unlike the rest of the animals, humans are self-aware.
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we don't know that.
Submitted by BranDo (user info) at 2008-10-24 11:22:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm more the type to pull the boundaries. Close.
So I can stare at freedom.
Don't know who wrote 'regret is an emotion' but it's not, an emotional activity at best.
Great post for a weary day.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2008-10-24 11:19:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Ejryuu (user info) at 2008-10-24 11:17:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Why am I sitting in this office on a gloomy Friday when I'd rather be doing other things?
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because you want the money to fund those other things and that's the easiest way to get it.
Submitted by orphelia (user info) at 2008-10-24 11:18:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Sounds like a good book, by the way.
:)
Submitted by orphelia (user info) at 2008-10-24 11:17:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I constantly question why I seem 'programmed' to do certain things - have kids, holiday twice a year, strive for a better house, socialise with the same people in the same places, even think that quiz night on sundays with the old man is 'fun'.
I believe it is my parents fault.
I am a product of their nurture.
Maybe if I had different folks I'd run away with a band of gypsies or join a travelling fair.
But I am not, I am staid and 'normal' and conditioned to thinking friday and saturday nights are for drinking, sundays are for roasts and Eastenders omnibus and mondays are for hating.
Submitted by Ejryuu (user info) at 2008-10-24 11:17:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I bet a lot of people live their life on the edge of that dice-rolling cliff. Where just one little thing could push us over the edge and convine us to say fuck the herd mentality.
Why am I sitting in this office on a gloomy Friday when I'd rather be doing other things?
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2008-10-24 11:11:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
people do need human connection, but you don't need it with every person in your life. i think it's better to have a few close connections than a lot of superficial ones. like my coworkers, i don't connect to them on any level beyond work. when i leave, the only person i will probably continue to talk to is my boss because she's pretty much family. i MAY speak to one person in the england office only because i'll be closer to them. but everyone else here i could give a mouse fart about really.
it's funny to me that you take names and stuff. anyone i stay in contact with is someone i've always stayed in contact with. i've moved a lot and i've never taken contact information for people i had no intention of ever talking to again and i've rarely stopped talking to someone i had intent to keep talking to. i never promise to stay in touch unless i mean to. i have told people to fuck off completely after seeing them again later in life and really having meant to never see them again.
i think most people do things out of not knowing what else to do. lots of people don't evolve mentally into their own personal life, they do what they're told and what they're expected. some people have no expectations placed upon them at all, by anyone, and end up wandering around not knowing what to do and try to fit in. others take that as a chance to disconnect from people and others still take that as a chance to make their life what they want. you will keep the people you want, you'll get rid of the people you don't. if people lose touch it's because at least one person wanted to for some reason or another.
as far as doing something without being judged that's impossible to avoid. someone else's judgment of you is external and can't be helped. that judgment may or may not affect you. i think empathy should factor into it though. pushing boundaries just to see how far you can go isn't the best thing. in some cases it's great for learning, in others it does unnecessary and unwanted damage to yourself or others.
i know i do things because i want something that i think a certain action will help me attain. and for the larger decisions in my life "because it seemed like a good idea at the time" is what it boils down to. probably not the best way to wheel your way through life but then again i've always been told to have my own life with no real external expectations other than table manners. which of course i purposely forget to use.
ps, i'm glad you're writing again :D
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2008-10-24 10:41:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"The pendulum thing." What an idiot. I have two brain cells left, and one is eating the other one.
Mmmmmm. Breasts. I miss those.
Submitted by F.J.Bell (user info) at 2008-10-24 10:40:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I went to the barbers today and there's no denying - I'm getting grey hairs :o(
Submitted by forensicgirl3 (user info) at 2008-10-24 10:39:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2008-10-24 09:35:32 CDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I bought a new laser pointer.
=====
COOL!!!
Now listen, tempting though it might be, DON'T point it at breasts.
Or at least, don't get caught doing it.
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2008-10-24 10:35:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I bought a new laser pointer.
Submitted by stucker (user info) at 2008-10-24 10:27:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
How many flighty, nonsensical questions can be packed into one Ubersite post?
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2008-10-24 10:25:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This: http://books.google.com/books?id=Gs5PRR9-8BcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:Michel+inauthor:Foucault
Obviously, I once again have no idea what I'm talking about. And in 3 1/2 hours I going to be presenting a paper to a large audience. Scary. It should be fine, though, as I got 1 1/2 hours of sleep.
I'm done.
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2008-10-24 10:22:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This one: http://books.google.com/books?id=7z0nXi4R8m4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:Michel+inauthor:Foucault
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2008-10-24 10:18:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Foucault. The pendulum thing. Ha. I have some brain cells left.
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2008-10-24 10:16:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice to see your 'round, lady. Regarding the "what is madness" question, I direct you to that book...shit...can't remember the name of it...written by...shit...some French dude, I think.
Hmmm. I might have to get back with you on this one at a later date.
Submitted by Yozz (user info) at 2008-10-24 09:39:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Thanks for the reminder.
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2008-10-24 09:36:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by monkeyswithguns (user info) at 2008-10-24 08:08:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I've pushed the boundaries with family and friends before, but they keep coming back. It's strange that you should mention just picking up and moving and not telling anyone, as for the past week I've spent the majority of my time fantasizing about packing up, and selling the house, and moving to Argentina.
I think I'd rather stay in touch with friends and family though.
Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2008-10-24 08:03:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
you are a dirty girl
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2008-10-24 07:59:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2008-10-24 07:11:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I wish I woulda visited you in London in April :(
~~~~
You should have!! Next time, do. :)
Submitted by forensicgirl3 (user info) at 2008-10-24 07:35:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Oh those whacky psychologists. Why do so many go mad?
Heh!
After spending a large percentage of my life studying the human animal, I've noticed a few things.
The majority of people are quite content with the herd mentality. This is an evolutionary trait. Chances of survival were greater if one lived and supported the herd rather than living alone.
Humans, like anything else, tend to take the path of least resistance. Saves energy you see. Both mental and physical.
Since humans are social animals, group dynamics holds mighty sway over their behavior.
One thing you notice about people, is that they're really not that different from the other animals.
But here is where it gets interesting with people. Unlike the rest of the animals, humans are self-aware. We've evolved a big enough brain to develop consciousness, but our limbic system and hindbrain still have us by the balls, so to speak. This fucks a lot of stuff up. Believe me!
And yes, for various reasons, some humans find other humans to be intollerable or at the very least annoying and hold disdain for group dynamics and socially acceptable behavior. Why? Good question.
But these kinds of discussions lead to beastly things such as exhaustively researched dissertations and huge tomes. Not fitting for Uber.
Yay! I've given a typical psych answer. I can speak a lot and say nothing at all. I'm going to give myself a gold star for today.
Submitted by CarterPFly (user info) at 2008-10-24 07:23:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Seems to depend on if you believe in an afterlife that has rules of admission.
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2008-10-24 07:11:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I wish I woulda visited you in London in April :(
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2008-10-24 07:08:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
good points either way
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2008-10-24 07:07:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I will go with the blathering then, its what I am most comfortable with anyways.
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2008-10-24 06:26:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2008-10-24 04:32:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
perfect Berty. Just perfect.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2008-10-24 04:31:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2008-10-24 04:17:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
could you put the point of this in a nutshell for me plz?
~~~~~
No point really... just an opening of suggestion for people to think about (if they wish)
Or my blathering maybe.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2008-10-24 04:21:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I love that book.
Luke teaches us that the self and the past and the future don't have to be a cage. That life is about experience, both the highs and the lows.
He also teaches us that man is capable of anything and everything, of feeling anything and everything. Hatred, love, religious ecstacy, slothfulness, depression, anxiety fuelled ferverecnce, all are possible.
I have a friend who told me once "regret is a stupid emotion. I mean, you did what you did because at the time that was what you wanted to do. Even if that choice was to piss your life up against a wall, it was what you wanted, what you thought was best."
He's right too. If you go to the shops to buy food and a bird craps on you, you shouldn't curse yourself for ever leaving the house.
What I took away from all this, and what I tell people, is that everybody knows what they want to do, what will make them happy. So just do that/do somethng okay to support that. If you want to dig a hole in the ground and hide there then do that untill you want to do something different. If you want to take over the world, then do it. If you want to be a gardener for a living, do that. If you don't want to do anything, just live a simple life with no worries. Living is not hard.
Submitted by Gator (user info) at 2008-10-24 04:18:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for deep thought, my morning is fucked now...
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2008-10-24 04:17:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I mean I understand what you are saying but I don't know what you are driving at
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2008-10-24 04:17:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
could you put the point of this in a nutshell for me plz?
Submitted by F.J.Bell (user info) at 2008-10-24 04:03:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
If you're in a relationship, you have to be flexible. People's goals and ambitions change so if you want to be with someone you have to remember that after a few years they're not necessarily the same person you originally fell in love with; and vice versa.
Submitted by experima (user info) at 2008-10-24 04:01:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
hi merlina!
Submitted by beeltea (user info) at 2008-10-24 03:51:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You had best take her to the theatre!