I found that video on facebook and loved it. It really poses an interesting question-where do we find purpose in life? The answer Stephen Frye comes up with is a simple one-our individual purpose is found in what we love the most, what gives us joy.
MY answer is probably the arts. Films, art, books, and music just transport me to another world, something that only sitting outside during a lovely day or night can also accomplish. Not very many people understand this. if you love these things too much they consider you to be a daydreamer, someone who has no place in the "real" world. I have heard that over and over. I don't get it though. The majority of our "real" life is pretty freaking boring unless you are wealthy and can afford to go to all kinds of new places and have new experiences. so what's wrong with loving the fictional worlds created by others? and why can't one still participate in "real" life along WITH the imaginary one? In addition, as I have discussed here before, I feel that art, books, music, and films shine a light on humanity so well; they open up a terrific philosophical debate about people, their characters and motives.
But what PRACTICAL purpose does speculating about humanity hold? Is it useful at all? Well, you could technically ask the same thing about many other pursuits, even some branches of science such as theoretical physics. None of it can be entirely proven, and it doesn't really impact people's daily lives. History, philosophy, psychology, and sociology are all interests that largely involve thinking rather than tangible ACTION. Is that the REAL issue then that people have with individuals such as me? like people who use that old cliche, "those who can't DO, teach", they believe that only those things outside ourselves matter, that self-reflection is useless; value is found solely in pursuits with other people, FOR other people, and in activities that concern physical survival?
That's what it breaks down to isn't it? They feel something has to be "practical" ,or it must concern something you DID, or something someone you KNOW did, rather than what you THINK about, or something that just makes you happy without any other tangible benefit. I have no doubt they think I am silly talking on and on about movies I love etc. I should be talking about more "real" life subjects like the crap I took this morning I suppose. Movies, books, music, art, etc are just silly "entertainment" as opposed to the vast importance of a blow by blow recap of the few daily activities my limited money allows me to engage in, right? It's not like I can afford to jet off to Europe and then talk about THAT.
Only if I did nothing but sit in my house, refuse to interact with other people and immerse myself in fiction would they have a point in my opinion. Maybe when I finish my book, sell it and make money giving others the mindless "entertainment" they disdain will they take me seriously. In the meantime, HE gets it:
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