Quote:
Originally Posted by Plato  You think we spend too much time socialising? That's an unusual criticism. And what's wrong with being light hearted? And why are you bringing politics into the discussion? |
why is it unusual? I think we spend too much time and expend too much creative energy socializing in empty ways. And it's fine to enjoy it but I believe there are other things that need our attention/creative energy more. This can't be that hard to understand. Of course productive socializing is somewhat different, but I question how much of that is going on.
I never said there was anything "wrong" with being light hearted, I simply think many people in our modern culture want to be light hearted all the time, or too much of the time. I believe we need balance, and some things in life need to be taken seriously, at some point. Of course it sometimes is helpful to take a step back to view the comic absurdity of it all, but at it's core I believe that life is a very serious matter and to ignore this is to do so at your/our peril. The saying goes, "life is a comedy for those who think, a tragedy for those who feel". Or another variant, "from afar life is a comedy, up close a tragedy". I think most people would prefer to view our existence from a distant galaxy far far away, at least emotionally as physically would be impossible. Why do you think irony is so popular?
and what is wrong with bringing politics into it? Do you think the issues being discussed on this topic are divorced from politics? I don't, personally. Even the smallest social groups are political in some way. You're "fat boy" analogy actually illustrates this. You may claim the friendly banter that brings upon a nickname exists in a "feel good buddy buddy" kind of vacuum. And maybe sometimes it does. But that's the comedic, thinking version of things. From another perspective, perhaps "fat boy" isn't so secure in his weight, but has learned to parlay it into an advantage by being "light hearted" about it and thus getting into a social group. Others may appreciate having him around cause it makes them feel better about the fact that they are not overweight. None of this stuff can be explicitly stated (the politics) but it can be understood and implied beneath the surface in a way that everybody understands, and sees as a fair trade off. Certainly all can laugh and have a good time to an extent, but it comes at the expense of a little bit of "fat boy's" soul. Such is the political nature of human interaction, where there is always going to be some kind of "pecking order". Which of course isn't to say genuine friendship cannot develop in the minefield, but it's hardly in a direct efficient manner and the potential for lasting emotional scars seems pointlessly high. Translate this to the mating game and amplify the effects by 100.