I saw some people fishing the other day in 16 degree Fahrenheit (-9 Celsius) weather at 4:30AM. They were not ice fishing with a little hut, but standing at the base of a bridge with no shelter or campfire. People are at that bridge fishing regularly when it is cold but that was the coldest temp I have seen so far. Why is it so appealing to them?
Enduring suffering to cause suffering. Truly an enlightened activity
Life is suffering. Anyone who says otherwise is selling something.
Yeah, that’s why my new strategy is to maximize suffering instead of minimize it
You’re right, but you’re ignoring a crucial part of the equation which is the person who is suffering enjoys it or else they wouldn’t be doing it.
If you’re a masochist that’s fine, don’t make others suffer too though
It’s my belief that everyone is a masochist to a certain degree, and those who don’t realize it are in denial.
I drive a vehicle that burns gasoline and contributes to pollution. I purchase products that come in plastic packaging. I participate in an economy that can only exist by taking advantage of people in other countries where labor is “cheaper.” These are all things that I enjoy doing even though I know they’re inflicting suffering on people.
If I don’t do these things I pretty much won’t be able to function in society. And I certainly wouldn’t be able to contribute anything that I think is valuable.
One option would be to end myself, but that would inflict suffering on all my friends and family.
Another option would be to believe that the good I’m doing will outweigh the suffering I inflict on other people.
I’m interested in your thoughts on this. Do you think it’s possible to live a life where you don’t inflict suffering on anyone else?
No, not in our time anyways. But I think we should recognize that a better world is possible, it doesn’t need to be this way, and we should try to make things as good as possible. There are things I do that I think are bad, and I will likely have a net negative impact on the world, but I think it’s worth giving my best shot towards pushing the world to not be that way, it seems worth the gamble that I end up being net positive or indirectly steer things to a better future, but being in denial and thinking the harmful things I do are ok just doesn’t click. It’s a lot harder to make things better if you delude yourself into thinking the status quo is ok (although that strategy does feel a lot nicer)