An exercise in futility

[scapegoat]

Existence is Futile.

I remember the first time i misspoke the iconic quote yet this new phrase feels so right to me, existence truly is an exercise in futility. Life has no meaning, none that we as the most advanced species on this planet can prove anyway, and yet we all continue to lumber on.

There is no greater purpose and life is truly only what you make of it. But life, living, goes on for so long. The time you spend on earth is both vast ans minuscule, what do we do with it?
With no higher power or predestined purpose there's so much choice, its overwhelming. Looking out at the sea of options presented to you and knowing you can do well, yet finding no pleasure in any of them is probably one of the most saddening things i can think of.

Just as bad is looking out at that same sea of options an being paralyzed by fear, by the fear of failure. Though i'm still fairly young i'm fairly certain life is 90% failure, and as someone who doesn't take losses very well it makes existence painful.

futile
ˈfjuːtʌɪl/
adjective

1. incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.

Is anything we do, individually or as a species, useful? What does useful even mean?

useful
ˈjuːsfʊl,ˈjuːsf(ə)l/
adjective

1. able to be used for a practical purpose or in several ways.
   "aspirins are useful for headaches"
   synonyms: functional, practical, handy, neat, convenient, utilitarian, utility, helpful, applicable, serviceable, of use, of service; More
   
   
   • BRITISHinformal
     very able or competent in a particular area.
     "a useful pace bowler"
     synonyms: competent, capable, able, expert, skilful, skilled, proficient, practised, experienced, effective, handy
     "they had some very useful players"

Are we as a species, or as individuals, ever practical?
Are the definitions of these words really that important?
Was this post, in itself, just an exercise in futility?



















Existence is Futile

 

[Walker]

Existence isn't futile though. You're assuming that the reason for being on the planet is to become some kind of great being, some powerful person, something awesome or whatever. Most of us just aren't any of that. We're just little ants trudging along the ant hill -- but you know what? That's ok. All those ants make up the colony. The purpose of life isn't to get to a final place, it's the experiences along the way and the longer a person spends shitting on them instead of having them the more they miss out on. It's about listening to your favorite band, laughing with your friend until you spit water out, smelling a baby, eating new food, seeing the sun rise, walking on the beach, traveling some place you've never been, quiet times with a new girl. Whatever it is for you, then that's what it is about. There's no end point so it's the existing that we're here for.

 

[Kiwi2016]

I can relate to what you are saying but also as @walkerbait95 said believe that life is about the journeys we all have on this road of life..there are ups, downs, unexpected curves, forks in the road etc...it is through the experiences and people and yes choices we make and meet along the road that is life which can make it rewarding, fulfilling challenging and even fun...and it is also important to remember that as we are all unique individuals by our very existence each journey through life is unique---each life is just as important as any others---as we never know the impact of who we are has on those around us or what new experiences may await us...and yes also life does have its failures at times or we make mistakes but I believe as well not only can we learn from those experiences we can also overcome them and even those hard times can seem overwhelming we each have a deep inner strength that is at the core of our being that gets us through those times. I'm not saying that life is easy but like a road we never know what the future may hold for us which gives us not only hope but also opportunities to meet new people, experience new things as our lives unfold...I look also to my 103 year old mother in law who has experienced both good times and hard times but she has had and continues to have a full life...as she always looks forward with optimism every day ---something which I try to keep in mind when I'm struggling through this life/journey. Please take to heart that you do matter, your life matters, and that you aren't alone as we are all here for you...sending you hugs and peaceful thoughts for today.

 

[gypsylee]

Hey @scapegoat and welcome to SF,

You might want to check out some philosophers. One of my favourites is Albert Camus who saw man’s life as absurd and sought to find meaning in absurdity. He used the Greek myth of Sisyphus - the guy pushing the boulder up a hill every day - as an example of life.

But this is my absolute favourite philosophical piece - the Jean-Paul Sartre Cookbook: http://pvspade.com/Sartre/cookbook.html :cool:

Enjoy..

 

[Aurelia]

Hey @scapegoat and welcome to SF,

You might want to check out some philosophers. One of my favourites is Albert Camus who saw man’s life as absurd and sought to find meaning in absurdity. He used the Greek myth of Sisyphus - the guy pushing the boulder up a hill every day - as an example of life.

But this is my absolute favourite philosophical piece - the Jean-Paul Sartre Cookbook: http://pvspade.com/Sartre/cookbook.html :cool:

Enjoy..

Love Camus. Wish I spent more time studying philosophy in college, but there was only one philosophy course unfortunately.

 

[gypsylee]

@AsphyxiateOnMisery I never studied it formally but have always been philosophical. It used to give me panic attacks lol, so I avoided anything to do with it for a long time. I still don’t know much but Camus was onto something, I’m sure. Finding meaning in absurdity.. :cool:

 

[Aurelia]

Ever read his book "The Stranger"? Very good read. I've done a lot of my own research on these types of things. College only educates you to a certain extent.

 

[gypsylee]

Ever read his book "The Stranger"? Very good read. I've done a lot of my own research on these types of things. College only educates you to a certain extent.

Nope. I haven’t read anything much in the way of philosophy to be honest.. I haven’t even read Sisyphus lol. I just see things around and pretend I’m smart :cool: :rolleyes: My degree is in Marketing haha!

 

[Aurelia]

Nope. I haven’t read anything much in the way of philosophy to be honest.. I haven’t even read Sisyphus lol. I just see things around and pretend I’m smart :cool: :rolleyes: My degree is in Marketing haha!

You're smarter than a lot of people I know. Don't doubt yourself Degrees don't really mean shit compared to common sense and social/emotional intelligence.