How Are You?

[Count Zero]

I can only do what I can on a grass-roots level. Be kind and good to people, help out in the smallest way and try and keep cynicism at bay.

That's actually pretty much. Imagine what the world would be like if all people were kind and good to each other. We can't change others, only ourselves, so you're doing exactly the right thing. "Be the change you want to see in the world" and all that.

 

[An Officer]

All things considered. I would say I am probably functioning within normal parameters.

 

[Goliath]

I feel fine.

 

[john titor]

Yar 60s and 70s music was pretty damn good, 80s are meh, some good artists but I hate that overall synth sound that dominated so much. 90s were a return to form, 00s sucked almost completely with the exception of a few bands who weren't really in the mainstream. I feel, not think, as this is more a sense impression, that there is a heavy preponderence of an attitude which can be described as callous, greedy and shallow. Yeah the hippie mentality was naive but what I like about the era was the sudden explosion in independent thought, it scared the authoritarians. The idea of striving for a better world is completely rational. Though I should say that world is the world of human society, it is not the universe or any objective reality. It annoys me when people say thats just the way the world is. Hmmm, the world is the world of human affairs and if anything it evolves so theres nothing silly about trying to fix irrational parts within it.

Btw we are entering the age of aquarius according the ancient mayans and native american tribes as sea levels are rising.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

It makes me so very sad and cross, and also ashamed in a way that I could never do that.
I can only do what I can on a grass-roots level. Be kind and good to people, help out in the smallest way and try and keep cynicism at bay.

I have often been pondering this as well; the question whether inaction on the grand scale makes one a lesser person. Ultimately, I don't think so. People like the man you mentioned or Sophie Scholl or any of the other truly brave people should be celebrated, remembered, taken as the inspirations they are. But because (supposedly) you or (very likely) I or any of the other millions of people might not - whether voluntarily or involuntarily - be able to act this way doesn't mean we don't contribute as well. It just has to be in the little ways then, like you said.
My favorite example for this (if only fictional) is Augustine St. Clare. He didn't dare to change the world but at least he tried to keep his corner of the world save in the best way he could.

That sounds like a plan, if you're out saving the world who's going to look after your little bit?

I can only do what I can on a grass-roots level. Be kind and good to people, help out in the smallest way and try and keep cynicism at bay.

That's actually pretty much. Imagine what the world would be like if all people were kind and good to each other. We can't change others, only ourselves, so you're doing exactly the right thing. "Be the change you want to see in the world" and all that.

That's just too idealistic. There are always going to be shits to take advantage.

Is it human nature to survive by working together or conquering?

 

[An Officer]

Count Zero, I believe we can change others. You've got to keep the faith.

 

[Count Zero]

I can only do what I can on a grass-roots level. Be kind and good to people, help out in the smallest way and try and keep cynicism at bay.

That's actually pretty much. Imagine what the world would be like if all people were kind and good to each other. We can't change others, only ourselves, so you're doing exactly the right thing. "Be the change you want to see in the world" and all that.

That's just too idealistic. There are always going to be shits to take advantage.

Probably, but if enough people join in, they will have very little effect. Replacing 'all' with 'most' doesn't change the meaning of what I wanted to convey.

Is it human nature to survive by working together or conquering?

Both. However, we have a choice. Just because something is in our nature doesn't mean we have to do it. Modern society wouldn't exist if that were not the case.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

That's actually pretty much. Imagine what the world would be like if all people were kind and good to each other. We can't change others, only ourselves, so you're doing exactly the right thing. "Be the change you want to see in the world" and all that.

That's just too idealistic. There are always going to be shits to take advantage.

Probably, but if enough people join in, they will have very little effect. Replacing 'all' with 'most' doesn't change the meaning of what I wanted to convey.

Is it human nature to survive by working together or conquering?

Both. However, we have a choice. Just because something is in our nature doesn't mean we have to do it. Modern society wouldn't exist if that were not the case.

I know you're right on both parts. I'm just feeling 'grind-downable' at the mo.
I just can't see how you win against people sometimes. I hate the fact that confrontations are inevitable. And I have a fear that if I do stand up and look behind the others will have run and hid.

 

[Count Zero]

Count Zero, I believe we can change others. You've got to keep the faith.

In a way we can. What I meant is we can't will or force others to change. They have to arrive at it themselves. By reasoning and more importantly (I think) by example we might be able to reach them and inspire that change, though.

 

[Count Zero]

I know you're right on both parts. I'm just feeling 'grind-downable' at the mo.

I know the feeling. Just hang in there.

I just can't see how you win against people sometimes. I hate the fact that confrontations are inevitable. And I have a fear that if I do stand up and look behind the others will have run and hid.

Yeah, it doesn't always work. And life doesn't hold any guarantees. Anyway, I just wanted to say that your small-scale approach is a good one and to encourage you to continue with it, without feeling bad about it.

 

[sidious618]

I'm at my aunt's house this weekend. She was a second mother to me as a kid and a friend all at once. Without her I don't think I'd have ever gotten into sci-fi. She lives alone now and I like to visit her and give her some company. We'll have fun.

So I'm doing pretty good today.

 

[Me-Ike]

^ Glad to hear. Also, I am always doing well whenever I see your av. Keep up the good work.

 

[Michael Chris]

Speaking of the avatar, I just saw X-Files I Want to Believe... Seriously, why didn't I see it in theaters!!?! It wasn't the greatest, but I still really enjoyed it.

 

[Gepard]

I was an optimist, until I discovered I'm too damn passive and depressed to accomplish anything. So now I'm just sad.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

Okay at the moment. Thinking about having some lunch soon, before doing some more bike riding on a sunny winter day here in Newcastle.

 

[Michael Chris]

I love how diverse the world is. I was just thinking about having some dinner, but I didn't want to go out because of the nasty raininess.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I should have answered the question like Spock...I don't understand the question mother.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

The advantage of being in another country. It's around 12.20pm here on the east coast of Australia.

 

[Australis]

How am I?

Terrible, thanks for asking.

Life's... I can't find the words. Start with 'not good' and go from there. Some of you know/remember why

But.

I have always journeyed with optimism, always, and I continue to do so.

So the second part to my answer is... but I will be okay.

It may take a month, a year, five years, but this voyager will one day stand on the distant shore.

So I kick back, visit TrekBBS, put on the 2009 Eurovision album on the media player and groove. It's blatantly commercial pop, but from a wealth of cultural diversities, some are terrible, some are funny, some are danceable (and I get to Dad dance, to my kids' embarrassment), some are sublime. And later I might sing the "boom de yada" song, just for amusement and light.

RJ, you should prep your post to be entered in a certain online mag of our acquaintance.

 

[sidious618]

^ Glad to hear. Also, I am always doing well whenever I see your av. Keep up the good work.

Thanks, man. It makes me happy to. I always try to pick an av that makes me smile when I see it. Same thing with my background on my laptop (which is currently Olivia Dunham from Fringe).

Speaking of the avatar, I just saw X-Files I Want to Believe... Seriously, why didn't I see it in theaters!!?! It wasn't the greatest, but I still really enjoyed it.

I liked it, too. It was a quiet film and that was a bad move because it was being released in the summer right after The Dark Knight but I thought it served the show well. If it's the last we see of the show then it's a good epilogue.