Socrates Cafe

[Yorio]

Are we getting younger in spirits as we age older? Are we getting stubborn as we age or more forgiving as we age older?

[renrod]

Are we getting younger in spirits as we age older? Are we getting stubborn as we age or more forgiving as we age older?

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??:a040::a040::a040:

[quirky3]

He's philosophizing..... a la Socrates. Opening the door to conversation and speculation about our outlooks as we age:)

[rubicon]

Are we getting younger in spirits as we age older? Are we getting stubborn as we age or more forgiving as we age older?

As we age mostly we just shrug our shoulders and deflate.;)

[Yorio]

I went on a fishing expedition to see if a deeper dialogue would be possible on TOTV but guess I was wrong. Or, perhaps my questions were too vague for starting a dialogue. So, let me try again.

Recently I had an experience at our neighborhood bank where I had business for decades. Now with bank mergers, we have some new staff. I had a State Tax refund check with both of our names on it. I asked my wife to counter sign where appropriate and brought it to the bank. The cashier told me that my wife has to be present with her ID. for me to deposit in my account. We have separate account. I told her I have done this before but she said this was the rule. Now, I know technically she is right but the small branch is really a neighborhood bank and I know most of the staff there. I thought I would get that 'friendly' treatment. I know she is right but I felt cheated. Rules are rules?

Or, recently I read on a post about a 5 some on a golf course. We do that occasionally on our club. We start off as three some and two some and join together later. Technically amongst five of us, we are using two tee times but rules says no 5 some. Could there be a wink or no?

Or, on another post I read that if one sees someone walking at 10 p.m. on a golf course, she will call the police. How about if a couple with two flashlights walking between 8 and 10 p.m. in winter where no golfers around, would she still call a police? Carrying flashlights a must.

I won't start on questions such as "what is love", "what is beauty", "what is justice", "what is insanity", at least not yet or this post is a total failure.:icon_wink:

[quirky3]

Hi Yorio - Some of my friends and myself have experienced changes in bank policies with recent mergers. I know it can be disconcerting, but I try to be resilient, and adjust my expectations to be realistic, not taking it personally.

Even the familiar staff may be expected to follow new policies, and I'm sure they don't want to be less friendly. On the other hand, they may feel more scrutiny on them with the merger, worry a little about keeping their jobs, and feel more pressure to be sure to support the merged bank's policies.

Maybe try to put yourself in their shoes, and you can both be understanding.

[ladydoc]

I went on a fishing expedition to see if a deeper dialogue would be possible on TOTV but guess I was wrong. Or, perhaps my questions were too vague for starting a dialogue. So, let me try again.

Recently I had an experience at our neighborhood bank where I had business for decades. Now with bank mergers, we have some new staff. I had a State Tax refund check with both of our names on it. I asked my wife to counter sign where appropriate and brought it to the bank. The cashier told me that my wife has to be present with her ID. for me to deposit in my account. We have separate account. I told her I have done this before but she said this was the rule. Now, I know technically she is right but the small branch is really a neighborhood bank and I know most of the staff there. I thought I would get that 'friendly' treatment. I know she is right but I felt cheated. Rules are rules?

Or, recently I read on a post about a 5 some on a golf course. We do that occasionally on our club. We start off as three some and two some and join together later. Technically amongst five of us, we are using two tee times but rules says no 5 some. Could there be a wink or no?

Or, on another post I read that if one sees someone walking at 10 p.m. on a golf course, she will call the police. How about if a couple with two flashlights walking between 8 and 10 p.m. in winter where no golfers around, would she still call a police? Carrying flashlights a must.

I won't start on questions such as "what is love", "what is beauty", "what is justice", "what is insanity", at least not yet or this post is a total failure.:icon_wink:

I was a philosophy minor in college. Went to Loyola U and at that time if you were catholic you had to minor in religion and if you weren't you had to minor in philosophy. So, I will try to dialogue with you on things philosophical. However, I was a kid when I studied it, so my memories are rooted in things younger and more ignorant. I knew even then that 18 was too young to really comprehend philosophy on more then a shallow level.

I think things bother us less when we get older....we know, hopefully, what is worth fighting for and what is not. If we don't know this, we have not learned life's lessons. More and more, I try not to sweat the small stuff and more and more things seem like small stuff to me.

I am a big believer in the socratic method of teaching. I would ask my students a series of questions guiding them to the right answers. It worked most of the time.

[Yorio]

Ladydoc. I had only one semester of philosophy and though I liked the course I could't pursue further. Remember those debates about not being able to get decent work if you had a BA vs BS? I took the latter but I wished in hind sight I wish I had taken more liberal art courses. Now that I am retired I read only what I enjoy reading and not what I shuld read to further my carrier.

Now, I have a question. I agree to your points but what are some of the things you feel worth fighting for?

[ladydoc]

Ladydoc. I had only one semester of philosophy and though I liked the course I could't pursue further. Remember those debates about not being able to get decent work if you had a BA vs BS? I took the latter but I wished in hind sight I wish I had taken more liberal art courses. Now that I am retired I read only what I enjoy reading and not what I shuld read to further my carrier.

Now, I have a question. I agree to your points but what are some of the things you feel worth fighting for?

Challenging ignorant prejudices is a big one. Changing opinions is tough work, but occassionally you can make a dent. It is making that first dent that is really hard. Intermittent reinforcement is what keeps us all going!!! LOL

[angiefox10]

Challenging ignorant prejudices is a big one. Changing opinions is tough work, but occassionally you can make a dent. It is making that first dent that is really hard. Intermittent reinforcement is what keeps us all going!!! LOL


I'm not sure you ever change someone's opinion but in time after they think about what you said, they may be able to understand. Maybe... I'm not sure why we get so locked in our "opinion" that we can't see it from another angle, but we do... I know I do. When I stop and try to understand, or if, then we can discuss the issues.

This is an interesting thread.

[Yorio]

You are right. Let me mull them over and get back to you but hopefully others will jump in also.

[Yorio]

Quirky3. Yes, indeed when the bank manager called, I told her not to reprimand the teller as she was only doing her job. She was indeed doing her job yet I felt cheated. My wife said you felt cheated because you didn't get that cuddly treatment you get from other tellers. I guess I am philosophizing and thinking what if all the people went by the book, will it be a better world or not. If people did not go by the book, will chaos reign? Is there a leeway?

[quirky3]

Quirky3. Yes, indeed when the bank manager called, I told her not to reprimand the teller as she was only doing her job. She was indeed doing her job yet I felt cheated. My wife said you felt cheated because you didn't get that cuddly treatment you get from other tellers. I guess I am philosophizing and thinking what if all the people went by the book, will it be a better world or not. If people did not go by the book, will chaos reign? Is there a leeway?

I think there are friendly ways to "go by the book". (And unfriendly ways). Maybe you can charm her into being more friendly ("what goes around comes around").

[Yorio]

Yes, Angiefox10, why is it so hard to change one's own opinion? Why is it difficult to say "right, I never thought from that angle" or just plainly state "you are right". Is it because one is stubborn and if so where does it come from?

[angiefox10]

Yes, Angiefox10, why is it so hard to change one's own opinion? Why is it difficult to say "right, I never thought from that angle" or just plainly state "you are right". Is it because one is stubborn and if so where does it come from?


Maybe, we all just have a little "right fighter" in us. :) But of coures I'm a woman and you know we are ALWAYS right!

[2BNTV]

Are we getting younger in spirits as we age older? Are we getting stubborn as we age or more forgiving as we age older?

Opinions:

I always use to say to my mother that you can’t tell other people what to do but you can inform them there is another way to view their situation. I found that some people when they lived a very long time are set in their views and don’t see a reason to change them. It worked for them and who is anyone to say different, is the overriding thought.

I think we have the option of everyday to wake-up and decide what we are going to do with a new day. Looking forward tends to make one younger in spirit as opposed to always reflecting on the past. The past can be good if one looks back to view their mistakes and determine what they could do to make things better in the present

I think a lot of how we look at things as we get older depends a lot on what values and attitudes were being taught to us when we were young. It is amazing how we develop similar attitudes of our parents. I would like to think I adopted the good attitudes from my parents and rejected the not so nice ones.

Everyone has an opinion. You can’t open a closed mind.

[Barefoot]

I guess I am philosophizing and thinking what if all the people went by the book, will it be a better world or not. If people did not go by the book, will chaos reign? Is there a leeway?

All working people should definitely go by the book, and everyone under the age of 55 should automatically comply. Those over 55 should be able to do whatever they darn well please. :spoken:

It's a know fact that old timers become short tempered, crotchety and lack tolerance. But do they really, or do they become gentler and wiser because of life lessons they have learned?? Personally, I think you just become more of who you've always been.

[villagegolfer]

"When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudice, and motivated by pride and vanity”

[angiefox10]

Or maybe a little of both?

There are things I have more patience with and things I have no patience at all for! I'm more likely to let someone in front of me in the store (providing there is no one behind me to hold up) and yet I am more likely to speak up if someone tries to butt in, where when I was younger I might not have said a word.

[mgjim]

You've raised some very important points.

People who have always been in charge,in their old age, tend to believe that they that they are always right.

People who have always worked for someone else, in their old age, tend to believe that there are other opinions that have to be considered.

People who have never worked, in their old age, tend to believe that someone else will take care of everything.

I think that pretty much covers it.

[CMANN]

This is way too deep for me.

The reason you don't have a joint checking account is...........?????

[ladydoc]

I think changing others opinions is difficult because one's beliefs are usually a fairly consistent gestalt...a world view. If one little thing maybe gets tweaked, the whole belief system can become shaky and very few are really comfortable with that. It is like having to hold the fort and not let it get breached anywhere. There was tons of research done during WWII about changing beliefs...and very little was successful. The one I remember most is the one that was a failure in getting people to eat more organ meats.

I have said many times that some folks only see black and white, while others can see shades of grey. My life has always been the shades of grey...which can make you a little unsettled because you constantly question everything. If this is right...how can that be wrong? I have just learned to live with inconsistency because I try very hard to think through every big issue independently. When I was a kid our dinner conversation was always fairly deep..discuss world events and my dad would challenge us with "what ifs", so I think alot about what ifs....and there come the shades of gray.

My favorite philosophy book is Alpha to Omega by Pierre Teiliard DesChardins. He was a Jesuit priest, but also a scientist. This book is about how he was able to finally embrace both evolution and the bible. If you have a chance to read it, do so. It is worth it.

[angiefox10]

Thanks LadyDoc for that insight.

I've heard several speakers on this subject. One that I remember can be found on TED. He talks about the difference in our minds and how we think.

I'm also one who questions EVERYTHING. I am ever changing because of it. Lucky for my my friends and family roll with it. I have had changed my mind about a lot of things as new ideas come to light. Talk about rocking my foundation! Whoa! When I see something to be true, I just can't turn away from it and keep living the same way and then it will prompt more questions.

I remember where there was another study and I believe they did an MRI on the brains of conservatives and liberals (not trying to take this political so please don't go there). In this study they found our brains were wired differently. That one would not easily be able to switch to the other. I don't know if I could and every time I try to figure out how the other group thinks, it only frustrates both of us. I think the same goes for religion.

My point is.... Yes there is one. Maybe we could just enjoy our differences and not judge the other because of them.

I don't think I'm saying anything any different then anyone else... You you guys know me. I like to get my 2 cents in once in awhile. :)

[jebartle]

I think changing others opinions is difficult because one's beliefs are usually a fairly consistent gestalt...a world view. If one little thing maybe gets tweaked, the whole belief system can become shaky and very few are really comfortable with that. It is like having to hold the fort and not let it get breached anywhere. There was tons of research done during WWII about changing beliefs...and very little was successful. The one I remember most is the one that was a failure in getting people to eat more organ meats.

I have said many times that some folks only see black and white, while others can see shades of grey. My life has always been the shades of grey...which can make you a little unsettled because you constantly question everything. If this is right...how can that be wrong? I have just learned to live with inconsistency because I try very hard to think through every big issue independently. When I was a kid our dinner conversation was always fairly deep..discuss world events and my dad would challenge us with "what ifs", so I think alot about what ifs....and there come the shades of gray.

My favorite philosophy book is Alpha to Omega by Pierre Teiliard DesChardins. He was a Jesuit priest, but also a scientist. This book is about how he was able to finally embrace both evolution and the bible. If you have a chance to read it, do so. It is worth it.

Also not wanting to take this to political, I must show you an example of a conservative in our neighborhood that has such STRONG beliefs that when he received an e-mail, he chose to contact everyone that had received that same e-mail and try to convenience us all that the e-mail passed around was OUTRAGEOUS and a LIE, never considering that there MIGHT be a GREY area, and his word IS NOT the bottom line....Why, Oh why, can't we all be MORE open minded!....I like GREY!

[angiefox10]

I like gray too!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

My hair's getting gray.......... :D

Bill :)

[jebartle]

My hair's getting gray.......... :D

Bill :)

Only my hairdresser knows for sure!

[rubicon]

Also not wanting to take this to political, I must show you an example of a conservative in our neighborhood that has such STRONG beliefs that when he received an e-mail, he chose to contact everyone that had received that same e-mail and try to convenience us all that the e-mail passed around was OUTRAGEOUS and a LIE, never considering that there MIGHT be a GREY area, and his word IS NOT the bottom line....Why, Oh why, can't we all be MORE open minded!....I like GREY!

Not to be argumentative nor political I know liberals who act in the very same way as is explained above. The problem with this thread is that if two people are on different philosophical planes they are never going to agree. Heck they may not even understand one another. Add to this your core beliefs, ethics morals, etc. I believe in Mom. apple pie and America.

We are such complex creatures that I believe it is a mistake to attempt to define us with words based on our color, religion, political leanings, etc. Certainly it can point us in the right direction but most of us our much deeper

[angiefox10]

Not to be argumentative nor political I know liberals who act in the very same way as is explained above. The problem with this thread is that if two people are on different philosophical planes they are never going to agree. Heck they may not even understand one another. Add to this your core beliefs, ethics morals, etc. I believe in Mom. apple pie and America.

We are such complex creatures that I believe it is a mistake to attempt to define us with words based on our color, religion, political leanings, etc. Certainly it can point us in the right direction but most of us our much deeper


That was the point of the studies. We won't agree. We can try to understand, but we won't agree. Neither one is good or bad. They are just different.

I also like that quote by Soren Kierkagaard;
“Once you label me, you negate me”


Did I understand what you were trying to convey?

[RichieLion]

I don't know. I hang with a large group of guys here and we golf, and go out to eat, and sit in the bar and shoot the breeze. It doesn't seem to be much different than when I was younger. We talk about sports, politics and women, and not necessarily in that order. We goof on each other and share each others problems and are pretty much the same kids we ever were. We just don't always expect to see that old guy in the mirror.

[Pturner]

I went on a fishing expedition to see if a deeper dialogue would be possible on TOTV but guess I was wrong. Or, perhaps my questions were too vague for starting a dialogue. So, let me try again.

Recently I had an experience at our neighborhood bank where I had business for decades. Now with bank mergers, we have some new staff. I had a State Tax refund check with both of our names on it. I asked my wife to counter sign where appropriate and brought it to the bank. The cashier told me that my wife has to be present with her ID. for me to deposit in my account. We have separate account. I told her I have done this before but she said this was the rule. Now, I know technically she is right but the small branch is really a neighborhood bank and I know most of the staff there. I thought I would get that 'friendly' treatment. I know she is right but I felt cheated. Rules are rules?

Or, recently I read on a post about a 5 some on a golf course. We do that occasionally on our club. We start off as three some and two some and join together later. Technically amongst five of us, we are using two tee times but rules says no 5 some. Could there be a wink or no?

Or, on another post I read that if one sees someone walking at 10 p.m. on a golf course, she will call the police. How about if a couple with two flashlights walking between 8 and 10 p.m. in winter where no golfers around, would she still call a police? Carrying flashlights a must.

I won't start on questions such as "what is love", "what is beauty", "what is justice", "what is insanity", at least not yet or this post is a total failure.:icon_wink:

Speaking of seeing the other side...

The bank question: Suppose you lose a check. Someone finds it and forges your name. He goes to the bank and convinces a new teller-- who cannot possibly know all the regular customers yet-- that he cashes your checks for you all the time and has been doing it for years. The teller gives him the "friendly" treatment.

Bet you'd feel cheated then.

The five golfer question: Two tee times involves a different pace of play than does one group of five. Perhaps the group behind the fivesome gets a hole or more behind because five people playing together were able to play faster than when playing as separate groups. Now, the group behind that complains about the group that appears to be a hole behind. Or the ambassador sees they are behind and makes them pick up.

Another way to look at the question is, do I consider how bending the rules affects others or just how it affects me? Do the rules even apply to me? If not, why not?

Couple walking with flashlights: Hmm, perhaps a widow looks out her window and sees people with flashlights roaming behind the houses. Are they casing the homes? Scared out of her wits, she has a heart attack. Or maybe a couple's privacy-- for which they paid extra by living on a golf course-- is disrupted.

Another way to look at the question is, do I consider how bending the rules affects others or just how it affects me? Do the rules even apply to me? If not, why not?

[quirky3]

Speaking of seeing the other side...

The bank question: Suppose you lose a check. Someone finds it and forges your name. He goes to the bank and convinces a new teller-- who cannot possibly know all the regular customers yet-- that he cashes your checks for you all the time and has been doing it for years. The teller gives him the "friendly" treatment.

Bet you'd feel cheated then.

The five golfer question: Two tee times involves a different pace of play than does one group of five. Perhaps the group behind the fivesome gets a hole or more behind because five people playing together were able to play faster than when playing as separate groups. Now, the group behind that complains about the group that appears to be a hole behind. Or the ambassador sees they are behind and makes them pick up.

Another way to look at the question is, do I consider how bending the rules affects others or just how it affects me? Do the rules even apply to me? If not, why not?

Couple walking with flashlights: Hmm, perhaps a widow looks out her window and sees people with flashlights roaming behind the houses. Are they casing the homes? Scared out of her wits, she has a heart attack. Or maybe a couple's privacy-- for which they paid extra by living on a golf course-- is disrupted.

Another way to look at the question is, do I consider how bending the rules affects others or just how it affects me? Do the rules even apply to me? If not, why not?

Very good points, as always! Thanks, PTurner!
:bigbow:

[Bogie Shooter]

reading all 32 posts without a break, will give you a headache!

[angiefox10]

:laugh::laugh::laugh: Now 34

[2BNTV]

Speaking of seeing the other side...

The bank question: Suppose you lose a check. Someone finds it and forges your name. He goes to the bank and convinces a new teller-- who cannot possibly know all the regular customers yet-- that he cashes your checks for you all the time and has been doing it for years. The teller gives him the "friendly" treatment.

Bet you'd feel cheated then.

The five golfer question: Two tee times involves a different pace of play than does one group of five. Perhaps the group behind the fivesome gets a hole or more behind because five people playing together were able to play faster than when playing as separate groups. Now, the group behind that complains about the group that appears to be a hole behind. Or the ambassador sees they are behind and makes them pick up.

Another way to look at the question is, do I consider how bending the rules affects others or just how it affects me? Do the rules even apply to me? If not, why not?

Couple walking with flashlights: Hmm, perhaps a widow looks out her window and sees people with flashlights roaming behind the houses. Are they casing the homes? Scared out of her wits, she has a heart attack. Or maybe a couple's privacy-- for which they paid extra by living on a golf course-- is disrupted.

Another way to look at the question is, do I consider how bending the rules affects others or just how it affects me? Do the rules even apply to me? If not, why not?

P:

You are one smart lady.

Joe :wave:

[jebartle]

Not to be argumentative nor political I know liberals who act in the very same way as is explained above. The problem with this thread is that if two people are on different philosophical planes they are never going to agree. Heck they may not even understand one another. Add to this your core beliefs, ethics morals, etc. I believe in Mom. apple pie and America.

We are such complex creatures that I believe it is a mistake to attempt to define us with words based on our color, religion, political leanings, etc. Certainly it can point us in the right direction but most of us our much deeper


Life is short, share hugs instead!

[Yorio]

I've been gone a day and what a difference a day makes and I'll probably have to read the posting several times to appreciate the trove of treasures of all the postings. To some questioning the unanswerable would be waste of time but for me the process of thinking in it self is worth pursuing. Yes, it does give one headaches if one really want to see even a tentative answer. Why am I even doing this? I guess with all the aged wisdom here in TOTV, I may see viewpoints I never encountered before. I was fascinated by answers, reactions and new questions that were raised. Since I have only taken one semester of philosophy, I have no knowledge of where this leads but hoping a retired philosophy professor will give us guidance or we will just move with the winds even if some may consider it "lots of hot air":icon_wink:

[Yorio]

Angiefox10. My dance teacher always tells me men start from left foot and women right therefore women are always right. If women are ALWAYS right, life would be so simple for men:icon_wink. But why is it then that my wife's directional guidance used to be quite often the direct opposite of where I want to go? The discovery of GPS system must have reduced the divorce rate all around the world.:)

[Pturner]

I've been gone a day and what a difference a day makes and I'll probably have to read the posting several times to appreciate the trove of treasures of all the postings. To some questioning the unanswerable would be waste of time but for me the process of thinking in it self is worth pursuing. Yes, it does give one headaches if one really want to see even a tentative answer. Why am I even doing this? I guess with all the aged wisdom here in TOTV, I may see viewpoints I never encountered before. I was fascinated by answers, reactions and new questions that were raised. Since I have only taken one semester of philosophy, I have no knowledge of where this leads but hoping a retired philosophy professor will give us guidance or we will just move with the winds even if some may consider it "lots of hot air":icon_wink:

Not a philosophy professor, so not sure where it should lead. But, um... did you realize that if you took the "Y" off your screen name, you'd be a misspelled but popular cookie?

:posting:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

.......But, um... did you realize that if you took the "Y" off your screen name, you'd be a misspelled but popular cookie?.....

"Pturner - step away from the wine bottle.....NOW!!!" :1rotfl:

Bill :wave:

[angiefox10]

Not a philosophy professor, so not sure where it should lead. But, um... did you realize that if you took the "Y" off your screen name, you'd be a misspelled but popular cookie?

:posting:


Is it possible you just might be over thinking this?

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[villages07]

Not a philosophy professor, so not sure where it should lead. But, um... did you realize that if you took the "Y" off your screen name, you'd be a misspelled but popular cookie?

:posting:

Yeah, PT, but Oreos are generally black and white...not befitting a philosophical discussion. ;)

Sorry for the interruption... Please continue.

[Pturner]

Yeah, PT, but Oreos are generally black and white...not befitting a philosophical discussion. ;)

Sorry for the interruption... Please continue.

Excellent point 07. But if you put an Oreo in boiling water, would the water turn gray?

Hmmm. Is the fact that there are so many shades of gray the reason you can spell grey two ways?

Oh, and say Angie, I might be over-thinking all this, but I have a built-in excuse: I'm a misspelled Phyllos opher. :throwtomatoes:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

.........I'm a misspelled Phyllos opher. .....

You didn't pay attention to my earlier post, now did you P? :ohdear:

Bill :wave:

[angiefox10]

I had to look it up because I was confused. Gray is the spelling for the US and Grey is the British spelling! I just guessed the people who spelled it Grey were more world traveled then I! :laugh::laugh::laugh:

However I have lived in other countries. Grew up in Arkansas! Ya'll

[Bill-n-Brillo]

......Ya'll

One of the southern folks is gonna get you on this one, Angie.......

Bill :)

[Pturner]

One of the southern folks is gonna get you on this one, Angie.......

Bill :)

Yeah y'all. Gotta cut her some slack tho. She might have been going with the misspelling philosophy. And Bill, I did read your earlier post, but I hadn't finished the bottle yet.

hiccup.

[angiefox10]

This thread started out so high brow.... *hangs head* look what we've done. Think we can clean it up before the OP comes back and sees this mess?

The ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling ideas, i.e., the class which is the ruling material force of society, is at the same time its ruling intellectual force.

[angiefox10]

Karl Marx may have not been a good choice....

The paradox is really the pathos of intellectual life and just as only great souls are exposed to passions it is only the great thinker who is exposed to what I call paradoxes, which are nothing else than grandiose thoughts in embryo.

[graciegirl]

Karl Marx may have not been a good choice....

The paradox is really the pathos of intellectual life and just as only great souls are exposed to passions it is only the great thinker who is exposed to what I call paradoxes, which are nothing else than grandiose thoughts in embryo.



Or.

It ain't over 'til it's over.

Say Good night Gracie.

[angiefox10]

Good night Gracie.... :laugh::laugh::laugh:

[Yorio]

Have reread very thought provoking comments of those posts and pondered. #17. If we just become more of who you've always been, we have aged but we never learned from our existence? It's kind of sad if that's true. #18 Emotions, yes, and people do have egos but bristling with prejudices....? #19. We do definitely become more outspoken but don't we also become more mellow? It goes to another posting, to be outspoken, for strong causes one firmly believes in. Yet, many of the boomers were young when they protested against the Vietnam war so why do we say we become more outspoken as we age? Then we go back to posting #17 where we become more of who we were always? #20. If we never had major failures in life, I guess we do become quite arrogant so we need failures to remind us of humility? From personal experience, I would agree with that. There is danger lurking when people feel they can do no wrong or they are above others.

[Yorio]

RichieLion. You are absolutely right. I love shooting the breeze also and bantering. Perhaps because we feel like we are back in high school or college therefore we love TV so much. On the other hand, even at a college dorm, don't you at times go to a big topic "by accident"? Like, why are we here? What is the purpose of our existence? What is the probability of having a planet just like us out there? It happens usually on weekends when we don't have dates and after having eaten a soggy pizza and after exhausting all the shooting the breeze stuff.

[RichieLion]

RichieLion. You are absolutely right. I love shooting the breeze also and bantering. Perhaps because we feel like we are back in high school or college therefore we love TV so much. On the other hand, even at a college dorm, don't you at times go to a big topic "by accident"? Like, why are we here? What is the purpose of our existence? What is the probability of having a planet just like us out there? It happens usually on weekends when we don't have dates and after having eaten a soggy pizza and after exhausting all the shooting the breeze stuff.

Never attended a proper college after high school. I studied at an art school for a couple of years called the School Of Visual Arts in N.Y.C., which wasn't accredited at that time, and there was no dorm life as I lived at home. When I tired of the art world I left school and worked a bit, until Uncle Sam had some chores for me to do, since I wasn't doing anything better, I guess.

I've had those conversations you mention at times with the rather large group of friends I had, and there usually was a pungent smoke in the air that accompanied most of those discussions, with maybe a little Crosby, Still, Nash and Young on the stereo for effect.

Almost all of those I'd known from those carefree days who were seeking enlightenment eventually got jobs, bought a home and raised a family, and now complain about taxes and the price of gasoline. Maybe the next generation has discovered the meaning of our existence; and if not, maybe the following will do so. I have a feeling there isn't any celestial meaning. It is what it is. The struggle to survive while trying to remain free enough to choose our own path.

[Yorio]

RichieLion. You know I am getting addicted to this. My wife says I am spending too much time on TOTV. And she is right and I should do this in moderation but.... Anyway, I read recently that most scientists are atheists or at most agnostics but don't quote me. If, however, this life is it, I don't see many in despair. They carry on as normal a life as possible which in a way is quite courageous. We should't go the religious route since this postings are not about religion but still a food for thought. I am also glad that postings are avoiding political arena but discussing the essence of human nature.

[Barefoot]

I've had those conversations you mention at times with the rather large group of friends I had, and there usually was a pungent smoke in the air that accompanied most of those discussions, with maybe a little Crosby, Still, Nash and Young on the stereo for effect.

Almost all of those I'd known from those carefree days who were seeking enlightenment eventually got jobs, bought a home and raised a family, and now complain about taxes and the price of gasoline. Maybe the next generation has discovered the meaning of our existence; and if not, maybe the following will do so. I have a feeling there isn't any celestial meaning. It is what it is. The struggle to survive while trying to remain free enough to choose our own path.

Ah Richie, I remember well those long-past days of smoke-filled rooms and meaninful conversations. (Even if half way through we'd forget the topic).

You wrote about the meaning of our existence. I've been blessed to meet a Medium in the Villages that can communicate with the other dimension. She is a retired U.S. Navy Officer and on 9/11, was Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. She is the real deal. Getting to know this woman and being exposed to the other dimension is the most significant thing that has ever happened in my life.

I don't usually talk about her because I'm not interested in defending my beliefs or "selling" anyone else on them. From conversations she has had with the spirit world, and I've been there, I understand now the meaning of our existence and what will transpire when we leave our body suits behind and move to the other dimension. To quote my friend "We are spirit-beings here and now. What we do with every minute of our lives truly matters, and there is nothing more important than loving and caring for one another".

[angiefox10]

Bare,

I went with some girlfriends to a girls retreat. Von Praugh (sp) was there and he pulled my girlfriend out of the crowd and talked to her about her parents and brothers who were dead. Understand she is in her 40s and too young to have both parents and both brothers dead. He told her things that she didn't like to talk about and when the conversation was over, he told her to see a doctor for her neck. He saved her life. She had thyroid cancer. We just don't know what we don't know.

[Yorio]

Who went to watch Fox and Friends taping and heard Foreigners sing "I want to know what love is". What is love?

[angiefox10]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43173

[Barefoot]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43173

These kids know what love is. Out of the mouth of babes comes much wisdom.

Bare,

I went with some girlfriends to a girls retreat. Von Praugh (sp) was there and he pulled my girlfriend out of the crowd and talked to her about her parents and brothers who were dead. Understand she is in her 40s and too young to have both parents and both brothers dead. He told her things that she didn't like to talk about and when the conversation was over, he told her to see a doctor for her neck. He saved her life. She had thyroid cancer. We just don't know what we don't know.

Angie, thanks for the story. You are so right, we just don't know what we don't know.

For those who PMed me and asked for the name of the Medium, I will PM you back for sure! I've just been busy, sorry for the delay.