These are a just a few things I've wondered about in my life...
And as I've gotten older, so many more things have gone to 'gray' areas. This is not to say that anything was ever black and white to me - not even as a child (again black and white meaning completely true or false - not sure you can even use this expression 'black or white' today even though it refers to the colors black and white and not the races).
Anyway, as a child (and even now), I wondered why no one seemed to recommend praying for the devil. If there was/is a devil, shouldn't we pray for him? We're told to pray for sinners. Isn't he a sinner? Doesn't he need our prayers?
Another thing I've wondered about is why forgers of great art aren't appreciated for their talent? I know they're committing a crime by forging other's work... but hey, if they're that good, why aren't they appreciated (on some level)?
And is there a difference between extinct due to man's hand and extinct due to nature's choice? Extinct is extinct certainly. And do we truly have the means to know the difference? I know we think we do.
These are just 3 of many areas that have never been satisfactorily answered in my life... there are many more. Some I hesitate to post about as they may be controversial areas in today's world. But I would appreciate any insight into these 3, if you have any.
And what about you? Do you have unanswered questions floating around somewhere? I'm guessing we all do... some very philosophical, some more mundane and frivolous. Ask away!
Thanks for visiting. With all these days of freezing rain and temps in the 20's... I've been searching my brain for something to post about. Hope this subject isn't too crazy...
Hugs (virtual),
Rian
* since it has been announced that Russia has actually invaded the Ukraine, these things I wonder about seem even more trivial...
but dwelling on Russia will not bring peace to my mind. However, it might certainly get our minds off the pandemic.
All good questions, but no insights from me. I suspect the best forgers ARE appreciated, in their way for their talent, at least by some! Here's a question: When homo sapiens become extinct, will it be by the species' own hand, so to speak, or by natural evolution and selection? Presumably by our own hand, at the rate we're going.
ReplyDeleteAnd why does human nature never change? We learn different (hopefully better) ways of interacting with each and the world, technology changes, but our innate nature as a species hasn't changed in all the eons we've been around. Biology drives us, the desire for power and resources drives us (overall, as a species). Why is that? Why do we never learn from the past? Why are we so stupid? LOL. How does the Universe pick the lottery winners? (That one I'd really like to know. Haha.)
Something that occurred to me in my teens: What we believe creates our personal realities. Is there Objective Reality or only subjective reality? And if only subjective reality, when we die, do we experience what we've believed? That is, do people who have religious beliefs experience what they believe after death? Is there nothing for an atheist? Does someone who believes we're stardust return to the stars, etc.? What about an agnostic? :-)
I love questions like that. It's all the Mystery of Life!
Love your questions. And I have no answers. Sometimes I think the answer to why some never learn from the past is that all don't evolve at the same rate as others. And I love your question about the lottery... although there may be a mathematical answer to that one. And your question about subjective vs objective reality is also interesting. However, I do believe that just because we can't perceive it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Great fun exploring these ideas.
DeleteSuch a clever use of that cartoon as a lead-in to your post. Trivial things, especially those that aren't holding someone up to ridicule, do a valuable service by offering a respite, even briefly, from the world's woes.
ReplyDeleteAnd boy, do we ever need a respite...
DeleteOh, this was a really fun post, Rian! You do come up with some intriguing questions, all right. Sooner or later, we'll know the answer to what happens, if anything, after we die. I have been laughing at this quote for days: Thank God I'm an atheist. (hahaha)
ReplyDeleteTrue, eventually we'll know the answer to that one question, DJan.. only thing is none of us are that curious that we want to know NOW. We are willing to wait on that one.
DeleteFunny, I have always felt that about forgers. They really are talented. Also that is a good point about praying for the devil. Hey if a bunch of us did it, it might bring him back into the fold. Can't hurt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking our mind off Russia.
Patti, I guess with forgers it could be that despite their apparent 'gift', they choose to use it for greed? (I'm 'guessing' why someone with that much skill would make that choice..) As for the devil (for those who believe and those who don't) my thoughts just wondered as a child, why we weren't asked to pray for him.
DeleteI've no answers for you, and to be honest, I'm not certain I've ever queried anything to that extent. Perhaps the existential question of all teenage angst is why am I here...and I'm not certain I've ever answered that either.
ReplyDeleteBetty White is quoted as saying when someone died, "now they know the secret", something that her mother told her. I do wonder about that, will we know all or when that light goes out, is that it?
As for Russia and Ukraine, I am just horrified, saddened, and frightened. I think we all hav questions that can't be answered.
It's strange, Mae, but I'm not sure I ever wondered why I'm here. I have possibly wondered about the purpose of life. I think it's to love... and to be loved in return... and that includes all life, not just human. As for 'knowing the secret', we'll either know or not care at that point.
DeleteAnd yes, Russia and the Ukraine situation is scary. I'm trying not to think about it.
One might admire a forger's skill, but that skill in not usually being used to add beauty to the world but to steal someone else's art and deceive potential buyers, so I don't admire that lack of integrity.
ReplyDeleteI suppose one could consider human actions, humans being a part of nature, part of the grand scheme of things. But clearly the slaughter of entire species like the passenger pigeons, for example, if hard to justify. People can choose greed that leads to waste, or they can choose compassion of others and all the things of the earth.
Thanks for the nudge to think about these questions that probably have no clear answers.
As for the devil, if one is part of a religion that believes in a devil, by all means, pray for it to have a change of mind. Praying to it might be a different story entirely.
No, no one admires lack of integrity. But appreciation for the skill is still possible... although it is sad that one would use such a 'gift' with evil intentions. IMO humans face the choice everyday of choosing love and compassion or power and greed. Why some choose one and some the other, I'll never know. Perhaps fear comes into it?
DeleteWE ARE the most destructive species, so I am guessing almost all extinctions lead back to mankind. I do not believe in the devil but I do believe in man's weakness and greed...so would never pray for the "devil" to see the light. I actually have wondered why art forgers do not have some type of artistic job or fame.
ReplyDeleteI was taught to believe in the devil, but now tend to believe that yes, evil exists - but it's basically inside man. In many ways I think we create our own heaven or hell. And I find the word 'praying' a lesson in semantics. Praying to me is simply asking (whether an inside or outside source) to use our own innate power given to us (from God, the Universe, the Force, whatever) to make things right. I do think our thoughts and prayers have power.
DeleteSuch intriguing questions, and exceptional responses!! I for one have always wondered why we are here. What is our purpose? Why are some destructive, while others nurturing (not only humans, but animals as well).
ReplyDeleteThen another one I've pondered thru-out my life is colors...is blue really blue? Pink, pink? Green, green? Who and when, where, why are these words meaning a certain color? Could grass be pink? Or green just as we were told by our ancestors. Y'know?
AS I've often said, the comments are very often more interesting than the post. As for colors, numbers have colors for me and I can see or feel movement in art (example: if I see movement in something, I want to try to re-create it - weird, I know.)
DeleteYou said, "why are these words meaning a certain color?" Yes, and are we all seeing the same color? Interesting thoughts, Anni.
Rian, interesting you asked whether we are all seeing the same color. Just the other day I read an article about “trichromats” in the Wall Street Journal. They are people who inherit a fourth cone in their eyes which reacts differently to unusual frequencies of light and so experience colors differently from most people who normally only have three cones. One person who was tested and found to have this extra ability said that as a child she had never realized that she saw things so differently than other people. She's an artist and she went on to say "The colors I paint into twilights are not artistic expression. Where you see grays, I see a rich and beautiful mosaic of lilacs, lavenders, violets, emeralds.” She talks as if colors splinter beneath her gaze. “Take what you call white. You might see lead whites, ivories, chalks, silvers, warm whites, cold whites, but I see so many more subtle shades, most without a name.”
DeleteHere's the link to that article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-rare-gift-of-seeing-extra-colors-11645246860
I will definitely read that article, Vic. Thanks for sharing it.
Deletei think there is a reason why i missed this. i don't think my thoughts are that deep!!!
ReplyDeletea good post none-the-less!!
Best not to go too deep... can be frustrating.
Delete