NationStates Jolt Archive

"Snares are used to catch game; once you have
the rabbit, you can dispense with the snare.

"Fish-traps are used to catch fish; once you have
the fish, you don't need the fish-trap anymore.

"Words are used to catch ideas; once you have
the idea, you can throw the word away.

"Oh, how I wish I knew someone who had thrown all
his words away, so I could talk to him about ideas!"
~Chuang Tzu

All we have on the Internet is words. If we're fortunate, some of the words carry new ideas into our heads. If we're very fortunate, some of the ideas inspire us to change, inside, for the better. If we're extremely fortunate, some of the changes, those worthy enough, inform our life, and therefore impact those with whom we interact with a thoughtful deed, or a word spoken on the Internet. And maybe change them.

What is the word for this?

"Snares are used to catch game; once you have
the rabbit, you can dispense with the snare.

"Fish-traps are used to catch fish; once you have
the fish, you don't need the fish-trap anymore.

"Words are used to catch ideas; once you have
the idea, you can throw the word away.

"Oh, how I wish I knew someone who had thrown all
his words away, so I could talk to him about ideas!"
~Chuang Tzu

All we have on the Internet is words. If we're fortunate, some of the words carry new ideas into our heads. If we're very fortunate, some of the ideas inspire us to change, inside, for the better. If we're extremely fortunate, some of the changes, those worthy enough, inform our life, and therefore impact those with whom we interact with a thoughtful deed, or a word spoken on the Internet. And maybe change them.

What is the word for this?

Enlightenment.

Or Epiphany - same thing, different angle.

But, good luck posing an ACTUAL philosophical question on the forum... hope you weren't expecting too many responses. :)

Get's me thinking though... without naming any names, there are several people I have talked to on this forum you have 'absolute conviction'. They sit comfortable in the knowledge that what they say is right MUST BE right.

I wonder why those people debate?

Others have a more pragmatic view, I guess. I, personally, would have given up debating long ago, if I didn't feel it changing me... I get 'hungry' for thoughts, and if this place had starved me, I'd be grazing elsewhere.

But, good luck posing an ACTUAL philosophical question on the forum... hope you weren't expecting too many responses. :)
I won't be too heartbroken. ;-)

Others have a more pragmatic view, I guess. I, personally, would have given up debating long ago, if I didn't feel it changing me... I get 'hungry' for thoughts, and if this place had starved me, I'd be grazing elsewhere.
There is a define benefit. I have gotten some great ideas in aid of my website from the varying perspectives here.