NationStates Jolt Archive

Recently, I've been thinking (yes, sometimes it does happen) and I've been wondering about this. I reckon that this is the only chance at life you get, and that everyone should be encouraged to do whatever they enjoy most in life. Since I'm an atheist I believe this life is pretty much meaningless in the grand scheme of things. I know many people on NSG would agree with this. Personally, what I enjoy most is computer games, surprise surprise. Obviously I enjoy other things as well, but at the moment few things are more pleasing than a round of BF2142. I also don't need much variety in life; if I particularly enjoy an activity, I can do it ad infinitum. Now, according to the rules I've outlined here, what exactly is a convincing argument for me not to laze around playing computer games, or for others to laze around doing whatever they want, for the rest of my life?

Now, I actually want to do something reasonably useful and significant with my life, and I'm not actually seriously considering spending it playing computer games. However, I can't think of a reason why I shouldn't that applies to my beliefs, and I suspect I might enjoy life more if I wasted it all. Although I'm not going to. This has been bothering me for a little while, since it's slightly unnerving. Thoughts?

Now, according to the rules I've outlined here, what exactly is a convincing argument for me not to laze around playing computer games, or for others to laze around doing whatever they want, for the rest of my life?

That's a large can of worms, there..

Out of laziness, I'll link to good ol' Robbie Noz, just to get the ball rolling.. then on to Aristotle. That's right, chronology be damned. :p

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experience_Machine

You could go in to computers...you know, help advance technology so that what you believe to be your one shot at life is as long and as healthy as you want it to be rather than what your body or nature would have it. We're going to need a lot of processing power, a lot of programming, and a lot of intelligence to get where we want to go as a species.

Advancing technology is always a worthy goal.

Dance, and drink, and screw.

Oh, and the computer games.

What is this "life" you speak of?

Recently, I've been thinking (yes, sometimes it does happen) and I've been wondering about this. I reckon that this is the only chance at life you get, and that everyone should be encouraged to do whatever they enjoy most in life. Since I'm an atheist I believe this life is pretty much meaningless in the grand scheme of things. I know many people on NSG would agree with this. Personally, what I enjoy most is computer games, surprise surprise. Obviously I enjoy other things as well, but at the moment few things are more pleasing than a round of BF2142. I also don't need much variety in life; if I particularly enjoy an activity, I can do it ad infinitum. Now, according to the rules I've outlined here, what exactly is a convincing argument for me not to laze around playing computer games, or for others to laze around doing whatever they want, for the rest of my life?

Now, I actually want to do something reasonably useful and significant with my life, and I'm not actually seriously considering spending it playing computer games. However, I can't think of a reason why I shouldn't that applies to my beliefs, and I suspect I might enjoy life more if I wasted it all. Although I'm not going to. This has been bothering me for a little while, since it's slightly unnerving. Thoughts?


Hehh that a bloody good one.

it's you're life do what ya want.
However I guess it depends on the answers to some of these questions.

Do you want to die, fat, unfit and possibly young?
Do you belive that you have a responsibilty to anyone other than just your self?

'Er i'll take, get laid for 500, Jim'.

Reasons to do something useful:

Food
Clothing
Shelter
Medicine
Sex (which leads to)
wife
children
grandchildren

Then you die. What life will you leave for the last three. As an atheist who operates on animal instinct, this list should interest you at the level of survival of the fittest.

Thoughts?
Well, is sitting around playing video games the best use you can think to put your one short little life to? If so then you're entirely justified, but I reckon you can think of others that will make your (and other peoples', if you want to think of them) life much more of a fun and meaningful challenge.

If I say that my life has both the interesting quest, (of writing books, changing society and so forth), and the orgy...Are you going to lynch me?

Eh. Whatever choice you decide on, it makes very little difference in the end. If you feel a need to do something you think of as "important" and "worthwhile" then do, if not don't. It really doesn't matter.

well i don't know how old you are but if you're pre-university age find a subject that interests you and strive to take it as far as you can. or if you're into sports do whatever it is that really good sports people do.

having said that, i chose archaeology (well geography, then archaeology) and i've lost all will to carry on beyond the digging bit. but then i have problems with motivation. and essays.

Religion. It gives life meaning.

Religion. It gives life meaning.

Religion. It takes away all free-will and independent thought.

it would surprise me if you could be happy playing videogames all your life. if that's all you do you're going to miss a lot, like relationships and sex and other fun things (and maybe things that aren't fun but wich you wouldn't want to miss).
imo the solution is balance. play some videogames, have some sex, work a litle bit on something you find important (or just to earn money, so you can buy more videogames and other stuff you like). if the only thing you do in your life is playing videogames, you might wake up one day and realize you've missed a lot, and then it might be to late.

Religion. It takes away all free-will and independent thought.
It doesn't necessarily have to.

Religion. It takes away all free-will and independent thought.

Generally, not always. If religion will give meaning to your life, then go for it. If you don't buy it or won't get anything out of it, then don't. Let's not turn this into another religion thread.

And really, if all you want to do is play BF2142 (I'm in the same boat :P), then by all means do it. If you're going to be depressed about doing nothing later on, then do something constructive, something that'll give you a sense of accomplishment. But by all means, it's your decision. Don't feel like other peoples' choices have to be yours.

if this is all there is, maybe your time would be better spent helping other people to have a favorable experience?

sorry, that's all I got.

Religion. It takes away all free-will and independent thought.

:confused: (sorry, I don't have enough free will to think independently)

it doesnt matter if you are religious or not, this is STILL the only life you have. you STILL have to decide what to do with it.

what you probably would not find pleasing is to wake up one day at 40, living in your parents basement, surrounded with pizza boxes and dorito crumbs, fat and unhealthy, out of shape, loveless, jobless, with your only accomplishment being top score on a computer game.

just a thought.

you dont have to be a drone, slave to "the man", doing the same thing every other middle class man does. dont settle for nothing before you even know what life has to offer you.

Now, according to the rules I've outlined here, what exactly is a convincing argument for me not to laze around playing computer games, or for others to laze around doing whatever they want, for the rest of my life?

If you don't decide to do something meaningful with your life, then this fellow will decide for you:

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/images/bozo-the-clown.jpg

A wild orgy of hedonism and excess - 9 - 36.00%

Good to see NSGers offering responsible advice as usual. :p

I'll repeat that I don't actually plan to waste my life. I know what I want to study at uni and continue with. The point is not so much computer games but enjoyment in general.