Do you fit in?: Philosophy Forums

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Do you fit in?

LetsPlayBrick
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Posted 03/18/08 - 10:07 PM: Subject: Do you fit in?	#1
Do you guys really feel at home here? As I have gotten into philosophy, I seem to get further away from the world. Most of the time I don't feel like I belong in America, and I'm not sure if the rest of the world have much of a different feeling. You guys are on these forums because you enjoy thinking,and you have a curiosity as to why we are here. I can't seem to find anybody I know or anyone I've been in contact with who thinks about if they died tomorrow. I fit in as far as going to shoot pool with friends, going to dinner with my girlfriend, and working on a class project. But I notice alot more lately I get really strange feelings, like somethings extremely strange. Like extreme fear that I can only see out of these eyes, and its has a sense of being trapped or extremely limited, or a feeling of unreality like a sudden realization of "what the hell is this? what am I doing here? Is any of this real?" king of feelings. I'm sure I'm not the only one, it has to be somewhat common.

despinozist
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Posted 03/18/08 - 10:10 PM:	#2
It's called being human. It'll pass. Humanity usually does.
Understanding is the first and only basis of virtue.

Spiral-Architect
I, strange loop.

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Posted 03/19/08 - 02:45 AM:	#3
I don't agree with despinozist. He's oversimplifying things. This might sound elitist, but it comes from a completely different place: you have to realize that most people live in a lower level of cognition. While you practice metathinking (and metametathinking and so forth), most people don't. Since this is a big part of your life, apparently, it is inevitable that it will alienate you - even if only in your feelings. I'm often "attacked" with these feelings and I choose to ignore them in order to provide myself with low level needs (social, ego, etc.). All in all, I must say that if it weren't for my friends with whom I CAN share philosophical idea's - I would probably either be significantly less "developed", or simply miserable. Find some intelligent and knowledge thirsty friends Here's a related topic: http://forums.philosophyforums.com/threads/strugg... Hope this helps you somehow. Here's a related topic:
That young lady is one of the least benightedly unintelligent organic life forms it has been my profound lack of pleasure not to be able to avoid meeting. - Marvin

Paul
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Posted 03/19/08 - 03:35 PM:	#4
LetsPlayBrick wrote: I can't seem to find anybody I know or anyone I've been in contact with who thinks about if they died tomorrow. Have you considered a career selling life insurance? Every single person in the world has thought about if they die. Most eventually come to the rational conclusion that it's a pointless thing to think about. I suspect everyone thinks about philosophical issues at times. Most people simply don't enjoy thinking about it, so they do their best to push it out of their minds. Hence the popularity of religions, which offer answers on a platter and absolve people from having to worry about it. I don't fit in by any measure, but that's due to lack of social skills rather than my part-time philosophy interest.

Allhazred
philotic twining

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Posted 03/19/08 - 11:00 PM:	#5
Hey look at some of my threads and you tell me if you think I fit in. Actually you don't really have to do that, I really don't fit in. I more fit around. I'm not really a square peg in a round hole, it's more like being the air above the hole. I just kinda ignore anything I'm not interested in. You should try that, well only if you don't mind solitude.
A lie told often enough becomes the truth. Vladimir Lenin your awareness of the whole is marred by your awareness of that which moves contrary to the whole - the sixth dimension Maybe... if you spend your life worrying... then the only way that your life will have meaning is if what you fear becomes real. - tagline from Sublime

hyena in petticoat
Cheeky Possum.

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Posted 03/26/08 - 02:27 AM:	#6
A part of my character/ personality that doesn't fit in my social non virtual world fits perfectly here. Not that I get along with everybody, but it's nice to be with people who share the interest in philosophy that a lot of people don't appreciate. It's also reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who is inclined to ponder weird and insane thoughts. (Weird and insane for a lot of people.) Edited by hyena in petticoat on 03/26/08 - 02:38 AM
Your failure to hit the target does not mean you are aiming at a mirage. Reload. Keep shooting ... - 180 Proof Glorious randomness.

Rose
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Posted 03/27/08 - 01:11 PM:	#7
LetsPlayBrick, I have never met anyone who 'fits in' completely. For some people there seems to be some kind of awakening, the more aware we become the more we rise above the baser human needs like friendship, the more we grow mentally and spiritually the more we move beyond the human experience. When I began to experience this I became very overwhelmed and thought I was imagining thing or even going crazy. Everything got better with time. If I may suggest some relaxation and meditation, this will help you to fit in with yourself - and that it all that really matters.

Crazy
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Posted 03/28/08 - 02:35 AM:	#8
I feel fine here, but I don't post all that often. My interests are fairly selective so I only post in the odd few threads every once in a while.
"He is useless atop the ground. He ought to be under it, inspiring the cabbages."-Mark Twain

kris
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Posted 03/28/08 - 09:34 AM:	#9
LetsPlayBrick wrote: I can't seem to find anybody I know or anyone I've been in contact with who thinks about if they died tomorrow. I have thought about the difference between being alive and being dead. As a matter of fact, I have written about it also. It might help you to think along this line.
kris http://kris10846902.tripod.com/

dark society
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Posted 03/29/08 - 07:53 PM:	#10
I don't really fit in, but I've managed to find a certain measure of peace in that. Oh, and I'm new, and glad to be here.

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