h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What is it that makes us need to believe that there is some sort of Greater Purpose to Life, The Universe and Everything (okay, I stole that from Douglas Adams, I have a feeling I’ll be doing a bit of that for now….)?

Now I know what y’all are thinking (it’s a gift I have….) “Why would I listen with any degree of interest to some 20ish year old girl philosophising on the Meaning of Life?” Well, the fact that you’ve gotten this far is proof that you’re willing to some listen to a 20ish year old girl philosophising on other stuff, why would this be any different? I’m not claiming that any of this is true or SANE, just a few random thoughts that I thought I’d share with the world….

I personally would like to believe that there is no meaning to life. That it’s all just some scientific anomaly, some cosmic practice in extreme probability. I mean, in a universe that is so (theoretically) expansive, chances are that something that we would qualify as “living” was bound to exist. (Don’t get me started on the notion of an “infinite universe” either – that does my head in entirely, and I don’t want to put anyone else through that!!

The whole “greater purpose” thing has forever been the thorn in my side, for several reasons:
1) It insinuates that my life has a purpose – which it is greatly lacking.
2) It insinuates that the lives of those around me have some sort of purpose – which is PAINFULLY lacking in many cases.
3) The whole notion of cosmic responsibility bothers me.

I see so much suffering and pain around me, and I wonder what possible purpose it could serve, and can think of nothing.

I’ve already discussed the religious point of view, which, regardless of how hard I try, I cannot ignore. I have always felt a sense of empathy for my fellow Man and have always tried (and sometimes it’s really, REALLY tricky) to do good by others. I don’t know if that’s because of religious guilt, cosmic consciousness or to aid my martyr complex (which is coming along nicely, thank you very much), or because I’m just a nice person (which is a bit of a leap…), but I do try to be a good person.

What kills me is that we seem to need a reason to be nice. I’ve always thought (and to varying degrees at varying stages of my life, believed) that religion was initially created as a kind of horror story. Except, instead of “Why can’t you be more like that nice girl down the street?” or “If you don’t watch out, I’ll give you what for!”, it has become “Why can’t you be more like Jesus?” and “If you don’t watch out, you’ll go straight to Hell when you die!”. Sometimes it just seems like Religion is a natural, and somewhat extreme, progression from parents that were just trying to keep their kids under control….

I suppose the point I’m trying to make is that, no matter how hard I try, I can’t help but believe that there is some sort of bigger picture for all of this mish mash of maniacal mayhem (i.e. “life”). And that really irks me. What is it about my life that makes me feel that it MUST be part of something bigger? There’s just seems to be something inherently egomaniacal in the assumption. I don’t understand why I believe that my life serves some sort of purpose above and beyond itself. I mean, I don’t think that other animals are part of any bigger picture (although they should be I think most animals are far nobler and in tune with it all then we are…). Why do I feel like my life MEANS anything? Why do any of us? And why are we all so intent on finding out what it means?

Bottom line (and ultimate cop out, after blabbering incoherently for so long) is that I don’t know. More to the point, I don’t particularly want to know. I’d rather live this life rather than sitting around trying to analyse it (says the girl writing about every little inconsequential thing that pops into her mind!). You know what, damn it all! I’m going to step away from the computer for a moment and do something completely frivolous and nonsensical (probably pump up the radio and dance like a lunatic, then go out and play pool). I suggest you all do the same…!