questions

Why do we devote our attention to meaningless things when there are so many amazing things going on in this world? We are on a spinning ball of rock in the middle of a gigantic universe, we know hardly anything about! The infinite nature of the universe is too complex for us to ever fully understand. How can we put these amazing things aside and just take them for granted?

Why do the majority of people spend their time worrying about Tiger Woods, who’s wearing what, and whether so-and-so cheated on whomever? Aren’t there so many more amazing things to spend brain power on?

With today's media and technology it is easy to distract ourselves from what is important. Our brains are becoming weaker because, all too often the modern person is putting aside reality and deep thinking, in exchange for useless and unintelligent entertainment.

I, of all people, know the value of entertainment and media. I’m not questioning the value and enjoyment of movies, TV shows, video games, books, or surfing the internet. I AM questioning the choice of WHAT movies, TV shows, video games, books, and online entertainment people are spending their time on.

We have evolved into a society that is so caught up in the latest fashion/gossip/whatever, that the majority of our population doesn't know (or care to know) about what is actually going on in the world.

The average modern adult spends an insane amount of time in school and/or work. What good is this doing? The idea behind school and college education is to gain knowledge and life experiences that will be beneficial in getting a job. However, if it’s knowledge and wisdom we desire, aren’t there better ways of getting that? Universities rely on an antiquated system of constant quizzes, homework, and tests to determine if you learned enough. Aren’t there better ways to learn?

The problem is that most people go primarily for the job part and not the knowledge (myself included). So, what are we really doing? Universities have turned into a system that prepares you to work for someone else and have someone else tell you what to do. Isn’t there a better way to be successful in life than spending four (or more) years and countless amounts of money at in school?

That’s not the end of it either. What the heck is up with spending 30+ years behind a desk or working a boring job? I understand that money is necessary to take care of a family and such, but why do we put ourselves in these sometimes dreadful situations as an initial plan of action. Why spend so much time with work and school and miss what life is really about?

WAIT. . . what IS life about?

I don’t have the answer to that, but I can guarantee that, for most people, what they’re doing doesn’t mesh with what life is all about. All of these things (school, job, etc.) consume our minds and time, and all of the sudden people don't have imaginations, they don't want to have fun, they’re uptight, they don't sit and marvel at how amazing nature is, they don't have time to think about what life really is. . . The important things get crowded out when you have to wake up at 5 in the morning, fight traffic on the way to work, walk into the office where work is piled up from the day before, go home, and repeat the cycle. Our busy lives get cluttered and 20 years go by and we forget that our existence isn’t purely about eating, sleeping, and making money. This life on earth is incredibly bizarre and fascinating yet many people don't appreciate or contemplate it enough.

People gravitate towards the stupid stuff because it is easy to absorb and understand. People like quick fixes and easy answers. There is something about people where they don't even want to try to understand the big picture. It is easier for them to live in their own little world, where their worries consist of what new clothes they’re going to buy or what restaurant they're going to eat at. Those self-imposed problems are a lot easier to deal with than trying to understand the big picture and taking action.

When was the last time you heard someone talking about the meaning of life or the idea of infinity? There are so many questions. What are we?  Why were we born? How do we know we are the only intelligent beings?

In Industrial Engineering they teach us that our job with whatever company hires us, is to use our skills to help that company reach their goal, which is making money. That is our sole purpose; to find the things that need fixing, make things more efficient, and suggest plans of action that lead the company in a good direction.

We need to apply this way of thinking to our personal lives. We need to determine what our GOAL in life is and then take action to assure we are efficiently heading in that direction.

Our lives on earth are a dot of ink in the letter of a word of an infinitely long song. Why don't we try to do something meaningful?

Sure, it's much easier to sit around, watch TV, and get fat, but why not expand ourselves through curiosity, questions, adventure, and a yearning for information?

The world would be a more satisfying and peaceful place, if everyone took the time to appreciate what they have, honestly discuss meaningful ideas, and worked on pursuing their dreams.