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RIP the Broccoli Tree

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Re: RIP the Broccoli Tree

#21

Post by smacktoward »

2bitencryption wrote: post #5
ierolastic wrote: post #2

So many things about that are depressing, like, why would someone cut into a tree like that, and why would they decide that, if one of the trunks is gone, the whole thing needs to be decimated? Both are completely absurd.

since this entire topic seems philosophical, I'll go down this path -- someone is sitting at home, feeling worthless, like their life is pointless and they could disappear without anyone noticing. but there's this tree everyone likes. people notice this tree. because you see lots of pictures of it, people must visit it often. it's a confluence. if you were to, say, scratch your name into the bark, people would notice…

The same reason people assassinate famous actors and political figures: because doing so means you'll be famous too.

Re: RIP the Broccoli Tree

#23

Post by aeze »

sydd wrote: post #15
2bitencryption wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

since this entire topic seems philosophical, I'll go down this path -- someone is sitting at home, feeling worthless, like their life is pointless and they could disappear without anyone noticing. but there's this tree everyone likes. people notice this tree. because you see lots of pictures of it, people must visit it often. it's a confluence. if you were to, say, scratch your name into the bark, people would notice…

Or rather 3 teenagers got drunk, and wanted to do something whats "breaking the law" or "pissing off hipsters" or "really punk". and cut the tree.

Which is really the same thing, if you think about it.

Re: RIP the Broccoli Tree

#24

Post by mjw1007 »

minikites wrote: post #20
2bitencryption wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

since this entire topic seems philosophical, I'll go down this path -- someone is sitting at home, feeling worthless, like their life is pointless and they could disappear without anyone noticing. but there's this tree everyone likes. people notice this tree. because you see lots of pictures of it, people must visit it often. it's a confluence. if you were to, say, scratch your name into the bark, people would notice…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herostratus

Please consider not doing that.

Re: RIP the Broccoli Tree

#28

Post by zaroth »

KekDemaga wrote: post #19
matt_wulfeck wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. It was most likely a male who took a saw to that tree. Is that a shocking statement?

For all the down voters I offer 10 to 1 odds if you are willing to bet that the person who did this was female.

This will be buried but in case you see it -- here's a better methodology for thinking about confidence in something and betting on it;

http://slatestarcodex.com/predictions-bets/

Re: RIP the Broccoli Tree

#30

Post by mostafah »

ierolastic wrote: post #2

So many things about that are depressing, like, why would someone cut into a tree like that, and why would they decide that, if one of the trunks is gone, the whole thing needs to be decimated? Both are completely absurd.

There is an Arabic story about Hatim al-Tai’s brother. Hatim al-Tai was a great man, maybe the most generous person that has ever lived. He was a legend even when he was alive.

One day people saw his brother peeing in the holy Well of Zamzam. This is the most sacred water in Islam. They asked him why he was doing such a thing. “My brother is famous and will be remembered forever in the history,” he said. “I can never be as wise or as generous as him, so this is how I make sure I will be remembered forever.”

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