Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Men That Don't Fit In (1911)

poetryfoundation.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 42 posts

Re: Men That Don't Fit In (1911)

#31

Post by dgoodell »

afry1 wrote: post #18

What a bunch of crap. If you spend your life running to and fro and never commit to anything in the end, then arguably you've frittered your life away. But maybe, just maybe, what you've really been doing this whole time is building up a wealth of diverse experiences, which in turn give you a broad understanding of the world and the ability to bring a unique and wonderful perspective to life. One that is completely y…

Are you saying that it’s impossible for the lack of persistence or focus to be problematic in someone’s life?

Re: Men That Don't Fit In (1911)

#32

Post by fennecfoxy »

barrenko wrote: post #28
bluefirebrand wrote: post #3

Woof This cuts me to the bone Was this really written in 1911? I guess things never really change, humans are still humans

Do you believe," said Martin, "that hawks have always eaten pigeons when they have found them?" "Yes, without doubt," said Candide. "Well, then," said Martin, "if hawks have always had the same character why should you imagine that men may have changed theirs?

I mean there is a difference between lower level evolved behaviours like seeking out food species or being tribal and higher level societal behaviours such as deciding that tribalism is unnecessary under some circumstance, such as judging people by the colour of their skin in a modern, mixed society.

Re: Men That Don't Fit In (1911)

#33

Post by em-bee »

barrenko wrote: post #28
bluefirebrand wrote: post #3

Woof This cuts me to the bone Was this really written in 1911? I guess things never really change, humans are still humans

Do you believe," said Martin, "that hawks have always eaten pigeons when they have found them?" "Yes, without doubt," said Candide. "Well, then," said Martin, "if hawks have always had the same character why should you imagine that men may have changed theirs?

man (humans) is not an animal. the society of man has always changed and evolved. it's actually in the nature of man to change and adapt. the question should therefore be: why should you imagine that men have not changed their character?

believing that you can not change your character is merely an excuse to demand tolerance for bad behavior.

Re: Men That Don't Fit In (1911)

#34

Post by em-bee »

dgoodell wrote: post #31
afry1 wrote: post #18

What a bunch of crap. If you spend your life running to and fro and never commit to anything in the end, then arguably you've frittered your life away. But maybe, just maybe, what you've really been doing this whole time is building up a wealth of diverse experiences, which in turn give you a broad understanding of the world and the ability to bring a unique and wonderful perspective to life. One that is completely y…

Are you saying that it’s impossible for the lack of persistence or focus to be problematic in someone’s life?

no, they are saying that not committing to anything need not be lack of persistence or focus. i have been that person. i am that person. it turns out my goal wasn't to master a specific skill or trade, but to build connections, work with people and help them with whatever they need help with. so my focus was and is on that. it didn't help me build a traditional career, but it led me around the whole world, building up a unique set of experiences and understanding.

Re: Men That Don't Fit In (1911)

#36

Post by dnemmers »

em-bee wrote: post #33
barrenko wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you believe," said Martin, "that hawks have always eaten pigeons when they have found them?" "Yes, without doubt," said Candide. "Well, then," said Martin, "if hawks have always had the same character why should you imagine that men may have changed theirs?

man (humans) is not an animal. the society of man has always changed and evolved. it's actually in the nature of man to change and adapt. the question should therefore be: why should you imagine that men have not changed their character? believing that you can not change your character is merely an excuse to demand tolerance for bad behavior.

I mean, humans are definitely animals.

I'm not sure the society of 'man' has evolved the same way you propose.

Looking back at thousands of years of history, Modern Man is frantically trying to find a niche to call his own.

With no armies needed, no game to harvest, no wild animals to protect from, and no household to build....unfortunatley the currently model might simply be antiquated.

Re: Men That Don't Fit In (1911)

#39

Post by jdelfuego »

Service called his work "verse, not poetry", I just learned. I consider myself singularly unendowed in the whole "understanding poetry" thing, and here is a poem that I can actually understand, and relate to its, and enjoy in its simple musicality. Thanks

Re: Men That Don't Fit In (1911)

#40

Post by Psyladine »

smuffinator wrote: post #21
dosisking wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've always said that having a goal is the first step towards failure.

"I found that if you have a goal, that you might not reach it. But if you don't have one, then you are never disappointed. And I gotta tell ya it feels phenomenal"

And even he learned by the end the only real satisfaction is in helping others.

"Well, I guess if a person never quit when the going got tough, they wouldn't have anything to regret for the rest of their life. But good luck to you Peter. I'm sure this decision won't haunt you forever!"

Post reply on HN