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

How Long Have I Got Left?

nytimes.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 190 posts

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#11

Post by md224 »

nightski wrote: post #9
taylodl wrote: post #4

"I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed both nothing and everything. Before my cancer was diagnosed, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when. After the diagnosis, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when." Within this passage lies the meaning of life.

The logical person inside of me wants to say that there is no meaning to life. But of course, that is not how I feel.

Well, of course, that's the trick: to acknowledge a lack of objective meaning while seeking out your own subjective meaning, something that transcends the banal logic of the everyday. That's the tough part (or at least, it can be for many, myself included).

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#12

Post by GhotiFish »

nightski wrote: post #9
taylodl wrote: post #4

"I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed both nothing and everything. Before my cancer was diagnosed, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when. After the diagnosis, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when." Within this passage lies the meaning of life.

The logical person inside of me wants to say that there is no meaning to life. But of course, that is not how I feel.

well. I could make a decent argument that reproduction is a serviceable meaning to life if you like.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#13

Post by philwelch »

nightski wrote: post #9
taylodl wrote: post #4

"I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed both nothing and everything. Before my cancer was diagnosed, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when. After the diagnosis, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when." Within this passage lies the meaning of life.

The logical person inside of me wants to say that there is no meaning to life. But of course, that is not how I feel.

Life is a sandbox game. You can choose your own goals, but from time to time it suggests goals to you. You get rewards for completing them, but you don't have to, it's just a way of making things easier if you have trouble deciding what to do.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#14

Post by obituary_latte »

taylodl wrote: post #4

"I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed both nothing and everything. Before my cancer was diagnosed, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when. After the diagnosis, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when." Within this passage lies the meaning of life.

For you, maybe. And even then, probably not.

It's so easy to try and attempt to break it down. And every-time we work towards that, we are neglecting the true nature of the chaos from which we were sewn.

You don't know when you will die. I don't know when either of us will die. OMFG it can't make sense. Should it? Do I prepare? If so, how? WTF will my dog do? The truth is: you can't know the truth until the moment comes to you. When it does, be it with fear or amazement, it will be only yours. You will get to tell no-one. It will just be yours. In the same way you remember Sandy or Tim's glance in the third grade. In the same way as now. In the same way it is for everyone telling you the theory they believe in that moment.

The question should not be "when will I die?" but rather "how will I feel about my life in the last moment I'm lucidly able to do so?". It will hit you in the same way as Sandy/Tim: it will be something you know you feel no matter what anyone could say. Analogous to someone in love. They might be a jerk, but that time they did that thing...that's what grips you. It will feel like that. And it's likely money won't be the kicker. Nor will knowing that this is the moment you die.

pops confetti cannon

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#15

Post by the_cat_kittles »

nightski wrote: post #9
taylodl wrote: post #4

"I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed both nothing and everything. Before my cancer was diagnosed, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when. After the diagnosis, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when." Within this passage lies the meaning of life.

The logical person inside of me wants to say that there is no meaning to life. But of course, that is not how I feel.

meaning is created, and its worth creating

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#16

Post by sdegutis »

nightski wrote: post #9
taylodl wrote: post #4

"I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed both nothing and everything. Before my cancer was diagnosed, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when. After the diagnosis, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when." Within this passage lies the meaning of life.

The logical person inside of me wants to say that there is no meaning to life. But of course, that is not how I feel.

The Christian in me wants to say "hey guys, I know what you mean, I've felt the same way, and I found a reasonable answer." But my experience reminds me that kind of conversation is futile.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#17

Post by sdegutis »

For a long time I've been pretty worried about my mortality. But ever since I became a Christian a couple years ago, I've been much more at peace about it. Not all the way (yet?), but much more than before. I highly recommend looking into Christianity to anyone else feeling that same fear.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#18

Post by benched »

nightski wrote: post #9
taylodl wrote: post #4

"I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed both nothing and everything. Before my cancer was diagnosed, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when. After the diagnosis, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when." Within this passage lies the meaning of life.

The logical person inside of me wants to say that there is no meaning to life. But of course, that is not how I feel.

One thing about knowledge, and being a tiny little human, is that if you don't know about the whole framework behind existence, then not only do you not know if there is such a thing or what it is, but you also don't know whether anybody knows. And don't you even think about reaching for that Razor.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#19

Post by obituary_latte »

sdegutis wrote: post #17

For a long time I've been pretty worried about my mortality. But ever since I became a Christian a couple years ago, I've been much more at peace about it. Not all the way (yet?), but much more than before. I highly recommend looking into Christianity to anyone else feeling that same fear.

Please don't downvote just because you disagree. Have a discussion if you're comfortable with your beliefs. It would do more good for all involved.
Post reply on HN