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All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

theguardian.com

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Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#41

Post by rtpg »

manigandham wrote: post #22

Recently I was having a debate with a friend who said "you thought about this lot" in a mocking tone, and I suddenly realized how strange it was that that phrase is used so commonly as an insult. Solid thought isn't just good but necessary and we're seeing the symptoms of this everywhere.

The person's point is likely that you spent a lot of energy on something that probably doesn't matter. This might be subjective, of course, but it is possible to think about something for longer than you should.

Navel-gazing isn't a virtue. Though ideally you probably want to be with people who think that the same stuff is important.

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#44

Post by chris5745 »

camjohnson26 wrote: post #35
chris5745 wrote: post #32

I don’t like this gatekeeping philosophy. I feel that this line of thinking discourages self reflection because the first thing we usually notice when we look honestly at ourselves is what we don’t like about ourselves, but that is just a small part of who we really are. Discomfort from self awareness may be the first step to self improvement. Instead of (falsely) equating mental discomfort with causing “all problems…

The point of the quote is that people use distraction to mask the discomfort of sitting alone with their thoughts and that this distraction causes problems. It’s not saying that the discomfort is a problem.

Distraction isn’t the problem, the inability to face one’s self is the problem, and distraction is the solution. However, even with distraction, there is still insight. It just comes indirectly.

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#47

Post by rosywoozlechan »

dedev54 wrote: post #7

Sorry for the morbid take, but the reason why we cannot sit quietly alone is to distract ourselves from our eventual demise.

While still of course afraid of actually dying, instead of being perennial fearful of death I am instead now grateful for being alive this day. Try that change in perspective.

Background anxiety about our "eventual demise" is the consequence of false entitlement to life and health. Young and healthy people imagine good life without end, the dying and people who've lost health and ability often know better.

This change in perspective also helps you make the most out of each day, because those who make a point to remember that their good days are finite will not want to have spent them in waste.

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#49

Post by thinkling »

NonEUCitizen wrote: post #29
thinkling wrote: post #16

It's a funny thing. Most of us have no trouble driving a car for an hour without any further entertainment, and letting our brains wander freely in the meantime. Most of the driving we do on auto-pilot. (Spoiler: Much of the thinking, too, actually, it turns out when you look closer during meditation). But put the same person in an empty room and the same task of letting your mind wander becomes odious. Odd, no?

A lot of cars have radios (and streaming music capability for more modern cars) that serve as "further entertainment."

Indeed, and maybe most would prefer to have something playing, but my point was that most wouldn't have any trouble spending an hour driving without it, even through driving is a fairly "mindless" activity.

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#50

Post by codechicago277 »

This quote comes from Blaise Pascal's Pensées, accessible here.

"That is why we like noise and activity so much. That is why imprisonment is such a horrific punishment. That is why the pleasure of being alone is incomprehensible. That is, in fact, the main joy of the condition of kingship, because people are constantly trying to amuse kings and provide them with all sorts of distraction.—The king is surrounded by people whose only thought is to entertain him and prevent him from thinking about himself. King though he may be, he is unhappy if he thinks about it"

https://books.google.com/books?id=KezeDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA45&lpg=P...

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