Mm, travel. I’m only beginning to realize how much I long for it. But it definitely comes down to that experience through which we escape into another’s perspective…and now I’m obsessively investigating that idea in terms of art &design, with how a creative work can provide a similar (though maybe not as lengthy!) immersive experience. I couldn’t agree with you more about the critical thinking movement, which I’m hoping to ignite on my part through creativity! There you have the beginnings of my life project…and yes, travel will definitely be a part! Angling for Rome next fall

Would love to talk more soon…in the meantime, happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate!

I do believe that a critical thinking movement must take place, at one time or another, lest risk the continual and perpetual dumbing down of the nation (and US, as humanity), via the cog-in-business-suit role.  There will come a point in which, from our specialized occupations drilling us to look, act and be our role, we will no longer be our full selves, and hence, no longer be able to think for ourselves, but rather, will have to turn to others for direction regarding all aspects of our daily lives.

Scary.

As for the how? 

Travel, girl.  Just start traveling. 

It is the one and only way we can escape the confines of our own beliefs, and step into those of another, which is necessary if we aim for an objective examination…which is truly the only real examination of all.

XO

Was just rereading Fountainhead last night… the ideals make me hurt, in such a good way. I think she’s brilliant, but so easily alienates people not already intuitively aligned with her philosophies.

And that’s where I go, wow, YOUR writing… I don’t even know how to explain it, but you just managed to unravel Ayn’s ideas without being offensive nor defensive, crack me up, and deliver your revelation with a sizzling snap! Your ability to engage while also being direct &to the point is so, so admirable.

Not to mention:
“In the end, I can’t help but believe that this serves as further support for a call for critical thinking, and the ability to deconstruct one’s realities, analyze them and then use those conclusions to serve as one’s compass.” –Yessssss. Ah. I’m with you a million percent. And the big question is: How? (As for answers, I will be diving into that search for the rest of my life.)

You’re seriously brilliant, girl. We need more people to get excited + dig out fundamental inconsistencies in our way of living. Independent thinking at its finest

Let me try again, and incorporate also what both you and Brian have said, cuz it's good stuff:

Firstly! Rest assured that there was nothing anywhere on this website that I took personally. Your comment on altruism had set me off, not because you brought it up, but only because it reminded me of others with more malicious (or perhaps simply self-conscious?) intent who happened to make the same point as you for different reasons. I get what you're saying and even agree: people who do good things do them because it makes them feel good. There's nothing wrong with that sort of motivation, and I'm glad you pointed it out.

My problem comes in when, like I said, cynics (yourself NOT included!!) try to make me feel silly for doing things for others, and do so by telling me that pure altruism doesn't exist. Like Brian said, it's almost as though the cynic is trying to erase any notion that my humanitarian actions make me “better than her” (as if I would imply such a thing, anyway). I suppose then, my “so what?” is said more to question the intent of the cynic; said more to beg the question, “why are you making me feel guilty to replace your guilt for not contributing to society? I'LL FIGHT YOU.” (Okay so I won't actually fight her. Not until my BF makes me a Tae Kwon Do master, at any rate. I'm too little to go around beating people up, even for the good of humanity.)

My last digression aside, I hope that made sense. The point of all my seemingly endless rambling here was not so much to disagree with you, nor to shake my finger at you for discussing the existence of true altruism (heaven forbid I shake my finger at you for initiating discussion, period!). My intent was more to say that, yes, pure altruism doesn't exist. But like you said, that's no reason to stop doing good things for others, and we shouldn't feel guilty for feeling good when we contribute to the greater wellfare of society. There's nothing wrong with doing good things because it makes us feel chipper. Better than doing things to hurt others and feeling good about *that*!

And thanks also to Brian for your input, it helped ground my thoughts.

P.S.  I really wish I could read what looks to be Portuguese. 

P.S.  Just to clear it up, the finger in The Middle Finger Project was aimed at rigid, money and power-driven societal expectations….not people.  So yes, “Love you” it is!

Thanks for the comment, and welcome to the site. 

I definitely don't mean to imply that capitalism is bad, nor engaging in altruistic activities, but just thought I'd point out the inconsistency.  :p

But you make an excellent point–in order to even think about doing things for others, we first have to be in a position to do so.  In that respect, it seems to represent a cycle. 

As always–thanks for stopping to hang out. 

Your comment is totally fine.  That's the point of this entire website–to encourage dialogue and get a conversation going.  Thanks for making it!  I understand the point you're making, and I suppose my response would have to be that technically, you could probably say “So what?” to my entire website.  Everything that I post is in the name of provoking thought.  That said, asking “so what,” is sort of like saying that people shouldn't debate whether God does or doesn't exist since there isn't going to be a solidified answer, or the difference between right and wrong.  Obviously, blindly accepting assumptions isn't the ideal scenario, so we question those assumptions.  That was my intention here.  Within this context, calling out altruism was done more for us to be mindful of others' intentions with us, rather than our intentions with them, although it's all relative.  It sounds like you're highly offended that I would ever suggest that anything that you do is done without the purest of intentions, and I apologize if that was your reaction but I didn't mean to say that such acts shouldn't be performed; simply that we receive psychological benefits from doing so in the process.  But beyond seemingly selfless big acts like volunteering in orphanages, for example, we're surrounded with this concept everywhere, right down to this blog comment.  For example, what are you getting from leaving it in the first place?  Well, you definitely get the benefit of being able to express yourself and feel as if you've got some type of influence in the world, you get the benefit of social interaction, you get the benefit of having further refined your thought processes and life philosophies, and you might even be receiving the benefit of possible traffic to your own website from readers here that might see this.  Whether you're consciously doing it for those reasons or others is a different matter.  On my end, what do I get from responding?  All of the same things you do with the exception of the last, but in exchange I get the benefit of showing readers that their comments matter to me, which will build trust and hopefully ultimately help me expand The Middle Finger Project. 

See what I mean? 

Brian can call me cynical all he wants, but I'd rather be considered cynical than obtuse.  (I'm not calling you that!) By the way, I know Brian in real life and he usually doesn't send so many jabs my way when there's a round of beers involved!  :p

I think the “so what” is that if altruism is pure self-interest, the cynic tries to remove any notion that the altruist is better than her.  If you have no problems with the cynic putting herself at your level, then I suppose there really is no “so what” there at all.  On the other hand, if you'd like to say that other people also ought to be altruistic, because it represents some higher cause for humanity, then I think you're going to have to fight her on that one.

Hmm.. I think this should be a blog post at mskarenau.com. Man, you and Chevy have provided me with quite some material to think and write about, either indirectly or directly. Sweet.

Anyway, sorry I ranted on your comment section, I didn't mean for it to turn out a rant, nor did I mean to make you feel bad about saying “pure altruism doesn't exist”! Because it's important to recognize the motivations behind our deeds, and I don't have issues with the way you've framed it. My reaction unfortunately came more from my past experiences. I hope you don't feel I took it out on you!