Confessions of a Fugitive Mind
September 16, 2005
Five on Friday for September 16, 2005
In Your Opinion
1. Why does history repeat itself? Because mankind hasn't really evolved since the dawn of "history." As a society we may have made progress, but as individuals we're still being limited and driven by a human nature that hasn't changed in thousands of years. We have the same emotions, instincts, and intellectual capacity as our predecessors so the choices we make are bound to resemble theirs.
2. Why are people so fascinated by celebrities? Because they need an escape from their own lives. I'm not often drawn to celebrities, but I have been on a few occasions. During one of my worst battles with depression I was pretty well fixated on professional wrestlers, the Big Show in particular. All the drama in their performances helped me detach from myself from my own painful existence. It was sad, really. Whether it's depression, insecurity, or just boredom, celebrities offer us a distraction from our own lives and maybe even reassurance that it could be worse.
3. Who is overrated? Who is underrated?
Overrated: Michael Vick. Emeril. Clay Aiken. John Mayer.
Underrated: Toni Collette. Kevin Youkilis. Maia Sharp.
4. Why do so many marriages end in divorce? Because we expect too much of our spouses. Gone are the days when the role of a husband was to provide for, protect, and love his wife, when his wife was expected to take care of him and his children, be faithful, and love him. Now there seems to be an expectation that we be each other's best friend, confidant, golf partner, soulmate, sexual outlet, business parter, nurse, surrogate parent, and personal cheerleader. That's a lot of stress for a relationship, not to mention a major let-down if when one or both spouses aren't able to satisfy all of these expectations. Love can hold two separate people together like a bridge, but it has it's limits. And I just don't think the average relationship has the structural integrity to withstand the stress we place on it over the course of a lifetime. It seems to me that the couples that keep things together have made a lot of repairs to their relationship and adjustments to their expectations.
5. Will there ever be world peace? Continuing on the philosophy in #1, there won't be peace until we evolve and change our nature. As long as we're jealous, proud, and vindictive we're doomed to continue repeat the unrest and violence of our past.
Posted by criminal at September 16, 2005 05:19 PM