This is interesting. I also dropped out of of school (film school before switching to philosophy), sold all my stuff to hitchhike around the world, and now reside in Portland. Totally relate to life being about experience. I don’t know when I came to that realization, but I try to keep it as a North Star. We’ve been blessed with consciousness which feels like the universe’s ability to look out at itself and we should use it. If everything is fleeting then experience in the moment is all anyone really has.
You hit on the essential conundrum for the memoirist: how to write into danger zones while remaining mindful of the impact on others. It is in fact an art to do that responsibly. Those ethics are always up for debate, as they should be. But it does seem to me that choosing an alternative path isn't always a choice, and when that's true for us, the best we can do is navigate the consequent risks artfully. Thanks for your insights here.
This is interesting. I also dropped out of of school (film school before switching to philosophy), sold all my stuff to hitchhike around the world, and now reside in Portland. Totally relate to life being about experience. I don’t know when I came to that realization, but I try to keep it as a North Star. We’ve been blessed with consciousness which feels like the universe’s ability to look out at itself and we should use it. If everything is fleeting then experience in the moment is all anyone really has.
on your own terms, yes! You've reminded me again of Miller—and that I should read more actual philosophy! You should make a reading list!
btw "per se" not "per say," although the latter is an interesting construction, per se.
I relate deeply with this Michael. Thanks for the effort and the great read.
You hit on the essential conundrum for the memoirist: how to write into danger zones while remaining mindful of the impact on others. It is in fact an art to do that responsibly. Those ethics are always up for debate, as they should be. But it does seem to me that choosing an alternative path isn't always a choice, and when that's true for us, the best we can do is navigate the consequent risks artfully. Thanks for your insights here.
I wish the stream of words were longer, I ended up thirsty for more!
Thank you! Appreciate you.