Happiness is a trap

[tpols]

Disagree. Existance is a blessing for most. I'd say like 95% of the United States.

There are some who truly live tortured lives, but most do not. Not in this day and age.

You could even point to those currently in war in the Ukraine, Gaza, etc and if they still got 20 years war free first? worth it IMO.

Not existing at all would be the worst thing.

You might be out of touch then dude. America has never been more sick, isolated or divided as it is now. Just because people in 3rd world countries are going through a worse hell doesn't take away from our struggles. This is not a heavenly die-mension by any means regardless. All forms of life are in a constant death life struggle and everything on this planet eats each other brutally before its eventually their turn. Cycle of Samsara.

[tpols]

The funny thing is if you dont exist, you dont have the awareness that you dont exist. So how can that be the worst thing? By logic it would be the easiest.

[Off the Court]

You might be out of touch then dude. America has never been more sick, isolated or divided as it is now. Just because people in 3rd world countries are going through a worse hell doesn't take away from our struggles. This is not a heavenly die-mension by any means regardless. All forms of life are in a constant death life struggle and everything on this planet eats each other brutally before its eventually their turn. Cycle of Samsara.

Also false. We litearlly had a Civil War lol.

If you think the current political division is worse than existing? You need to get off social media.

[Off the Court]

If the generation from 1910 saw us today? They would say that the American Dream came true.

People living sub 1000 ft today think they are poor, but really we are just spoiled and can't help but to compare ourselves to others.

[warriorfan]

Off the Hinge lecturing people on happiness as he rages out about Donald Trump and other weird shit all day

[Off the Court]

F#@k Trump but dude ain't ruin my day.

Not yet anyway, he is capable f@#kin this up for all of us though.

[ArbitraryWater]

On a very superficial level we are doing "better" now... weve established international agreements and institutions which have somewhat kept wars in check, and we have the technological improvements which make a lot of things easier and more comfortable.


But our standard of living and happiness has diminished greatly. Many factors for that.

And we are trading in freedom whenever the gov demands it.

Some of the stuff we get restricted in now was unheard of even when we didnt have that many laws and "democratic" gov structures.

[ArbitraryWater]

Nothing has changed from the medieval times. Its different methods now. Sure were no sword fighing in the street anymore... its done through different venues.

Governments work togeher to do it as least violent as possibe, but shit hits the fan, the boys hit the shore, and it will be by any means necessary to advance whatever agenda they have. For our "safety/security". Were morally far more rotten and violent because leaders arent held as accountable in those times. True power comes from sneaky backdoor meetings now. Theyre far more out of touch and in their bubble.

[jstern]

Some of you are just figuring this out now? It's the fundamental reality that separates the men from the flea infested stray dogs soaking wet in an alley.

A man understands that life is competition. Happiness, success, health, these things aren't guaranteed. They are temporary states you have to fight to maintain. When you lose them, you don't whine and bellyflop into the PC crowd hoping they'll catch you. No, you get up and fight to get them back. You let nature take its course. Get better or get GONE.

Then you have the other types. The ones who are shocked SHOCKED! that life isn't a fairy tale. When their little world comes crashing down, they don't have the testosterone to handle it. So what do they do? They come to a basketball forum, create a thread, and declare with unearned profundity that "EXISTENCE IS PAIN."

It's the ultimate admission of defeat. A public announcement that you're not built for even basic social adjustment. Pathetic.

The low testosterone perspective is very interesting. It can lead to an existence is pain thread, but if you look at some low testosterone posters such as Axe and BurningHammer (both who might be the same person), they are probably the happiest people on the board.

Look at Axe, all he really needs is a microwave, some Hot Pockets, and an internet connection. BurningHammer would be just as happy with some old wrestling VHS tapes.

Even if you were to take the internet away from Axe, he can just cycle through the different personalities of his 70+ alts, and live them in his head, or in person. And there's no doubt in my mind that Axe is the type of person who would dress up in cop gear and pretend to be a cop out in public. Or a postal worker, garbage man, bus driver, etc. The guy loves to pretend, and the list is endless.

[Baller234]

Also false. We litearlly had a Civil War lol.

If you think the current political division is worse than existing? You need to get off social media.

It's not just political division, it's cultural and spiritual division.

What we're experiencing currently is definitely unique in terms of our modern history. We were always divided politically but we were still united in our values and morals. Now we are culturally and spiritually at war with our own family, friends and neighbors. We don't even agree on the most basic things.

Our parents and grandparents experienced their own unique obstacles, but nothing like this.

The phrase "Two Americas" has never been more accurate.