<p>What is your biggest goal in life?</p>
<p>You know, I was really thinking about this. Before it was to be a heart surgeon (so cool)...but now I realize that my biggest goal is to love and be loved. I mean it sounds so stupid, but if you think about it, what else is there in the end that actually matters?</p>
<p>Not dying.</p>
<p>become a missionary and do God's work in China.</p>
<p>To be content with what I have.</p>
<p>Freedom
Truth
Love</p>
<p>amen to somebodynew^
we all just want to be happy</p>
<p>To do anything that is very helpful to people.</p>
<p>To create and live my own meaning in life.
This is one of my favorite Vonnegut passages that I think describes it well (its from his made up religion, Bokononism, if you're wondering haha)
God created the Earth
and Man blinked. What is the Purpose of all this? He asked politely. Everything must have a purpose? asked God. Certainly, said man. Then Ill leave it to you to think of one for all of this, said God. And He walked away.</p>
<p>keep in mind, Bokonon warned that his religion is a lie, and at the end of the book John talks about "the heartbreaking necessity of lying about reality, and the heartbreaking impossibility of lying about it." Also, this idea of lies bringing happiness is countered by the characters that embrace the pursuit of truth.</p>
<p>I just did a paper on Cat's Cradle, and had the chance to analyze it in depth. You have the right to believe in the philosophy that you create your own meaning, but that is not what Vonnegut believed. Vonnegut was trying to portray the ultimate confusion of the human mind about why it exists, and the existential angst that results from this.</p>
<p>To fall in love and be loved by so many beautiful women that one would never be bored by any.</p>
<p>^ to cure blindness, so that they leave you</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>not necessarily to not die, but to make sure i live life fully</p>
<p>To conquer the world...duh.</p>
<p>Well I hate online discussions, especially on a good topic like this, since they are so extraordinarily hard to carry out, but here's my quick response while we sit here nervously waiting for decisions:
"You have the right to believe in the philosophy that you create your own meaning, but that is not what Vonnegut believed."
I wasn't validating what I'm taking from it as Vonnegut's ultimate conclusion, though I think the point behind it is one of his key conclusions in Cat's Cradle, moreover the principle behind it as being similar to one of my mantras in life. And as for what vonnegut actually believed/believes in general, I don't know how you would exactly ascertain that, I'm sure it's changed, and it's a bit irrelevant to a correct literary interpretation.
"I just did a paper on Cat's Cradle, and had the chance to analyze it in depth."
Are you implying that I haven't analyzed it in depth, or don't understand it? I know that's probably not what you meant, but it certainly read that way.
"keep in mind, Bokonon warned that his religion is a lie, and at the end of the book John talks about "the heartbreaking necessity of lying about reality, and the heartbreaking impossibility of lying about it."
Sure, that's the point. Bokononism is a foma- or lie, and Bokonon was open about that and celebrated that. Thus, Vonnegut was demonstrating that a self created truth is irrelevant to a verifiable predetermined reality. The quote you used was actually describing being a midget, if I remember right, lol, and again this paradox about the nature of reality just allows one the metaphysical space to take a stand.
"Vonnegut was trying to portray the ultimate confusion of the human mind about why it exists, and the existential angst that results from this."
Obviously there are varying interpretations, but I don't think that Vonnegut's conclusion is reaffirming "existential angst". Vonnegut's conclusion does not border on the precipice of nihilsm even though the book is obviously dark. The purpose of his satire is too poke fun at the stronholds of modern-day hubris: our faith in science, religion, etc. That doesn't discount the potential of the human experience, for satire always makes suggestions. As much as the Bokononism thing is all a joke, it gets across a couple stunningly true points, one being the quote I originally used, and that was Vonnegut's literary point, I believe. Even at the apocaplypse caused by human error, there is still beauty and love in the human potential (Mona, art, etc) as much as mistakes, and that possibilty allows us the possibility for self-definition in a world free of grand-narrative and innate meaning. Basically, I see Vonnegut's conclusion as postmodern, and the quote I used my own way- and I think Vonnegut's- of coping in a postmodern world.</p>
<p>become a missionary and do God's work in China...
In no way disrespect, but, really? I mean, seriously?</p>
<p>Anyways, I want to be a medical anthropologist because its the most effective way to deliver science and help people. Much better than being a doctor.</p>
<p>My goal in life? Attend STANFORD UNIVERSITY (for now at least)</p>
<p>^^^ sorry icefalcon. i was trying to establish some type of credibility for myself, not to undermine yours. i admit thats still a stupid excuse, though... debates like these should not be ad hominem.</p>
<p>I wasnt trying to say Vonnegut condoned existential angst; I agree with you on that. I said he was trying to portray it... as a reaction to man's confusion about his own existence. The fact that we are confused does not imply we can never become unconfused, though, so I'm not saying it was nihilistic either.</p>
<p>Also I agree that he was trying to poke fun at peoples belief systems. I saw this, because he made fun of two seemingly opposite standpoints, science and religion, as Vonnegut's criticism of those who advocate their belief as a complete and satisfactory view of existence. I think he was just trying to tell everyone to chill out and have an open mind, because nobody gets it fully correct.</p>
<p>damn, i was hoping for a vicious flamewar :]</p>
<p>Haha...sorry to disappoint.
And its cool Matt, I know you didn't mean it that way.
I also agree with you that he was decrying both science and religion equally. Though one could say religion came off a lot less dangerous and more silly than the apocalyptic threat of science, haha.
In either case its a great book by a great author, and lets not forget the primary vessel is humor- it is damn funny too.
And if there really were a religion that spoke about midgets, I would join it in a second ;).
Back to waiting, wishing, and a bit of superstition.</p>