<p>"Yes if i was speaking about the past but right now it does not seem that people think this way anymore. Or am i wrong"</p>
<p>Well you said that for you being more than human is living a millennia or regenerating a limb (something like that, right?). Well people try to do this all the time now. Doctors would love to find a way to help people who need another organ or limb regenerate it. And there's stem cell research and those stories in newspapers about people getting cool prosthetic hands or getting their thumbs reattached. There was even a Simpson's episode where Homer got his thumb reattached by a mafia man.
Also most people want to live really long and regenerate their tissues to stay young. People pay a lot for plastic surgery or botox or the like to look young. So botox is like the present day version of water from the Fountain of Youth. And people <em>are</em> running around looking for it. Also anti-aging creams are a big industry.
People never wanted to age or die or be afflicted by disease or irreversible injury. People do want to be more than human as you described it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Also most people want to live really long and regenerate their tissues to stay young. People pay a lot for plastic surgery or botox or the like to look young. So botox is like the present day version of water from the Fountain of Youth. And people <em>are</em> running around looking for it. Also anti-aging creams are a big industry.
People never wanted to age or die or be afflicted by disease or irreversible injury. People do want to be more than human as you described it.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yeah but botox and other mechanisms are just used to make you "look" young. But your body can still fail you and you will still die. I was researching information regarding the brain. Let me ask you or everyone for the matter: "Do you believe that man has only 10% control of the mind at one time." Most things that you do is usually automatic like your blood pressure, your heart rate, curing wounds, etc.</p>
<p>"Yeah but botox and other mechanisms are just used to make you "look" young."</p>
<p>Yes. You missed the point. You said: People do not want to be more than human. I said: People do want to be more than human. The evidence I gave to support my assertion is that people try to at least look more than human - for example with botox. If botox were as good as the Fountain of Youth this would make botox <em>more</em> desirable. People <em>want</em> to be young. Humans would love to become ageless or immortal.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Deep down side i think everyone hates the position that they are in now,
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If anything you seem more down deep depressed than most other humans I have encountered. Perhaps you draw your philosophy from purely your own experience, which turns out to be an honest but extremely flawed form of "enlightenment", I think. The way I interpret that quote is that many human beings strive to be more than their environment and their surroundings- to be more than just cogs in a wheel that turns outside of their control. And in that way you are no different. I commend you on believing in the "more" and the "infinite"- I think it's quite a beautiful thought- but it breaks my heart that you would be so narrow minded about it. Consider the fact that all 6 billion people on our planet right now- young and old, and brilliant and dumb, millionaires, school kids, everyone- have been born into this world for some purpose, or maybe even no purpose at all (!), that of all possible fates we're fated to breathe the same air and watch the same sunsets and run around on this same tiny little planet. I mean, we're alive for, what... 100 years?? What are the chances we'd run into precisely these people! And the same blood flows through their veins as it does yours-- that they sit up late at night and wonder "what if" and "what else" just like you do, we must all be connected in such a deep and profound way- bound in a way by our restlessness and discontent and ambition and desperation, I think it's really quite amazing. </p>
<p>Maybe drawing your inspiration and your powers from other humans (be they intellectually inferior to you or not) is more satisfying than working to confirm a sense of superiority. Just a thought.</p>
<p>From what you say i can quite understand that. I mean how humans strive to become better and better, thinking and wondering how they can change themselves. But its even more disgraceful for me to never achieve. I rather be the dream than be the dreamer. I rather be superior than struggle to become superior, if you know what i am saying.</p>
<p>Aerex, I get this feeling that before coming on cc you stated your views to folks like you did on this thread and they reacted angrily, saying you're arrogant. Then you assumed that being called arrogant is like being called smart. Again, this is just my gut feeling, which can be way off.
But getting back to my story, being arrogant isn't the same as being smart. For example, Nero, a roman emperor, was very arrogant but he was also insane. (I'm not trying to liken you to Nero's depravity, he's just the first guy I thought of.)
Anyway Aerex if you were truly antisocial ("all this socializing business with other humans means nothing to me really") then you would not be on cc asking for advice from people. You would not be continuing this argument if you were antisocial. You clearly crave to talk to others. This is what brought you to a <em>discussion forum.</em></p>
<p>I rather be superior than struggle to become superior, if you know what i am saying.
See theres a problem. Being superior is hard. You have to work for it. If you dont work for it you dont get it (like food ). So, without struggling, you can only think youre superior. Alas, when you <em>think</em> you are superior, without actually <em>being</em> superior, you get called arrogant.
I rather be the dream than be the dreamer.
Well, you are dreaming if you think you can become more than human without struggling. I mean becoming superhuman hasnt been done before, so you have to invent a lot of medical advancements here. Its bound to involve hard work.</p>
<p>Yeah I guess you are right..that i am arrogant but i already know that. I wish to know everything, is there something wrong with. Is there really something wrong with wanting to be superior. Does that make me stupid? When i started this thread i was thinking you would respond in a way that would not discern me as crazy, illogical, or arrogant. In addition, you could say that i am sort of antisocial, i only pretend to act like i care and socialized. My father says that i should be more interactive and socialize with people. (which i don't like doing), weren't the greatest minds in the history of mankind in some form antisocial.Furthermore, I am worried that MIT or any good college out there won't pick me because of my views or lack of caring for human kind. (ECs or crazy things for helping the community) I tried to make myself the way i should be for MIT and others, but thats not who i am .</p>
<p>
[quote]
“I rather be superior than struggle to become superior, if you know what i am saying.”
See there’s a problem. Being superior is hard. You have to work for it. If you don’t work for it you don’t get it (like food…). So, without struggling, you can only “think” you’re superior. Alas, when you <em>think</em> you are superior, without actually <em>being</em> superior, you get called arrogant.
“I rather be the dream than be the dreamer.”
Well, you are dreaming if you think you can become more than human without struggling. I mean becoming superhuman hasn’t been done before, so you have to invent a lot of medical advancements here. It’s bound to involve hard work.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If i had a choice i would be the dream or being the superior because trying or becoming this can bring failure. What if i attempted and failed. What else would become of me. Would people laugh at me, shun of being arrogant as many others have done already. What happens if i fail....</p>
<p>Don't worry. You are not antisocial. I'll just repeat myself, ok, "You clearly crave to talk to others. This is what brought you to a <em>discussion forum.</em>"</p>
<p>By falsely claiming to be antisocial you do not approach " the greatest minds in the history of mankind." On the bright side for you, there were social geniuses too.</p>
<p>"I am worried that MIT or any good college out won't pick me because of my views or lack of caring for human kind."
If you don't feel self-sacrificing then just avoid the topic of self sacrifice. Don't for example write how you exhibit "lack of caring for human kind." Instead avoid the topic, and discuss positives, like your sense of curiosity preferably with concrete examples.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you don't feel self-sacrificing then just avoid the topic of self sacrifice. Don't for example write how you exhibit "lack of caring for human kind." Instead avoid the topic, and discuss positives, like your sense of curiosity preferably with concrete examples.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Then what can i talk about in something like an college application essay that will not offend anybody, and won't my obscure personality help me get into MIT, because i read recently in this post that MIT is looking for different personalities. Mine is quite different right, or a i getting the wrong message here.</p>
<p>"What if i attempted and failed. What else would become of me."</p>
<p>Fear of failure is a negative quality. It <em>will</em> get in the way of your being superhuman. So don't feed your sense of fearing failure. Instead do try to overcome it. You know, take the chance and work your hardest at something even if you might fail. If you do fail, pick yourself up and try again or take another chance.</p>
<p>Every successful scientist, explorer, entrepreneur, poet, parent, etc. has failed at some point. What made them successful was the ability to learn from error and to keep going. Edison attributed his successes to "1% inspiration and 99% perspiration."</p>
<p>Sometimes a well phrased question is a big step toward the answer. You have a great question "what can i talk about in something like an college application essay that will not offend anybody, and won't my obscure personality help me get into MIT"
So your goals in your essays are:
1. Don't offend people
2. Show the important, positive parts of your personality
Whatever essay you write be sure to meet these two goals. Since you actually are a social person and you can sense when people start to get ****ed off, you can totally meet goal 1. If you are clear minded and put in the time, I'm sure you can also meet goal 2. Don't be afraid to start early and write drafts on different topics, since it can be hard to recognize what topic is best for you.</p>
<p>What if my failure results in being on the street, a nobody, a nothing. I would strive to make my dreams come true, but as human as i am going to make mistakes constantly. I don't want that to happen. :(</p>
<p>Yes i have started brain storming what i might write about, however, i don't know what MIT expects you to write about. I heard that the topic questions are going to be revealed this summer [of 2007]</p>
<p>Well it comes down to what you want more.
Do you want to be superhuman enough to take the chance and work your hardest? Or will you just give up now and never become superhuman?
If you want to avoid failure even more than you want to be superhuman than I guess you won't ever get there. But I hope that's not how it is.
Hopefully, you'll overcome your misgivings and forge ahead.</p>
<p>On the MIT app there are some short answer questions and an optional essay that I think will be the same. If the 2007 app becomes available over the summer then start working on it then. Common app questions for other colleges you may apply to will be the same as this year.</p>
<p>Short Answer:
Please describe which of your activities (extracurricular and personal activities or work experience) has been most meaningful and why (150 words or fewer).</p>
<p>Personal Essay:
This personal statement helps us become acquainted with you in ways different from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will demonstrate your ability to organize thoughts and express yourself. We are looking for an essay that will help us know you better as a person and as a student. Please write an essay (250–500 words) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below.
1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
4. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
6. Topic of your choice</p>
<p>It seems so strange to me. That so often, the people who are even just a little bit remotely different from the 'norm' choose to spend so much of their lives exaggerating that difference for others to see instead of creating something truly unique. I mean, just look at all the non-conformists out there. You're not the first person ever to strive to be different.</p>