[WIP] Retirement

[onelifecrisis]

Originally Posted by Philipp_Thomsen

LOL!

You guys need to read more!

Hundreds of people already did what I'm planning to do.
You guys are to tied up on money that living without it seems impossible.
But remember, capitalism, fast food, carrers, ostentation, this is all 21th century inventions, and I really don't want that. People lived very happily before that.

Maybe they did, maybe they didn't. Who knows? Answer? Not you. You weren't there.

Originally Posted by Philipp_Thomsen

Just stop and analise the world around you. Guys with BMW's, nice suits, running around like crazy, worried about tons of things, all the time talking in the cellphone. And on the other side of the sidewalk, a garbage man, talking to a hippie, both laughing a lot.

You've seen The Matrix too many times. It's a good film, with a good point, but I'm wondering if you grabbed the wrong end of it. After all, you've never been that guy with the BMW and the cell phone.

*dons lecturer hat*

Morpheus shows Neo that the world is a machine. People in the world are slaves to the system. Anyone in the system can become an "agent" i.e. anyone who puts the system above all else loses their humanity. Fair enough. You obviously get this bit loud and clear.

Morpheus also teaches Neo that if he believes in himself, and if he sees the system for what it really is (an illusion) then he can do anything he likes inside the machine. It's important to note that outside the system he's nothing - just flesh and blood, and no more or less than any other man. When you watch the film, which parts make you whoop and cheer? The parts where Neo is in the Real World, or the parts where Neo is kicking ass in the Matrix?

At the end Neo finds that can't do any of it alone. He needs Trinity. The purpose of the character called Cypher is to show us what happens to the Neos who don't find their Trinitys. If you're the romantic sort you can take that to mean that a man is nothing without a good woman, otherwise you can take in the more general sense that people need love (of whatever kind) from other people. Either way, it comes down to one thing: other people are both the reason and the ability to use the system to your own ends.

The next two films in the series are an overly-long discussion of free will vs purpose. Smith values purpose, Neo values freedom of choice. So, purpose is bad and free choice is good? Well, think about that suit you mentioned, running around babbling on his cellphone. What makes him so... energetic? Purpose. Just like Smith. So the suit is an agent of the system, right? Another plugged-in souless cog in the machine with no free will. Or is he? Did you ever think maybe he's Neo?

Here in the UK, not so long ago, two policemen watched someone drown to death because in the specific circumstances it would have been illegal to save the person's life. They are the agents/slaves to the system, and that is what the film is trying to warn you against. In my opinion, the film isn't trying to say "rise up and overthrow the system!" After all, everyone knows that the only result would be a new system. The film is trying to let you know that (a) it is a system - some people don't even realise that, and (b) you can beat it, use it, twist it to suit your purposes, but you don't have to be any more trapped by it than you want to be, and you should not sell your soul to it.

I bet that by now my patronising teacher babble is probably making your blood boil, but I must add one thing: another good film to watch, before you go, would be Fight Club. You'd like it, I think, if your homophobia can handle the gay subtext. It's the same sort of thing but much better in some ways. It's also entirely metaphorical from start to finish, so put your thinking hat on and enjoy.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Back by popular demand.....
for now.

Play nice


RDP

[Myxale]

Originally Posted by Philipp_Thomsen

LOL!

You guys need to read more!

Hundreds of people already did what I'm planning to do.
You guys are to tied up on money that living without it seems impossible.
But remember, capitalism, fast food, carrers, ostentation, this is all 21th century inventions, and I really don't want that. People lived very happily before that.

Just stop and analise the world around you. Guys with BMW's, nice suits, running around like crazy, worried about tons of things, all the time talking in the cellphone. And on the other side of the sidewalk, a garbage man, talking to a hippie, both laughing a lot.

This is the mind-set of BUDO. To be free of the own "I"

Kudos Phil! I wish you the best and may enlightenment find you.

The only thing you have to fear is fear itself. Go out and explore the world, accumulate life experiences, meet people, have fun. You're a long time dead so carpe diem.

As Robert Browning would say "I hold that a man should strive to the uttermost for his life's set prize", and this is written on the back of Ernest Shackleton's grave.

If you don't have a "life's set prize"...go out and find one

[Letum]

Originally Posted by Uber Gruber

As Robert Browning would say "I hold that a man should strive to the uttermost for his life's set prize", and this is written on the back of Ernest Shackleton's grave.

Ahh! My great, great Uncle had a way with words.

[Philipp_Thomsen]

Yeah, great words indeed.

You know, the only thing I really fear is men itself.

It's easier for men to cause me harm than nature.

[Elektranaut]

Good Luck Thompsen.Back in 1999 I too downed tools and hit the road,from England right across the States,pacific islands,New Zealand,Australia,Far East,India...man what an experience!I have memories which are priceless.I agree with you,the planet is going to hell so see it before its all gone up in flames.

[Sniper_Fox]

Quite true, I too want to go on a large tour of the world. By boat though. I want to see pretty much every port this world has to offer.

Then sleep with the many many different ladies each port has to offer!

As long as I don't have such an ugly mug like the guy in my picture on the left I should not have too much of a problem with that! ha ha ha!

It's not what you say that matters.
It's not how you look that matters.

It's what you do that matters.

I've seen many people fail
because they could not do what they said they would.

Mostly, they failed because of fear.
It's easier to say something is to hard or whatever,
then to face those fears and plow through them.

PT
You want to walk the World?
Then do it.
On your journey be aware!
Many things will happen!
It will be the measure of you.

Only you can determine your mark.
And if at some point you turn around and go home?
At that time you'll understand.

Gods Speed Mate!
And may all be good!

[Task Force]

Yea, just be careful. And never say never!!!

Seeing the world by boat would be something Id like to do. Everyday something different (depending on how you think about it.) The ocean is always throwing up a new challenge.

[Wildhawke11]

Good luck Philipp.
You have been like a breath of fresh air here at the forum. Hope you find the Holy Grail you seem to be looking for. By the way, forget retiring to Scotland unless you are a cold weather lover, and remember the grass always looks greener on the other side old buddy.

[Philipp_Thomsen]

I agree with you Privateer.

I have always been much more curious than cautious.
Since a kid, I always ended up screwing myself badly sometimes, just for curiosity.
That never changed. And you know what? If fitted me pretty good. I regret nothing.
And I'm sure I'll regret if I don't go.
I'm not the kind of guy that gives up when the first thing goes wrong.
I believe that each thing, good or bad, will teach you something.

What I really want is to become a writter.
And by joining an adventure and crazy life like this, I'm sure I'll have plenty of stuff to write down.

[Solidfart]

I've never regretted things I did but I regret lot of things I never had courage to do. If you feel like this is something you have to do then go for it. Godspeed!

[Rebel]

Hun . How You Play The Game ? How You Live In Life ? Life Is A Game. Warning You Are Who You Pretend To Be.

[Letum]

Originally Posted by Mikhayl

So, you want to "get away from the system" and the first thing you do is to go tell all about it on the internet

More like the last thing. You know how long he has been planning this.