avatarGustave Deresse

Summary

The web content presents a reflective essay on existential contemplations, personal habits, and the nature of writing, divided into five parts.

Abstract

The article titled "Individual Contemplations" delves into a series of personal musings structured around "Five Easy Steps." It begins with a philosophical take on the inherent meaning of existence, suggesting that understanding the "Will of existence" is secondary to simply experiencing life, being aware of others' consciousness, and living fully. The narrative then shifts to a humorous note on privacy and security, with the author hinting at personal secrets they're reluctant to discuss openly. The third step reflects on the act of writing versus the written content, pondering the distinction between the process and the product. The fourth step discusses the challenge of breaking a sugar addiction, advocating for a gradual approach to quitting. Finally, the essay concludes with a contemplation on the concept of "here," with the author acknowledging their presence without committing to a definitive interpretation of the term.

Opinions

  • The author posits that the intrinsic value of life is independent of our understanding of existence and that any derived meaning is supplementary to the act of being.
  • There is an opinion that concerns about network and PC security might be overblown, at least beyond a certain level of societal engagement.
  • The author grapples with the idea of writing about writing, suggesting a nuanced difference between the act of writing and the resulting text.
  • On the topic of sugar addiction, the author implies that the first step to overcoming it is to break the habit of purchasing sugary items, rather than quitting sugar cold turkey.
  • The essay concludes with a somewhat existential stance that while the author is certain of their existence, they resist defining the concept of "here," implying that some aspects of life are beyond our capacity to fully comprehend.

Individual Contemplations

Well, I’ve Already Forgotten What I’m Talking About

In Five Easy Steps!!

Photo by Skull Kat on Unsplash

1. Some Of My Favourite Things

Whether the greatest and most minute Will of existence is understood to us or not, it is there. Any meaning to be derived from our being here is superfluous to our state of being. Experience to the best of your ability, consider the possibility that everyone else is also conscious, and live.

Photo by David Jorre on Unsplash

2. Consist of Nothingness

There’s something I’d love to talk about, but then I’d have to change all my passwords. I’ll write myself a note — ‘change passwords for passion reasons’. Honestly, I doubt network and PC security really matter beyond a civilian level anyway.

3. And Yet…

I know I want to write about writing, but then how would I distinguish the writing from the written?

4. Here

Quitting sugar doesn’t have to start perfectly. First I buy a two week supply of chocolate chips, finish it in a week, then buy another! In no instance should one buy any other sweets in this time period. The aim is first to break the buying habit, then move onto the business of real good dirt: sugarlessness.

5. We Are.

I’m convinced I’m here, but I refuse to adopt a solid definition of ‘here’. There’s really no reason for ruminating on the unprocessable.

Metaphysics
Philosophy
Humour
Quitting Sugar
Addiction
Recommended from ReadMedium