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A Cosmic Indifference
A man said to the universe
"Sir, I exist!"
"However", replied the universe
"The fact has not created in me
a sense of obligation."
As you read the poem, it's beautiful words will wash over you like a wave crashing over its sandy shore. However, it's not only the words that are striking. It's the meaning to those words. What does this poem mean? I think that it has to do with how the universe does not care about man nor his existence. The man shouts out to the universe that he's there- that he's alive- but the universe replies that it does not feel any "obligation" towards him. Obligation for what, though? I assume that it's an obligation to take care of the man, who represents the human race. Therefore, if my presumption is correct, we can assume that the universe in question is indeed a very hostile one, because of its lack in sense of obligation. To me, the poem put the words "cosmic indifference" in my head. The universe does not care about man, according to the poem, and is utterly indifferent about what it throws at you. It can rock a person to his or her core, and still give them the cold shoulder. And I note the use of the word "sir". It is evident to me that the man is below the universe in whatever ranking, because a master would never address his slave as "sir". The universe is greater than the man, and it seems to know so. The man uses "sir" perhaps to address the universe with respect, and maybe even with fear. It does not matter to the universe wether you are alive or not, and maybe that compared to it, the existence of human is nothing. All in all, what this poem says to me is that the author clearly feels that the world that we live within is a cold one, and that it is apathetic to man and its inhabitants. I however, have different opinions regarding the universe that may or may not clash with the ones of the author's, but that's a whole other story. This poem, though, makes me wonder if the poet was an existentialist.
"Sir, I exist!"
"However", replied the universe
"The fact has not created in me
a sense of obligation."
As you read the poem, it's beautiful words will wash over you like a wave crashing over its sandy shore. However, it's not only the words that are striking. It's the meaning to those words. What does this poem mean? I think that it has to do with how the universe does not care about man nor his existence. The man shouts out to the universe that he's there- that he's alive- but the universe replies that it does not feel any "obligation" towards him. Obligation for what, though? I assume that it's an obligation to take care of the man, who represents the human race. Therefore, if my presumption is correct, we can assume that the universe in question is indeed a very hostile one, because of its lack in sense of obligation. To me, the poem put the words "cosmic indifference" in my head. The universe does not care about man, according to the poem, and is utterly indifferent about what it throws at you. It can rock a person to his or her core, and still give them the cold shoulder. And I note the use of the word "sir". It is evident to me that the man is below the universe in whatever ranking, because a master would never address his slave as "sir". The universe is greater than the man, and it seems to know so. The man uses "sir" perhaps to address the universe with respect, and maybe even with fear. It does not matter to the universe wether you are alive or not, and maybe that compared to it, the existence of human is nothing. All in all, what this poem says to me is that the author clearly feels that the world that we live within is a cold one, and that it is apathetic to man and its inhabitants. I however, have different opinions regarding the universe that may or may not clash with the ones of the author's, but that's a whole other story. This poem, though, makes me wonder if the poet was an existentialist.
So Existentialist, Existentialism... What Does it Mean?
Existentialism is "a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will." by the words of my computer's dictionary. In simpler, but slightly longer terms, "existentialism is a 20th century philosophy concerned with human existence, finding self, and the meaning of life through free will, choice, and personal responsibility. The belief that people are searching to find out who and what they are throughout life as they make choices based on their experiences, beliefs, and outlook without the help of laws, ethnic rules, or traditions. Existentialism then stresses that a person’s judgment is the determining factor for what is to be believed rather than by religious or secular world values." by the words of a yahoo.answers contributor named "Seth". To me, all existentialism seems to be is a theory from the 20th century, in which people try to find out who and what they are as an individual who is responsible for his or her own actions. So, an existentialist would be a person who practices existentialism.
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An Utopian Imprisonment
February 8, 2013
The Utopian prison I picture is a lot like a private school. The prisoners might as well be called "students" because they learn the basic human morals and etiquette and so on again. Just like school, there are different grades and levels, but they are not organized into age groups. They are organized into the level of the crimes committed. For example, if the charge was a minor act of vandalism, the "student's" classes would revolve around a certain set and level of basic laws, manners, and why their act is wrong and so on. If they were charged for something serious, they'd do one-on-one lessons and study the most basic, fundamental, primitive laws, rights, etiquette, morals, ethics and etc. They'd have homework and projects and tests as well. There are strict curfews, rules, and they must wear really ugly uniforms. There is also a mental hospital ward, where the patients who are people who need help live and are treated while taught.
It is run by the prisoners themselves. As well as their studies, they must clean up, do the dishes and laundry, take care of the electricity... It would build responsibility and teach them the importance of every individual working well in a community. However, things like cooking that require knives and dangerous items are prohibited. Their food is dropped with them on an aeroplane, and they have a stove, an oven, a kettle, a microwave, and a fridge to use. They are supervised of course, by cameras that are watched in a secret room that only the guards know the location. The guards also stand nearby, armed, in case an issue breaks out.
It is financed by partly the government, and partly the prisoners who pay taxes to go. If they do not have enough money, they serve for another six months on how to earn and manage money well. Their fee is payed by the government and the other prisoners must pay a tax to cover him or her.
It is located on a remote island, far from our society. That way, it would be harder for them to escape before they are released. They are transported there by plane, and must jump out with a parachute to land. If they don't jump, they are pushed off (death may occur for cowardice that was an effect of their crimes). They are guarded by armed civil workers 24/7, and are watched on TV monitors from a secret room inside or near the facility somewhere.
I believe that this system would be an improvement over ours at the present because it would be less cruel but more cruel at the same time. It would be super strict, but they would have proper conditions. And to be honest, most people probably wouldn't want to go back to school or sky dive or have to deal with all that responsibility. There is no death penalty, except for those who don't jump when they basically asked for it.
This is what it might look like:
The Utopian prison I picture is a lot like a private school. The prisoners might as well be called "students" because they learn the basic human morals and etiquette and so on again. Just like school, there are different grades and levels, but they are not organized into age groups. They are organized into the level of the crimes committed. For example, if the charge was a minor act of vandalism, the "student's" classes would revolve around a certain set and level of basic laws, manners, and why their act is wrong and so on. If they were charged for something serious, they'd do one-on-one lessons and study the most basic, fundamental, primitive laws, rights, etiquette, morals, ethics and etc. They'd have homework and projects and tests as well. There are strict curfews, rules, and they must wear really ugly uniforms. There is also a mental hospital ward, where the patients who are people who need help live and are treated while taught.
It is run by the prisoners themselves. As well as their studies, they must clean up, do the dishes and laundry, take care of the electricity... It would build responsibility and teach them the importance of every individual working well in a community. However, things like cooking that require knives and dangerous items are prohibited. Their food is dropped with them on an aeroplane, and they have a stove, an oven, a kettle, a microwave, and a fridge to use. They are supervised of course, by cameras that are watched in a secret room that only the guards know the location. The guards also stand nearby, armed, in case an issue breaks out.
It is financed by partly the government, and partly the prisoners who pay taxes to go. If they do not have enough money, they serve for another six months on how to earn and manage money well. Their fee is payed by the government and the other prisoners must pay a tax to cover him or her.
It is located on a remote island, far from our society. That way, it would be harder for them to escape before they are released. They are transported there by plane, and must jump out with a parachute to land. If they don't jump, they are pushed off (death may occur for cowardice that was an effect of their crimes). They are guarded by armed civil workers 24/7, and are watched on TV monitors from a secret room inside or near the facility somewhere.
I believe that this system would be an improvement over ours at the present because it would be less cruel but more cruel at the same time. It would be super strict, but they would have proper conditions. And to be honest, most people probably wouldn't want to go back to school or sky dive or have to deal with all that responsibility. There is no death penalty, except for those who don't jump when they basically asked for it.
This is what it might look like:
Main Hall
Classic, easy to monitor.
What it might look like from outside
Strict looking private school/college.
Dorms
So that they don't get too comfortable.
Classrooms
Just like a typical high school.
Dorms from a full aerial view
Circular, and open, and easy to monitor. No blinds on the windows.
The Matrix Reflection
February 25, 2013
This scene, with no doubt in mind, clearly shows us Neo's and Morpheus's existentialist outlook on life. For one, Neo says that he does not like the idea that he is not in control of his own life, which is why he dislikes the idea of fate. A typical existentialist might have given the same answer. Morpheus also speaks in an existential way. The part where he tells Neo that he understands how he feels shows us that he has the same thoughts as Neo. So far though, I think that they also believe that they have choices with impacts on their lives because of the Alice in Wonderland references they keep making. It's a very existentialist thing to think that every decision will impact you and the people around you. All in all, I think that Neo and Morpheus are both existentialist, even if they are conscious of it or not.
This scene, with no doubt in mind, clearly shows us Neo's and Morpheus's existentialist outlook on life. For one, Neo says that he does not like the idea that he is not in control of his own life, which is why he dislikes the idea of fate. A typical existentialist might have given the same answer. Morpheus also speaks in an existential way. The part where he tells Neo that he understands how he feels shows us that he has the same thoughts as Neo. So far though, I think that they also believe that they have choices with impacts on their lives because of the Alice in Wonderland references they keep making. It's a very existentialist thing to think that every decision will impact you and the people around you. All in all, I think that Neo and Morpheus are both existentialist, even if they are conscious of it or not.