On the use of the word "passtime"

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ThamiorTheThinker
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On the use of the word "passtime"

Post by ThamiorTheThinker »

This isn't meant to be a well-substantiated idea, nor do I expect it to provoke an in-depth discussion. This is just a thought that floated around in my mind this morning that I wanted to share; let's see if anyone else has any thoughts on this, eh?

Passtimes, we all have them. Television, games and hobbies fill the void of emptiness that we all find in our daily lives. When, due to the agricultural revolution, homosapiens could afford using time to engage in activities other than foraging and moving about in search of game, our ancient ancestors devoted more time to art, religion, culture and family.

Our modern video game systems, computers, social media and hobbies are merely replications of the long-lived necessity to do something with the time we have, and not merely exist. My question is: why? Why is it not enough to merely exist?

These are not the only questions I seek answers to, but also, more vitally: Are we, subconsciously, treating our lives as though they are mere tracks toward death? To phrase the question in Heidegger's words, are we "being towards death"? Are we merely passing time to reach total annihilation, or do we find some intrinsic value in the activities we perform?

Again, I don't expect this to garner much of a response. Most of this is just nihilistic pie in the sky (or maybe the opposite?), so I don't expect an in-depth conversation. However, if one would be opened, that would be entertaining. : )
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LuckyR
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Re: On the use of the word "passtime"

Post by LuckyR »

ThamiorTheThinker wrote:This isn't meant to be a well-substantiated idea, nor do I expect it to provoke an in-depth discussion. This is just a thought that floated around in my mind this morning that I wanted to share; let's see if anyone else has any thoughts on this, eh?

Passtimes, we all have them. Television, games and hobbies fill the void of emptiness that we all find in our daily lives. When, due to the agricultural revolution, homosapiens could afford using time to engage in activities other than foraging and moving about in search of game, our ancient ancestors devoted more time to art, religion, culture and family.

Our modern video game systems, computers, social media and hobbies are merely replications of the long-lived necessity to do something with the time we have, and not merely exist. My question is: why? Why is it not enough to merely exist?

These are not the only questions I seek answers to, but also, more vitally: Are we, subconsciously, treating our lives as though they are mere tracks toward death? To phrase the question in Heidegger's words, are we "being towards death"? Are we merely passing time to reach total annihilation, or do we find some intrinsic value in the activities we perform?

Again, I don't expect this to garner much of a response. Most of this is just nihilistic pie in the sky (or maybe the opposite?), so I don't expect an in-depth conversation. However, if one would be opened, that would be entertaining. : )
Sorry I didn't answer sooner, I didn't see your thread.

No doubt, many are "ends" motivated while others can appreciate the "means". Myself, I can appreciate both. I have goals that I want to achieve and derive joy, happiness and satisfaction from meeting them. However I would be lying if I didn't also point out that there is value for me in the process, whether the final goal is ever accomplished or not.
"As usual... it depends."
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ThamiorTheThinker
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Re: On the use of the word "passtime"

Post by ThamiorTheThinker »

LuckyR wrote: Sorry I didn't answer sooner, I didn't see your thread.

No doubt, many are "ends" motivated while others can appreciate the "means". Myself, I can appreciate both. I have goals that I want to achieve and derive joy, happiness and satisfaction from meeting them. However I would be lying if I didn't also point out that there is value for me in the process, whether the final goal is ever accomplished or not.
Interesting point, LuckyR. So, you seek activities to fill your time with because they bring you joy and satisfaction, but they also serve the purpose of passing time?
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LuckyR
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Re: On the use of the word "passtime"

Post by LuckyR »

ThamiorTheThinker wrote:
LuckyR wrote: Sorry I didn't answer sooner, I didn't see your thread.

No doubt, many are "ends" motivated while others can appreciate the "means". Myself, I can appreciate both. I have goals that I want to achieve and derive joy, happiness and satisfaction from meeting them. However I would be lying if I didn't also point out that there is value for me in the process, whether the final goal is ever accomplished or not.
Interesting point, LuckyR. So, you seek activities to fill your time with because they bring you joy and satisfaction, but they also serve the purpose of passing time?
Let me give you an imperfect but perhaps illustrative example. At different times I worked on learning Spanish and French. For the Spanish I was learning it for work, so I was motivated to get to a particular level of fluency. As it happened our office hired an in house interpreter (instead of hiring outside ones), he was very personable and ended up becoming a friend of mine. I asked him a lot of questions about Latin culture and the Spanish language that went way beyond what I needed to know for work. It was a lot of fun for me and I achieved my goal for workplace Spanish proficiency. I got the joy of the ends and the means. OTOH, right around the time of a trip to Paris, my wife and I (separately) decided to learn French. I have no particular goal of becoming fluent. I am partially motivated to do something with my wife, I am partially motivated to prove to myself that I can learn conversational French outside of formal education or immersion and mostly because we find the cultural aspect of France to be interesting. To be honest, for various reasons (lack of urgency and laziness) I have not progressed very far on the acquisition of French, but I am having a blast on the journey.
"As usual... it depends."
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Felix
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Re: On the use of the word "passtime"

Post by Felix »

My question is: why? Why is it not enough to merely exist?
What do you mean by "merely exist"? How does someone who is "merely existing" live his life?
"We do not see things as they are; we see things as we are." - Anaïs Nin
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Burning ghost
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Re: On the use of the word "passtime"

Post by Burning ghost »

We learn however we engage. "Play" is often a safe way to learn.

Passtimes are ways of learning that are directly engaged with survival, but which can help with future survival.

I think your question is more a question of neccessity, need and want.
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ThamiorTheThinker
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Re: On the use of the word "passtime"

Post by ThamiorTheThinker »

LuckyR wrote:but I am having a blast on the journey.
As compelling as your story was, that last statement was all I needed. : ) Thanks for sharing. And yes, I see your point. The journey is constantly shown to be more important than the end goal.
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Skydude
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Re: On the use of the word "passtime"

Post by Skydude »

LuckyR wrote:
ThamiorTheThinker wrote: (Nested quote removed.)


Interesting point, LuckyR. So, you seek activities to fill your time with because they bring you joy and satisfaction, but they also serve the purpose of passing time?
Let me give you an imperfect but perhaps illustrative example. At different times I worked on learning Spanish and French. For the Spanish I was learning it for work, so I was motivated to get to a particular level of fluency. As it happened our office hired an in house interpreter (instead of hiring outside ones), he was very personable and ended up becoming a friend of mine. I asked him a lot of questions about Latin culture and the Spanish language that went way beyond what I needed to know for work. It was a lot of fun for me and I achieved my goal for workplace Spanish proficiency. I got the joy of the ends and the means. OTOH, right around the time of a trip to Paris, my wife and I (separately) decided to learn French. I have no particular goal of becoming fluent. I am partially motivated to do something with my wife, I am partially motivated to prove to myself that I can learn conversational French outside of formal education or immersion and mostly because we find the cultural aspect of France to be interesting. To be honest, for various reasons (lack of urgency and laziness) I have not progressed very far on the acquisition of French, but I am having a blast on the journey.

thats a nice way of putting it,we are fueled by the idea of self fulfillment and the promise of a happier existence. whatever your idea of happiness may be it seems that we still move toward these goals like moths to a flame.
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