Reasons to be cheerful ?

Use this philosophy forum to discuss and debate general philosophy topics that don't fit into one of the other categories.

This forum is NOT for factual, informational or scientific questions about philosophy (e.g. "What year was Socrates born?"). Those kind of questions can be asked in the off-topic section.
Georgeanna
Posts: 436
Joined: October 29th, 2017, 1:17 pm

Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Georgeanna »

As an antidote to all the negativity, the violence we are hearing about via usual media outlets, I thought what about being more creative - taking a look at positive aspects of life and society ?

So, first reason to be cheerful...perhaps...

'Civic engagement is on the rise'.
What about ? Toilet gender issues ?

[ I found the reasonstobecheerful site after a google about prisons and rehabilitation, another thread. ]

I had another look to see if there were any other reasons to be cheerful, as a way to counterbalance a lot of recent hate-filled politics.
Of course, I still have politics on my mind, so my eye was drawn to this article. The writer is nonpartisan whose wish is to increase voters' knowledge about all candidates and to encourage voting with this in mind. It seems like a good idea - but how effective is it ?
During the 2016 presidential election, I went to Charlotte, North Carolina to do some get out the vote work. Granted, I could afford to do this on my own dime, and not everyone can go to a swing state. I determined that my work had to be nonpartisan. I wanted to help folks commit to voting and also to know a little bit about the records of the candidates who were running.

Charlotte is where the toilet gender issue blew up—I was not there because of that.

What’s interesting is how much weight and importance those cultural and social issues have for people. People will vote against their own best interests if they agree with a candidate on toilets, abortion, gay rights or prayer in schools, for example.

I carefully avoided engaging on those issues, mostly I just wanted folks to inform themselves and vote.

https://www.reasonstobecheerful.world/a ... n-8th-2018
Steve3007
Posts: 10339
Joined: June 15th, 2011, 5:53 pm

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Steve3007 »

Ian Dury famously gave us plenty of them. One of my favourite is:

Saying hokey-dokey, Sing Along With Smokey
Coming out of chokey

Wee Willie Harris too. He's still alive at 85. That's a reason to be cheerful.
Steve3007
Posts: 10339
Joined: June 15th, 2011, 5:53 pm

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Steve3007 »

Reasons to be cheerful, part 3:

That article you cited was written by David Byrne. His existence is also a reason to be cheerful.
Georgeanna
Posts: 436
Joined: October 29th, 2017, 1:17 pm

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Georgeanna »

To Steve3007

Yes, I remember the Dury song. You missed out being in the nuddy, wearing yellow socks, something nice to study ?!

What is it about David Byrne and Wee Willie Harris that cheers you up, other than their being alive ?
Georgeanna
Posts: 436
Joined: October 29th, 2017, 1:17 pm

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Georgeanna »

Dirty carrots.
Lentils.
Belinda's recipe for dal.
Steve3007
Posts: 10339
Joined: June 15th, 2011, 5:53 pm

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Steve3007 »

What is it about David Byrne and Wee Willie Harris that cheers you up, other than their being alive ?
David Byrne is artistically and visually interesting. Wee Willie Harris is just alive and still rocking at 85.
Georgeanna
Posts: 436
Joined: October 29th, 2017, 1:17 pm

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Georgeanna »

Steve3007 wrote: November 3rd, 2018, 12:14 pm
What is it about David Byrne and Wee Willie Harris that cheers you up, other than their being alive ?
David Byrne is artistically and visually interesting. Wee Willie Harris is just alive and still rocking at 85.
God, sometimes it's like pulling teeth with you :roll:
Hmmm...that might just be a reason to be cheerful...

Open wide...this won't hurt a bit.

Trust me, I'm a tree surgeon.
Alias
Posts: 3119
Joined: November 26th, 2011, 8:10 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Terry Pratchett

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Alias »

The larches are just turning gold. No way you can look at an autumn larch and not smile.

Strauss.

Nuthatches.

Fuzzy blankets.

Spinach.

That curse has finally come true: we live in interesting times.
Those who can induce you to believe absurdities can induce you to commit atrocities. - Voltaire
User avatar
LuckyR
Moderator
Posts: 7932
Joined: January 18th, 2015, 1:16 am

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by LuckyR »

Every minute of every day is a gift. The corollary to this idea is that no matter how bad you think things are, things are much worse for someone else.
"As usual... it depends."
Eduk
Posts: 2466
Joined: December 8th, 2016, 7:08 am
Favorite Philosopher: Socrates

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Eduk »

I read an article the other day which suggested people have a kind of happiness equilibrium and it doesn't really matter what happens to them (within reason) they will return to the same level of happiness over time.
So you should be happy if you are happy
Unknown means unknown.
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Burning ghost »

It appears most of the posts above don’t make me “cheerful” at all. I don’t find inane platitudes to be much use in philosophical discourse because they avoid problems and try and dress up difficulties as problems to be avoided rather than as challenges to be taken on.

So is my post “negative” or a I justified to call some of the posts above mine vapid?

Personally I think my post is a “positive” one because it is one that offers critique, doesn’t assert anything other than my opinion, and will hopefully be seen as stimulating an engaging discussion rather than sharing my whimsical thoughts and personal tastes as if they are somehow more significant than pressing societal changes and the constant shifting landscape of politcal discourse.

If none of that is fitting then, I love brie, walking allne in forests, staring at the moon, reading books and listening to people chat in languages I don’t understand ;)

(Sarcasm is the lowest form of humour apoarently :D)
AKA badgerjelly
Eduk
Posts: 2466
Joined: December 8th, 2016, 7:08 am
Favorite Philosopher: Socrates

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Eduk »

BG you don't like brie?
Unknown means unknown.
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Burning ghost »

I LOVE brie!
AKA badgerjelly
Eduk
Posts: 2466
Joined: December 8th, 2016, 7:08 am
Favorite Philosopher: Socrates

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Eduk »

oh good, carry on then :)
Unknown means unknown.
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: Reasons to be cheerful ?

Post by Burning ghost »

Perhaps we should start a cheese cult?
AKA badgerjelly
Post Reply

Return to “General Philosophy”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021