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On June 20 2012 14:28 Azera wrote:Show nested quote +On June 20 2012 11:56 sam!zdat wrote: Yes, philosophy is not "useful." Philosophy is what lets you think about what "usefulness" is in the first place.
Most people do not consider this question at all. (edit: And they usually become defensive when you ask, so philosophy will not make you any friends, that's for sure.)
edit again: The truth is, though, the main function of college is to put you in debt, so that you have to find a way to pay it off - this is what makes employment always a sellers market. So for most people, college is less than useless. Hmm, the whole college debt business isn't really relevant for me.
This is "privilege." It is one that we share. You should, however, think very carefully about what it means.
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On June 20 2012 17:57 sam!zdat wrote:Show nested quote +On June 20 2012 14:28 Azera wrote:On June 20 2012 11:56 sam!zdat wrote: Yes, philosophy is not "useful." Philosophy is what lets you think about what "usefulness" is in the first place.
Most people do not consider this question at all. (edit: And they usually become defensive when you ask, so philosophy will not make you any friends, that's for sure.)
edit again: The truth is, though, the main function of college is to put you in debt, so that you have to find a way to pay it off - this is what makes employment always a sellers market. So for most people, college is less than useless. Hmm, the whole college debt business isn't really relevant for me. This is "privilege." It is one that we share. You should, however, think very carefully about what it means.
I don't quite get what you mean =(
I just remembered about sociobiology, I believe you gave me a brief introduction on what it was in one of my previous blogs. I still have your words in a notebook. Is sociobiology useful in getting a ritzy baller job? Is it a major?
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What does it mean that you get to go to college and learn whatever you want and not have any debt, and for most people this is not the case?
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On June 21 2012 00:04 sam!zdat wrote: What does it mean that you get to go to college and learn whatever you want and not have any debt, and for most people this is not the case?
Yeah I got that, but what exactly was I supposed to think carefully about? Are you trying to tell me that I should appreciate what I have and that I should make full use of it?
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Oh, that's up to you. I'm just saying it's a state of affairs that requires careful thought.
for myself, I would like to transform privilege into justice.
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How would you go about doing that?
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good question 
Right now, I am just trying to learn as many things as I can so that I can increase my understanding of the world, and hopefully pass on some of that understanding to others.
Also, trying not to be part of the problem. Removing myself from the capitalist metabolism of pointless consumption.
The biggest problem that we face is that we are stuck in a culture that has lost the ability to dream about a better future. Changing that is the first step.
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So here's my advice. Nobody else will give you this advice. It is probably very dangerous advice.
Don't think about what things are useful. Study the things that you feel deserve to be studied. Almost everything that almost everybody does is almost completely useless. Your family has money - why do you need to make any more? Live modestly and seek to understand reality. The things in this world that are truly valuable are not so because of their exchange value; they are things that cannot be exchanged.
Don't ask "why?" Ask "Why not?"
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Hong Kong9154 Posts
On June 19 2012 21:25 Azera wrote:
- I will be captain of my school's first ever debate team and we will be competing in a national competition. I haven't been debating for a very long time and I don't even know where to start or begin to prepare for this.
What format? Lots of people from that community, at least in the United States, including me, are on TL.
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On June 22 2012 06:44 sam!zdat wrote: So here's my advice. Nobody else will give you this advice. It is probably very dangerous advice.
Don't think about what things are useful. Study the things that you feel deserve to be studied. Almost everything that almost everybody does is almost completely useless. Your family has money - why do you need to make any more? Live modestly and seek to understand reality. The things in this world that are truly valuable are not so because of their exchange value; they are things that cannot be exchanged.
Don't ask "why?" Ask "Why not?"
That's what I' doing right now - in a way. ^_^
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On June 22 2012 06:49 itsjustatank wrote:Show nested quote +On June 19 2012 21:25 Azera wrote:
- I will be captain of my school's first ever debate team and we will be competing in a national competition. I haven't been debating for a very long time and I don't even know where to start or begin to prepare for this.
What format? Lots of people from that community, at least in the United States, including me, are on TL.
Format is unknown at the moment. But I think there will be 4 speakers
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On June 22 2012 13:59 TORTOISE wrote: deleted
Aww, why?
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Hong Kong9154 Posts
On June 22 2012 09:46 Azera wrote:Show nested quote +On June 22 2012 06:49 itsjustatank wrote:On June 19 2012 21:25 Azera wrote:
- I will be captain of my school's first ever debate team and we will be competing in a national competition. I haven't been debating for a very long time and I don't even know where to start or begin to prepare for this.
What format? Lots of people from that community, at least in the United States, including me, are on TL. Format is unknown at the moment. But I think there will be 4 speakers
Keep us posted, if it's policy I can help.
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On June 22 2012 14:29 itsjustatank wrote:Show nested quote +On June 22 2012 09:46 Azera wrote:On June 22 2012 06:49 itsjustatank wrote:On June 19 2012 21:25 Azera wrote:
- I will be captain of my school's first ever debate team and we will be competing in a national competition. I haven't been debating for a very long time and I don't even know where to start or begin to prepare for this.
What format? Lots of people from that community, at least in the United States, including me, are on TL. Format is unknown at the moment. But I think there will be 4 speakers Keep us posted, if it's policy I can help.
Sure, thanks!
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You know things are not in an ideal state when a person thinks something might be wrong with them because they are happy.
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TLADT24920 Posts
OP, there is nothing with not stressing out about what's going on. Just take it easy and as mentioned study what you want to study. If you want to do law or study philosophy, do it. So many people study something that they don't want because they are considering the financial aspect and in the majors you listed, you can still make an income either way.
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On June 23 2012 23:59 Sarasin wrote: You know things are not in an ideal state when a person thinks something might be wrong with them because they are happy.
Exactly, I don't understand why some people need a reason to be happy. Just be happy.
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Because that would be ignorance.
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