the meaning of life - Writers Forum

Ilan Bouchard · 12-06-2004, 02:55 PM

I'm currently writing a story between two sperm who discuss the meaning of life (yes I know sperm wouldn't be able to do that - use your imagination). While I could spend a lot of research on professional and philosophical thinkings, I'm more interested in the general public's point of view. You can incorporate religion, but I don't want this to turn into a discussion where people argue their point of athiesm or belief in God. Also, reasoning as to why you believe this would be helpful, it makes it easier to use their idea.

Anyone feel like providing what they consider "the meaning of life," if they believe in such a thing?

Also a technical question: Would using people's belief in such a situation in a story be considered plagiarism?

stereomuse · 12-06-2004, 03:15 PM

I came to this conclusion a while ago, and I'm being completely honest, and this has no sexual relivence but i think the meaning of life is to reproduce.

I think so becaue when you look at any living thing, it reproduces. When animals have babies, plants have seeds, and even cells reproduce.

mammamaia · 12-07-2004, 08:19 AM

while reproduction is surely the main 'goal' of life in the physical sense, i don't think that's what people consider a 'meaning'... the term refers more to the philosophical/spiritual [not religious, necessarily] than the physical impetus in sentient beings and other forms of life...

in the supposedly non-sentient, it's instinctive and not 'thought about' but just acted upon naturally... while in humans, such things are agonized over, pontificated upon, and proselytized into the ground by this and that religious figure...

so, 'the meaning of life' is not the same for all of us, as is the 'goal'... even if some choose not to reproduce, we're all designed to do so, despite flaws that occur in some models, rendering them incapable of carrying out their designer's plan...

ilan... do you want to know what people think is the overall 'meaning' of all life?... of just of human life?... or their personal idea of 'meaning' in re their own individual life?... there's a big difference, don't you think?...

as for worrying about plagiarism, don't!... plagiarism only applies to written work, not someone's 'beliefs'... don't quote anyone's words exactly, just paraphrase the content, and you'll be on safe ground... if you do want to quote something verbatim, ask for permission and get it in writing and then attribute the quote properly, and you'll be covered...

hope this helps some... love and hugs, maia

ps: for some of my out-of-the-ordinary ideas on the meaning of life, browse the work on my site!... any of it can be quoted freely, as long as you attribute it to me... m

Ilan Bouchard · 12-07-2004, 09:50 AM

Ok, thank you both. I'm not looking for a particular type of responce in particular, just the responce you get when you hear that question. So I'm not picky, answer any way you feel is necessary. Thanks.

Thanks for answering my question on plagiarism.

Rkay · 12-07-2004, 04:04 PM

Sperm.....

On the nature of them things....

Only one will survive and even then there is a possibility that none will, that having been recorded to happen

I would sense a competitive air between the two as they converse
how very "male"

the ultimate glory of that final connection and the agony of defeat dissipating into the world of "forgotten"

one will live to tell the tale and somewhere, sometime that race is perpetuated the world over

reproduction, yes.... mechanical.... very much so.... is there a hidden, deeper, more profound meaning to the sperm's lifespan - resembling tadpoles wasted between a boy's fingers.... unsure hope in the recesses of the beloved's cavernous sheath..... so shallow, so fleeting, so rank in it's spoiling

you may have found a metaphor for life the way many of us live it....
so much promise but too short lived and often meaningless.....

creative ideas, or ideas by themselves cannot be plagiarised.....
now if you use any of the phrases or copied what I wrote word for word just above that would be plagiarism.....

i presume the basic premise is the protection of intellectual property points to the manner in which an idea was articulated.... the right to copies of these belong to the copyright owner..... so if you say it in your own way there should be no copyright infringement.... but seek a more professional opinion on the nuances of where the line is crossed....

have fun!

Emma LB · 12-10-2004, 02:25 PM

Ok, my view:

there is no meaning to life, that is we just exist and have to give our lives are own meaning. To reproduce is what our nature tells us to do maybe, but if you'd rather do something else with your life and give it meaning that way then you can do that too.

Hand · 12-12-2004, 07:39 AM

Homer: That's what I've been saying all along; it's just a bunch of stuff that happens!

The meaning of life is to breed and die. Rocks, for example, are not considered to be living things as they do not reproduce, and they exist forever in one form or another.

playstation60 · 12-17-2004, 12:57 PM

I believe that the meaning, or point to life, is to find a meaning for YOUR life. Every person is unique, the see differently than the next, learn differently, etc....so their meaning for life will be different. Everything is relative.

Ben

Rajie · 12-17-2004, 03:32 PM

The meaning of life? Umm, well, it depends (as most have said) on that particular person. I think Ozzy Osborne said something to this extent (from my very bad paraphrasing, and memory): "When you finally figure out the meaning of life, it's too late because... you're dead!"

I also think (that at least where I'm from) a person's career can be their "meaning" or "call" to life (provided that they selected their career). For example, a medical doctor might find the meaning in his/her life by saving or helping others. A lawyer, as well, could find the "meaning of life" by helping innocence either by setting them free or putting the person in jail. So obviously, most people would find the meaning of life revolving around helping other people, unless, of course, you're a Schizoid or something... Having a cause or a need that requires you and that you believe in is, to many, the meaning of life.

I think that is why through the many ages people (esp the poor or downtrodden) have gravitated toward a religion. B/c it gave their often time miserable lives a "meaning" or a "reason" to keep on living (b/c if they hadn't had one, what is the point of living?). Like, in many Asian countries where the people are pushed into a certain career (or so I read) they generally turn to the "spiritual" side of life to fulfill them where their jobs could not (dunno how much of that is true, but the same is valid in the US at least when people are suffering, some turn to religion or God to give them at least a "meaning" or a "reason" to live).

The "point of life," however, is to reproduce.