Philosophically, do you agree? - LotusTalk

Moto44 · 10-06-2009, 03:27 PM

Thoreau wrote, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them."

It's been a quite a while since I created a useless poll.

milehitom · 10-06-2009, 03:41 PM

Most men can't sing.

Tom

antinym · 10-06-2009, 03:47 PM

I also don't think that people here qualify as 'average'.

apk919 · 10-06-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moto44

Thoreau wrote, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them."

It's been a quite a while since I created a useless poll.

Probably true in Thoreau's time. Today... I don't think so.

Moto44 · 10-06-2009, 04:07 PM

I also wonder how this statement may have become more true for women. Women often have to balance a work life with a home life in a way that has changed tremendously.

Moto44 · 10-06-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antinym

I also don't think that people here qualify as 'average'.

That's partly what interests me. Past polls have revealed that nearly 90% of the members here have owned a Lotus and our incomes are much higher than the national average.

Age of LotusTalk Members
Individual Income Poll (not household) of Lotus Owners

On average, we are a very accomplished group. Clearly most of us valued sports cars growing up and acheived this goal. But, how well does that relate to the question at hand? I don't know.

apk919 · 10-06-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moto44

...On average, we are a very accomplished group...

Hey Todd, have you heard about the survey where they asked (a theoretically random sample of) people whether they thought they were in the top 1% of wage earners? I believe ~19% of the people answered "yes".

Moto44 · 10-06-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apk919

Hey Todd, have you heard about the survey where they asked (a theoretically random sample of) people whether they thought they were in the top 1% of wage earners? I believe ~19% of the people answered "yes".

We all live in our own little deluded worlds, don't we?

apk919 · 10-06-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moto44

We all live in our own little deluded worlds, don't we?

Very true. But I do think that a certain amount of unbridled optimism is a prerequisite for accomplishing difficult goals...

lc_09 · 10-06-2009, 04:38 PM

hmm... I would say the answer is totally dependent on how one chooses to interpret the term "quiet desperation."

I tend to interpret that as meaning "unfulfilled childhood dreams"

I'm curious as to how you interpret that, Todd?

def · 10-06-2009, 04:44 PM

Moto44 · 10-06-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lc_09

I'm curious as to how you interpret that, Todd?

I don't mean to be evasive, but I truly think we all define it differently based on our own circumstances. Some may experience this as depression, while others may only relate to it as dissatisfaction.

ezmoney · 10-06-2009, 05:45 PM

Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
The time is gone, the song is over,
Thought I'd something more to say. Pink Floyd - Time

fitfan · 10-06-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lc_09

hmm... I would say the answer is totally dependent on how one chooses to interpret the term "quiet desperation."

I tend to interpret that as meaning "unfulfilled childhood dreams"

I'm curious as to how you interpret that, Todd?

Thoreau had a very consistant interest in self actualization / realization. So i would say thats what he meant here.

while you could be socialy 'sucesful" you could completly fail in self actaulization. in fact... it is very common - do what society requires of you, a life of chasing the 'things in life' and never reacing inside oneself to discover and act on your true nature and capacity. i believe personal unrealized potential is the song that is taken to the grave in that quote.

fitfan · 10-06-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apk919

Hey Todd, have you heard about the survey where they asked (a theoretically random sample of) people whether they thought they were in the top 1% of wage earners? I believe ~19% of the people answered "yes".

the 19% were probably correct that they are in the top 1% globaly

Rob T · 10-06-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apk919

Probably true in Thoreau's time. Today... I don't think so.

Exactly.

Cardinal · 10-06-2009, 06:45 PM

thetoast · 10-06-2009, 06:52 PM

Voted yes. The way I see it, the vast majority of people fit in one of two categories:

-Their ambition is bigger than their accomplishments, meaning they're not yet fulfilled
-They have accepted a lower rung in life than what they had previously imagined for themselves

Moto44 · 10-06-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apk919

Probably true in Thoreau's time. Today... I don't think so.

I'm not so sure that's true. Has life ever been more complex? Have the roles we are expected to fulfill ever been more uncertain?

At one time, if your father was a farmer, you learned to farm and likely became a farmer yourself. You had work to do and understood your role.

RENDERMAN · 10-06-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moto44

I'm not so sure that's true. Has life ever been more complex? Have the roles we are expected to fulfill ever been more uncertain?

At one time, if your father was a farmer, you learned to farm and likely became a farmer yourself. You had work to do and understood your role.

Life still simple in Africa.... BTW I'm taking my song to the grave, Jack!!

View Poll Results: Thoreau wrote, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave..."
Agree	38	66.67%
Disagree	9	15.79%
Not sure	10	17.54%
Voters: 57. You may not vote on this poll

10-06-2009, 03:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Moto44 Back in the Saddle Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,798	Philosophically, do you agree? Thoreau wrote, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." It's been a quite a while since I created a useless poll. __________________ If nobody ever died doing it, how much fun could it be?

10-06-2009, 04:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Moto44 Back in the Saddle Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,798	I also wonder how this statement may have become more true for women. Women often have to balance a work life with a home life in a way that has changed tremendously. __________________ If nobody ever died doing it, how much fun could it be?

10-06-2009, 04:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
lc_09 Tu Sei Tutta La Mia Vita! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 503	hmm... I would say the answer is totally dependent on how one chooses to interpret the term "quiet desperation." I tend to interpret that as meaning "unfulfilled childhood dreams" I'm curious as to how you interpret that, Todd? __________________ 2005 ST Elise Driver and Passenger Racing Harnesses • Stainless steel brake lines • Nitron Sport Coilovers • GUT rear spoiler • GUT front lip • Quicksilver Exhaust • PIAA Rims • Tinted Side Windows • Rear panel Delete • HID headlight upgrade • Black Diffuser • Alpine Deck (for now..will be adding JVC SatNav Deck) 2005 Ardent Red Lotus Elise • Touring Package- Stage II R.I.P.

10-06-2009, 04:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
def ...ault Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 2,609	__________________ //kevin - 05 Graphite Gray - Red Touring / LSS / Starshield / Stage 2 + more SOLD

10-06-2009, 03:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
milehitom Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,143	Most men can't sing. Tom

10-06-2009, 03:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
antinym The Doombringer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 656	I also don't think that people here qualify as 'average'.

10-06-2009, 05:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
ezmoney Right Wing Conspirator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,344	Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way The time is gone, the song is over, Thought I'd something more to say. Pink Floyd - Time __________________ “Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.” -Thomas Jefferson “With respect to the two words ‘general welfare,’ I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators.” -James Madison

10-06-2009, 06:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
Cardinal Ex and future Lotus owner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metro North Boston Posts: 4,031 Images: 8	__________________ the1sen: why move forward with design when you can recreate a monstrosity from the past?

10-06-2009, 06:52 PM	#18 (permalink)
thetoast Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 555	Voted yes. The way I see it, the vast majority of people fit in one of two categories: -Their ambition is bigger than their accomplishments, meaning they're not yet fulfilled -They have accepted a lower rung in life than what they had previously imagined for themselves

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