Egoism VS Altruism: A Battle Between Paradigms

qptyqpty

Active Member
I dont do this very often, because I usually research anything I am interested in knowing about, however, I need human involvement this time. So, being high, lets see what I can come up with on the spot.

Times are uncertain. Economically, Environmentally, Politically, Psychologically... yeah, you know what I am talking about. I have kept my head in research for the last 3-5 years on current events, geology, astronomy, politics, trade markets, peak oil, space research, government spending, unemployment, et al... it is all leading downward, and it gets more rapid every day. I am meagerly prepared as far as equipment and stores go, but both my significant other and I have valuable survival skills which others in my area most likely do not have. Most valuable of course, is the knowledge of the surrounding 30 counties topographical features, where there are some caves, fresh water far from the polluting cities... I have spent years hiking and traveling my area for fun and fitness, and now possibly survival.

I am a doomer. Unfortunately, God gave me a brain to think with, and there was a point I asked, as a belligerent young man, for truth, knowledge, and understanding of everything around me; that which is connected through Kymatica and those connected spiritually. Damn I got a lot more than I bargained for, because I find my old self being completely replaced with a truly understanding person. I thirst for knowledge and wisdom, and for that is the definition of a Philosopher, as according to Plato. As defined by Princeton: philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics. Interesting. So therefore, I am most assuredly a philosopher.

Too bad these days that doesnt amount to a hill of beans. I talk to people, it is my strong point. I am able to get difficult points across in an easy to understand manner. I can explain, even to stoned pot-heads how particular items work, such as a photovoltaic cell, or a magneto. I can line up pvc in my head rather quickly, rough cut, and have a finished fit for my plants, no problem. I taught myself algebra in 2 weekends. I can absorb information like a sham-wow. I can disseminate it like the Sirens of Odysseus.

But here is the thing.... its a battle between my Altruist and Egoist sides. You see, I have the innate ability to fully analyze my past and present in all its glorious detail. I know that I have a dominant Egoist side given to me by my fathers entire side of the family. The very first thing that is important to me is ME. ME includes myself, my immediate family, and whatever I deem important. If a friend is with me at the time, that counts as ME. As far as personally, I dont give a flying fuck about anyone else's existence, except how they can benefit my continued survival. Through bartering, market-purchasing, stealing, full out assaulting, whatever the case may be when we are outside the wire, teotwawki type environment, whatever it takes for my survival is the name of the game.

Be Polite, Be Professional, But Be Prepared To Kill.

Then I have the Altruist side of me. I care too much about people. When I was a kid my dad didnt always give me lunch money, but when I did have lunch money I usually gave it to the kids who couldnt afford a lunch ever. We didnt have a free lunch program then. I served in the military because I felt I was headed in a wrong direction in life, and so I could be a part of something better. I have volunteered for many organizations throughout my life. I have donated blood and plasma regularly (til last time I went to Europe), and I even donate money on my electric bill for those who need assistance. Im not bragging, I just want you to see the two opposing sides of me.

I have been a modern age Paul Revere here lately, and I am starting to see red-flags popping up more each day. Im not in GTFO mode, but there is some alarming shit going on. One that makes me start this thread, the fact that I like talking to people, and after 3 years of babbling to belligerent people who refuse to believe hard data, FINALLY it is almost like 9 out of 10 people understand what is going on, do not like it, agree with me, yet still do nothing. I give people a lot of information, with the hopes that I have planted a seed. Whether or not they take root, I have never really cared. If they are truly inquisitive and want to make a difference, they WILL seek and find the truth and they might make a difference. I expect that only 1 in 100 actually does anything.

With the battle swinging like a pendulum to either side, back and forth, I remain mostly in the middle of the vertex. I am altruist to the extent that I will always want to help others and sacrifice my comfort or needs for others, but if it were between "me and you" I will ALWAYS choose ME.

I am at the point where I have decided I might no longer post on the internet, or speak openly about anything because though it feels good to tell people about the shit that is about to hit them, they most likely wont do shit, and for lack of a better word they are competitors. Know what I mean?

Its been good knowing civilized society, but when the bands of Honesty, Justice, and Personal Freedom come off this casket, the whole rotten, slimy contents are going to burst out under pressure.


What do I do? Security tells me to shut the hell up, too bad for everyone else, they should have listened. Courage tells me I can still do something, no matter how futile. Wisdom tells me to shut up, be content in my obscurity. Ambition tells me to try local politics (and have support) But sense tells me theres not enough time left.

So, being that I try to be for the people, I might ask this (in several places mind you, not just here) of the people...

Should I continue giving people information whether they take heed or not, or should I keep to myself and go on?
 

BigTitLvr

Well-Known Member
Almost every religion and society has a version of what is known as The Golden Rule: "Do onto others as you would have done to you."

Your "selfish genes" will always preserve your own life. But your evolved sense of altruism feels for others. So you 'have' to warn your fellowman of perceived dangers. You have no choice or you will regret it later. Those are all the signs of a good soul and a working conscience.

Unfortunately, the U.S. is fucked. (I don't know where you are.) There are enough sociopaths (persons without conscience) in positions of authority. They are lured by money and power. Speak out and they will target you. That's why cannabis is still illegal: the citizens are too scared of the government to voice themselves too loudly. It is the exact opposite of our founding father's intention: that the ruling class should fear the people. But it was bound to happen; given enough time, the lawyers have perverted the law to favor only the rich. The government = the richest people in the land. And what they want goes.

These days, taking care of yourself and your family are about all you can do. It takes serious wealth (=power) to affect policy which will aid the average man. And to get to that level, you damn near have to sell your soul.

I too feel for the masses about to feel the true meaning of loss and slavery. It's coming. The wealthy elite in power care nothing for us "eaters". Good luck switching off your humanity.
 

swishatwista

Well-Known Member
Although those seeds maynot have sown, i believe they exist. All they need is the sun. Times seem dark, while they struggle to pull the cover over the sky, or drag their nets hoping to uproot us, but i hold deep in muddy water. hold my feet, im going in..
 

Woodstock.Hippie

New Member
IT is good to begin preparations yesterday, as these questions are best answered before the flash.

What is the most valuable book you can carry?

Ever shock the shit out of anything with a Tesla coil?

[youtube]C1BblypzQNE[/youtube]
[youtube]e7ixKWmYux8[/youtube][youtube]EH17nt1FEbs[/youtube]

Marauding Zombies Are Real!!!
[youtube]pZjH2LFFdpY[/youtube]
"
Much ado is all I see
in fact it is surrounding me
the seething crowd intrudes all day
'til finally I'm swept away

although I thought my roots were deep
I sank them into hillsides steep
and riverbanks that soon erode
near canyons that have overflowed

"

You gotta love even your imperfect step kids as they learn, even if they are a little weird cause they all have hearts groovy as phuck and don't even know IT yet.

Besides, he tries much harder than I and I to smell nice.

Hippie Tip:

We cannot reveal how we disguised the hyperlink below.

Shut Up And Vote
:hump:
:peace:
 

Jack in the Bud

Active Member
qpty,

Just from the way you phrased the question I'd have to suspect that you may have made the mistake of letting the "Morality of Altruism" define some of your terms for you (especially terms like Egoism and selfishness). There's a little book out there called "The Virtue of Selfishness" that you might find helpful in learning how to look at these things differently. You probably won't find everything in that book to your liking at first reading but I'm dam sure you'll find it intriguing and interesting since you're obviously already thinking about these things.

Personally I try to maintain a policy of "Rational Self Interest" at all times and in all things.

Jack

"Serfs Up! Beat the plowshares back into swords."
 

qptyqpty

Active Member
Wow, thats pretty good. Insightful. Bam! +Rep.

I had to read the article and then go over it again to fully understand it but that gives me a better perspective. My ethics class was at a technical school, so it didnt really go too in depth, but I was ahead in the class because I was interested. I will have to read through this book, wonder if I can find it in a PDF.

Wait a minute... Ayn Rand !


Grand.

Well, as someone who clearly understands where I am coming from in my dilemma, you still count as the public, what do you think? I guess this text validates me if I decide to say to hell with others, it is more beneficial to my survival to sit quiet, bug out when the time comes, and get at it. I regret to say I am leaning in that direction. I feel the best method is to wait til we see trigger events, hit your pre-determined rendezvous point and alert family members to meet if possible, and set up a temporary shelter in as inconspicuous a manner as possible. Gotta keep an eye out and a portable hand powered radio is a must. Post what security you are able, which is an exhausting task. The more people who are working together the better. If you think you are mr survival and you can run into national forest areas and gruel it out, you most likely wont last that long. You need to rely on the unique skills inherent in others, not to mention moral support.

As a board, you guys are a sense of moral support in a different area of like minded individuals. Who knows the people behind the avatars, but know this we could be anyone. I think marijuana smokers represent an extra large majority of the United States, believe it or not. If there were a real, national poll that polled 30,000,000 people, equally across all states, I believe 100% that you would find that 65% or more have smoked weed/smoke weed/or would smoke it if it was legal. I do work with figures as well, so I have a good idea, but not definitive. I would love to see an actual poll that polled 30mil instead of just 100 or 1,250 people. You can get tand social sites across america, gathering signatures on a secure form to submit to each individual representatives district via email automatically.... man this is just an on the spot idea. I mean, I think it could be done very simply using FLASH. A virtual clipboard that users can use that stupis pencil to draw in their virtual signature (which would never look completely like their actual signature by mature of the program) and thus offer a small degree of comfort in signing a marijuana legalization poll document

Sometimes the folks on the board can get downright childish, but I want to thank you guys for always having insightful followups rather than banter. =)
 

qptyqpty

Active Member
Here is a prime example of why one should not help others:

Police: Armed Man Prepared for "Armageddon"

Keep in mind I think that is an excessive weapons cache but certain people I know personally (not including myself of course) could do much much more damage than that guy with only three weapons platforms. On top of that, LEGAL to the Nth degree (as "they" have made sure to exceed all requirements) unlike this poor fellow in the Live "Free" or Die state.

Of course, there is the who-you-tell factor of which I was posting previously, and the more people in the community and surround that know I am prepared/preparing for the future, the more that could target ME.

Please note: there are many more people around the country JUST LIKE THIS GUY. Does he scare me? Not at all. I think he is wise to prepare but there is more to preparing for an uncertain future than stockpiling weapons. Of course the media is going to tear into stories like these, to incite fears and try to convince us they need even tighter a grip on society. I honestly do not know how much further the powers that be can take this, we really are reaching a breaking point.

Case in point, I know there are only two reasons the cops would be banging on my door. So at this point, when I hear that knock, its only two choices, both of which I have already made plans.
 
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