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AP fishing By: Chie Theresa Fujioka on 3/21/2002; 10:50 AM *Disclaimer: This is NOT a religious essay. If it were, it would border on the heretical. In fact this is just my general statement about the following question, along with a generic solution which does not detail my personal religious beliefs. Keep this in mind, since I can be lousy at expressing my opinion exactly* Question: Henry David Thoreau wrote, "Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish theyare after." In a well thought out essay, examine the accuracy of this aphorism in modern society. Concentrate on examples from your observations, reading, and experiences to develop your ideas. (AP Comp Practice test) The image of fishing brings deas of peace, stillness, and nature to mind. Although I have found the activity boring and unfrutful, Thoreau's aphorism strikes a resonant chord with my impresson of modern, and perhaps all, society (as I know it). The common example of money and the phrase, "If only I had (blank)" are overused to the point of meaninglessness, but the idea that a single idea or object could serve to satisfy, still plays a dominant role today. Certainly movies and books would get nowhere without the common theme of a search for happiness through something. Tragedy occurs when all is in vain. "I have a dream." What is it that makes the "fishing" so desirable to the man? I maintain that it is the process and the emotional result (pride, confidence, feelings of accomplishment, etc.) which make it so. In a way, this resembles a placebo effect. People are told, through every medium, the one thing or another will bring ease or happiness. Either they strive to achieve this, or give up in hopeless desperation. Our world, especially our capitalistic desires (which all political forms fall prey to), is fueled by some form of greed or self-serving. Whether the Holy Grail is the perfect successful job, a Martha Stewart museum-like home, popularity, affection and friendship, or any other "idol," the true object of desire remains unrecognized. True, these things all are worth something, but they are not worth everything. As the denominator approaches infinity, the whole approaches 0. True happiness is found only through a change in one's self through the process of life. I would not embarrass my friends by any specifics, but I sense that despite their claim to "know" otherwise, there is an underlying conviction that these idols CAN and WILL bring happiness. I believe this is where religion majorly influences humanity. By religion, I do not mean the specific worship of any divine entity, but rather a faith in the completely attainable (or given) from which the transitory elements of life can be observed more objectively. In my case, I believe it is God revealing himself to man. For Thoreau, it was something more transcendental. However, through this "religion," an individual's point of view is changed and made capable of happiness because the person is content. Like Thoreau at Walden, the introspective processof life, whether divinely revealed or not, is what gives humanity a firm basis for hope and thus, happiness. For, in the words of Our Lady Peace, "Happiness is not a fish that you can catch."
RE: AP fishing By: Adam Schirmacher on 3/24/2002; 3:17 AM The common example of money and the phrase, "If only I had (blank)" are overused to the point of meaninglessness, but the idea that a single idea or object could serve to satisfy, still plays a dominant role today. People don't love money because of the money itself, they love money because of what you can buy with it. People don't fill their houses with money itself, they fill their hosues with stuff bought with money. What is it that makes the "fishing" so desirable to the man? I maintain that it is the process and the emotional result (pride, confidence, feelings of accomplishment, etc.) which make it so. In a way, this resembles a placebo effect. People are told, through every medium, the one thing or another will bring ease or happiness. Either they strive to achieve this, or give up in hopeless desperation. Of course thats why they like it! Whether the Holy Grail is the perfect successful job, a Martha Stewart museum-like home, popularity, affection and friendship, or any other "idol," the true object of desire remains unrecognized. Of course they bring happiness. In my own words, I think the reason they will make you happy is because you won't ever have them perfected. The grass is always greener. No-I don't mean on the other side. Metaphorically, people tend to think the grass can always be greener. In the words of your man of chaos (me): "Happiness is a fish that you can't catch."
RE: AP fishing By: Chie Theresa Fujioka on 3/24/2002; 7:01 AM Adam wrote:People don't love money because of the money itself, they love money because of what you can buy with it. People don't fill their houses with money itself, they fill their hosues with stuff bought with money. My point isnt about people loving money. It's what they strive to achieve with it. I.e. happiness Of course they bring happiness. In my own words, I think the reason they will make you happy is because you won't ever have them perfected. The grass is always greener. No-I don't mean on the other side. Metaphorically, people tend to think the grass can always be greener. I disagree. nothing material can bring happiness.
RE: AP fishing By: Adam Schirmacher on 3/24/2002; 1:18 PM Don't disagree when you don't. I said they make you happy but you'll never have the "idol" as you called it. But some things material do make you happy. If what you mean is that they will never get you to your nirvana, you should say so. In my reply, that's how I used it.
RE: AP fishing By: Brian Carnell on 3/24/2002; 3:30 PM At 05:37 AM 3/24/2002 -0500, Chie wrote: >I disagree. nothing material can bring happiness. I have to disagree. Banana splits bring me incredible happiness and joy.
RE: AP fishing By: Adam Schirmacher on 3/24/2002; 4:40 PM Hahaha...
RE: AP fishing By: Chie Theresa Fujioka on 3/26/2002; 6:39 AM Ok, I guess I misunderstood your wording. But I do mean this, that true lasting happiness can't come from something material. And pondering the hypothetical won't prove me wrong, since that isn't going to happen. For me, happy isn't just the top of the rollercoaster, it's the sustained happiness. But sorry I wasn't explicit enough... I'll remember that next time I write something like this. Don't want any lawyers chasing me down (;
RE: AP fishing By: D. J. Dixon on 9/19/2005; 9:37 PM The pursuit of happiness is often not about happiness but the pursuit itself. I think for some that's what many outdoor activities revolve around. It is almost literally "chop wood, carry water". Your essay begs the next question; why do we pursue these activities? I would agree that it is within the makeup of man to climb the highest mountain, to attain the highest level. Sometimes it's just because no one has done it before. There is some value in the pioneering spirit. In 2005 there remains very little that has not been accomplished and that which has say within the last 20 years has been increemntal at best. To ask "Why does bob go fishing all the time" The answe is simple. Estranged labor. Wporking under Marx's premise of estranged labor(and I'm paraphrasing here) the more the worker is immersed into his working life the less he becomes involved in his own inner life. As a result he begins to actively seek out new and different distractions to take his mind off of the fact that he doesn't just have a job; He becomes his job. In this case man is not self-actualized. He is made into a living extension of the very labor which is meant to help support him. His choices are ever dwindling. Do I invest more and more of myself into my job or do I save some for my leisure time?(maybe if dont enough of myself to my job I'll lose it.) Leisure time itself becomes a liability because the natural extension of estranged labor is simply that the worker cannot help but think of his job even when not working! The worker is estranged from his own life. The act of fishing becomes a metaphor for reconnecting with the spiritual.
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