Born alone, die alone, a horrible human condition.

[Lark]

Is that existentialism? I'm not sure I heard it said in Big Bang Theory and was wondering what it could have been a reference and if there's any recommended reads.

 

[Such Irony]

Can one be born alone and truly survive in this society? I suppose if the mother dies giving birth and no one takes over to care for the child. But how does a newborn child with no caregiver survive?

 

[Aesthete]

From what I understand, about seven people are born each second and about two people die each second, so I'm sure I'm not going into it alone.

It sounds like a form of pessimistic existentialism, or it might even be nihilism.

 

[UniqueMixture]

Close, but no cigar. It's about finding meaning and a purpose in a universe that is seemingly random chaotic and violent. It's the experience that imo poets capture best, namely that life can beautiful in spite.. nay is beautiful because of the loss and imperfection that is often tantamount to being human. Usually it's because it gives you such a great appreciation for the tiny miracles about you everyday.

the funny answer is: what about the kool-aid people?

 

[Ginkgo]

More like: Think you're alone, then grow to find you're not.

 

[sprinkles]

I concur that this sounds more like nihilism. People get the two confused, thanks to the writings of certain incomprehensible philosophers (I'm looking at you, Nietzsche)

 

[Wolfie]

I wouldn't call it nihilism. If you like stuff like that you might like Camus. If you're interested in existentialism I recommend Kierkegaard or Nietzsche.

 

[WALMART]

Everyone's born with their momma. I doubt a single one has been indifferent about the event.


Existentialism is a different breed of thought.

 

[Stanton Moore]

No one is 'born alone'.

 

[Unkindloving]

I view this in a sort of "alone in a crowded room" way whenever I hear something like it.
Surely you can be surrounded by people- strangers, friends, family, etc. However, you are the only person in your own head-space from birth until death. You are the only one to be in your world in the precise way that it is your world, and no one can ever truly meld with it exactly as you do.

Typically, the isolating part of quotes like these is the bit where people put so much stock into what they are surrounded with that they forget to become well-acquainted with themselves. It's a lonely time when you are not on your side, when you may not even know your side at all. How can anyone ever really properly integrate if we're all so far outside of ourselves? So, perhaps, when it comes times to die we can really be that devoid of another soul- even our own.

 

[Unkindloving]

I view this in a sort of "alone in a crowded room" way whenever I hear something like it.
Surely you can be surrounded by people- strangers, friends, family, etc. However, you are the only person in your own head-space from birth until death. You are the only one to be in your world in the precise way that it is your world, and no one can ever truly meld with it exactly as you do.

Typically, the isolating part of quotes like these is the bit where people put so much stock into what they are surrounded with that they forget to become well-acquainted with themselves. It's a lonely time when you are not on your side, when you may not even know your side at all. How can anyone ever really properly integrate if we're all so far outside of ourselves? So, perhaps, when it comes times to die we can really be that devoid of another soul- even our own.

 

[wildcat]

Is that existentialism? I'm not sure I heard it said in Big Bang Theory and was wondering what it could have been a reference and if there's any recommended reads.

What an odd statement.
If you are born alone, you die.

Born < bear.
Meaning: Carry over. Nurture, care.

What is born, is born.
Our thing.

Let the dead bury their dead.

 

[Fluffywolf]

Just some random thoughts.

Literally:

Unlike some animals, humans won't survive for very long alone after being born. So the phrase would only apply to a few 3 day old babies whos cognative abilities are to underdevelopped to make sense of the situation. Makes me wonder in what sense the condition is 'horrible'.

Perspectively:

Feeling lonely, feeling like you are born alone (no family ties, bad upbringing) and die alone (no friends, no one that cares about you.), then you have to wonder whose fault that really is. Humans are in most cases social creatures, even in the worst of scenario's, it is unlikely you won't be able to find anyone that cares unless you isolate yourself completely. If you isolate yourself completely, one has to wonder if that is perhaps what that person wants.

If you want to socialise, but isolate yourself, you'd have to be seriously masochistic.


If you don't care about socialising and isolate yourself, you have no friends of ties to other people. And end up dying in the process. Then there's nothing sad about that. It has clearly been that person's choice. Not every person is the same, some people truely enjoy being alone, living their lives on their own terms. You could say that that is actually something beautiful. If only everyone could live their lives on their own terms, what a potential paradise that could possibly be. (ofcourse that's not possible because indirectly, certain peoples way of lives will influence other peoples ways of life in a negative manner, making it impossible for everyone to live their lives on their own terms. But still, the idea is inspiring.)

 

[Eilonwy]

It's from a quote by Hunter S. Thompson:

“We are all alone, born alone, die alone, and — in spite of True Romance magazines — we shall all someday look back on our lives and see that, in spite of our company, we were alone the whole way. I do not say lonely — at least, not all the time — but essentially, and finally, alone. This is what makes your self-respect so important, and I don’t see how you can respect yourself if you must look in the hearts and minds of others for your happiness.”

 

[Totenkindly]

I think just the sheer fact we're not omniscient means that we each have a subjective view of life and in a sense that leaves an unbridgeable gap between us.

I will never ever see the world through another person's eyes the way they do, nor will I ever "be" them so that I can see the world exactly as they do, so I will never totally grasp them and who they are. There is part of them that will always be beyond me to sense or know... and vice versa.

To some people that's not a big deal, and they form attachment via other means and feel happy and comfortable and close to others because of that. For me, that has not been the case, based on how I work. I do feel like we are each "separate" (maybe that is a better way to say it, than the word "alone"?) and that can be lonely or not depending on one's mindset at the time.

But it's why some people do become absurdists or existentialists and others do not; we tend to gravitate toward worldviews that reflect who we already are and how we perceive things.

The discussion about "choosing to isolate oneself" is a different matter, to me. The type of "alone-ness" I am describing is not chosen but inherent based on one's perception of the universe, and even if you see the world that way, you can still choose to engage and love others. It just doesn't make the "alone-ness" go away.

 

[xisnotx]

I will never ever see the world through another person's eyes the way they do, nor will I ever "be" them so that I can see the world exactly as they do, so I will never totally grasp them and who they are. There is part of them that will always be beyond me to sense or know... and vice versa.

To some people that's not a big deal, and they form attachment via other means and feel happy and comfortable and close to others because of that. For me, that has not been the case, based on how I work. I do feel like we are each "separate" (maybe that is a better way to say it, than the word "alone"?) and that can be lonely or not depending on one's mindset at the time.

If the gap could be bridged, would you opt to do so?

Sometimes I think it's better that what I think is private to me.

After all, I can talk...but I don't have to.

 

[Totenkindly]

If the gap could be bridged, would you opt to do so?

Yes... although with care. I don't want anyone ravaging my private landscape.

Sometimes I think it's better that what I think is private to me.

After all, I can talk...but I don't have to.

Out of curiosity, what E variant do you identify as? I would expect Self-Pres to be much happier leaving that buffer there; but I've got a strong SX component to my psyche, and it impacts me negatively to not be able to bridge that gap, even if the SP aspect is wary. I want that depth of connection with people, I just don't want them to consume me or vice versa.

 

[swordpath]

So here I go again
We had our chance
half smile, you look my way
run now and some might say

"We all die alone."

And I’ll never forget what killed us
she screams to be alone
Going over it in my head
What’s left, what’s left to say

We all die alone.

Can we ever take back the nights
the nights we wasted on another fight
Does this really all end tonight
Does this really all end tonight
This is the rest
This is the rest of our lives (ALONE)
Can we ever take back the nights (ALONE)
Does this really all end tonight? (ALONE)

TAKE BACK OUR NIGHTS

 

[xisnotx]

Yes... although with care. I don't want anyone ravaging my private landscape.



Out of curiosity, what E variant do you identify as? I would expect Self-Pres to be much happier leaving that buffer there; but I've got a strong SX component to my psyche, and it impacts me negatively to not be able to bridge that gap, even if the SP aspect is wary. I want that depth of connection with people, I just don't want them to consume me or vice versa.

So/Sx/Sp last time I tested. (Which is contrary to <- that. I change, apparently.)
I wish I could say that I could somehow show someone who I was, who I am is largely what you see here, plus or minus a few things that I don't reveal...who'll I'll be though, that's something I can show someone.
The challenge would be explaining who I was in full. I don't see how...it's why I envy those who found someone when they were young, before they even knew themselves. An opportunity I'll never get.

What's true though is that unless that someone shows up soon, a whole lot of who I was will be lost to them. But you can't rush people either. I just trust it'll be as it was meant to be in the end.
Perhaps I'm naive. The gap always will be there for me. And, like you said, it can be lonely or not depending on your mindset.

Like, if somehow we controlled each others inner voice.

 

[Anew Leaf]

Yes... although with care. I don't want anyone ravaging my private landscape.



Out of curiosity, what E variant do you identify as? I would expect Self-Pres to be much happier leaving that buffer there; but I've got a strong SX component to my psyche, and it impacts me negatively to not be able to bridge that gap, even if the SP aspect is wary. I want that depth of connection with people, I just don't want them to consume me or vice versa.

I found this interesting because it's quite true for me. There is desire for a deep connection with others, and at the same time there is a fear of being too close. It's definitely a balancing act.