Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
A rather broad question rather than a small one: do you enjoy being embodied, feeling and doing stuff with your physical body in the real world?
For me, the answer is obvious – I would leave my body behind and not interact with the physical environment at all if I could. I just don’t feel any positive emotions moving around, being present, interacting with objects that aren’t a screen of some form. I never did for some reason, even as a kid.
It is strange because I’m a fairly healthy male in my late 20s without any disabilities, nor am I terribly out of shape (although I am slightly overweight due to working a sedentary job nowadays, but I had the same feeling even when I was at a normal weight), so I should theoretically be the prime demographic for enjoying bodily sensations. Some people have described intense physical activity to me as being inherently pleasurable – I’ve played my fair share of sports at the insistence of my parents as a teenager, and never felt anything other than irritation during and after training, so hearing others say it feels like listening to an alien describing the awesome parties of Alpha Centaura.
This sincere distaste for being embodied extends to a lot of aspects of life that most people tend to find enjoyable – I don’t care much for travel, tinkering with things or the physical side of sex either. I constantly find myself actively not wanting to go places or do things with my hands, and would probably be among the first to start living in some VRMMO full-time, Ready Player One style, once (okay, okay, “if”, let a man cope) it becomes an option.
Is this some fairly unique side-effect of the ‘tism that makes me miss out on universal human experiences, or do some of you feel that way as well?
No, I do not. I used to when I was younger. My circumstances are likely somewhat unique though. I have a hereditary condition that makes walking/standing difficult and painful. At best I use a cane, at worst a wheelchair. My hands still work ok, and I'm presently able to earn a living sitting at a desk with my hands and my brain, but the arthritis has begun to manifest as I age and at the end of a busy day of office work my hands are sometimes in considerable pain. My entire body hurts most of the time to be honest. Physical pain generally is a constant presence in my life, as is exhaustion. My cancer is currently in remission, though some recent tests were “concerning” so I’m off to the hospital again in a few days. I’m fortunate to have good insurance. Despite this I’m generally pretty happy most of the time. I’m regularly exposed to people who are worse off than me, and I meditate 1-2 hours a day. So, while I do very much enjoy existing, I’m not always the biggest fan of the vessel I’m embodied in. Fortunately, its temporary.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link