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Culture War Roundup for the week of June 16, 2025

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Not the same guy, but

Why do you get out of bed in the morning?

I just do. "Meaning" focuses on me, me, me. It presupposes that if I believe something about the outside world, it will change the inner me, grant me motivation; the outside world would somehow be worth experiencing and interacting with. It puts me at the centre of the universe, but I'm not the main character on this planet. The world will still be there and I will still be there regardless of what I think.

What's true, though, is that your actions create meaning, not your thoughts about the meaning. You do stuff first, then you gain meaning, which is a roundabout way of saying that having connections to the world creates responsibility, which in turn creates meaning. Kids, for example, give you plenty of responsibility. You get up for them regardless of what you think about the meaning. Vice versa, living empty lives devoid of responsibility leads to thoughts about meaning.

Why do you want to build something?

I need something, so I want something, so I do something about it (which is the easiest way to want). I can also just want something, without external necessity, based on my life experience.

  • I need more money, so that I can create a better future for my kids, so I started a business.
  • I need a bigger house so that I can fit more kids into it. So I need more money, etc...
  • People I hired need to have a livelihood, so business needs to succeed, so I work hard to provide for them and for me.

There's no greater meaning to it. I want something, so I do something. If your wants have to be created by a meaning, you haven't been taught to want properly.