by A.T. Meininger

Created on: October 24, 2009

For some it is, and others not. An unexamined life isn't worth living. The raw intelligence and knowledge that can be gained from knowing one's self, history, relationships, labor, and joy is something that makes a human real. Some lives are worth living and others aren't. Without a sense of self, living is a routine that is just something to do. What, then, makes you other than a robot? Robots do not live, they are automated slaves. In a dream world of B.F. Skinner we would all be this way.

A child has a natural curiosity for the outside world. They seek out the unexplained and love the world. They live with untainted souls. They have vivid imaginations and wonderful dreams. The adult world of responsibility had not yet been cast upon them, so they have complete imaginative freedom.

An adult has worry as their forethought. Fear controls humans, as it does all animals. Most humans these days never have to worry about natural fears such as food shortage, animal attacks, drought, or poison as the animals do. They have other adults in positions of power manufacture fears to control them. The news is very good at scaring a population of crack cocaine, gang warfare, autism, school shootings, violent video games, pedophiles, plane crashes, car crashes, inflation, the price of gas, credit card fraud, and the list goes on. The religions will teach that unless an individual submits their mind to their leader's dogma, a life after this one will be complete horror. "Normal social behavior" will keep people afraid to asserti their individuality towards their neighbors.

Aside from the fact that adults have almost complete control over how to raise their children, the children are much more free than adults. The adults are slaves to their own fears, but masters over children.

So much of my life has gone into programming. I have been programmed into being a robot from the beginning of my life. The public education, my parents, television, and organized religion are the biggest culprits, although many others have brought about this affect. My main joy is that of unlearning. What programmed fears have I that are unnecessary and useless? What childlike splendor could I add into my life? How do I align myself with friends that also seek this? These are the great questions I must know so that I may truly live the life most worth living.

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