tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939915290794973654.post6673929953671049549..comments2024-03-08T14:23:31.503-05:00Comments on A Puff of Absurdity: On CharacterMarie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872774009526266579noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939915290794973654.post-36311068166878695882016-11-07T20:54:13.174-05:002016-11-07T20:54:13.174-05:00Just to add to The Mound's comment, Marie, I t...Just to add to The Mound's comment, Marie, I think the choice we have is the choice to either ignore the inner voice and go with the crowd, or listen to that voice and act appropriately, however we individually define that. I think the latter choice is the choice of character, because it is not necessarily the easy choice.Lornehttp://www.politicsanditsdiscontents.blogspot.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939915290794973654.post-78491983461346519082016-11-05T17:10:51.370-04:002016-11-05T17:10:51.370-04:00I reject the labels for these acts because I have ...I reject the labels for these acts because I have a problem with noble traits assigned to the basic will to live. I think we're remiss when we relegate esteem for acts that are anything but other-centred. It just feels wrong, like we're watering down what it means to have character until it no longer really exists.<br /><br />Being <i>reasonable</i>? Yes. I'll buy that. But being <i>strong and courageous</i>? Not so much. However, after going out for a walk and back, I think that just applies to me, or, that is to say, it can't be generalized. For some people it takes a huge amount of courage to carry on, just to live, to care about life. That comes effortless to me. I'm <i>driven</i> to survive. Not enough to work out, mind you, but enough to get preventative surgery. Marie Snyderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13872774009526266579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939915290794973654.post-10257381682239507012016-11-05T15:47:51.340-04:002016-11-05T15:47:51.340-04:00Marie, sorry to be a jerk but this is not the time...Marie, sorry to be a jerk but this is not the time for selling yourself short. Acting on good and powerfully rational reasons is much less commonplace than we try to make ourselves believe. If that was the standard, if only, try to imagine how the world today would be different than it is. <br /><br />We do what we do not because we're arrogant enough to believe that it will make much difference but because we hope it will make some slight difference. We hope it will bring a greater awareness, that tiny bit that, when added to all the other tiny bits, brings us closer to achieving the critical mass without which change is all but impossible. It's when we stop trying, when we give up that we're really screwed.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.com