March 11, 2002

  • Big Questions


    I was listening to NPR yesterday (I admit it, almost anytime I'm in the van I'm listening to Public Radio - it's one of my 101 addictions) and I heard an interview with author, Robert Sawyer.  The subject was science fiction and what sets it apart from other genre fiction. 


    Science fiction authors explore the "big" questions.  Mr. Sawyer commented that most people don't ever think or talk about the "big" questions outside of the one hour a week that some of us go to some type of religious service.  "Who are we?  What does it mean to be human?  Where do we come from?  What constitutes ethical behavior?  Where does God fit into the picture?  Is there such a thing as a soul?  Is the outlook for the future positive or negative?" 


    I was astonished.  I talk about those things all the time.  I'm under no illusion that I have the final answer to any of them, but I'm fascinated by the process of searching for the answers.  So what does that say about me?  Is my preoccupation with these questions abnormal?  Am I so different from everyone else? 


    Then, I wondered, who are these "most people" that he's talking about.  I don't think I've ever met one of that group.  My circle of friends in the real world isn't that wide, so maybe I've unconsciously chosen to form relationships with members of the thinking fringe.  But, none of my friends here on Xanga fall outside the thinking category either, and there are a lot of you.  We all talk about the big questions all the time.  I don't read every site on Xanga by a LONG shot.  So maybe the SIR are just a little eddy in the river that has collected all the thin minority of people who think. 


    But, maybe not.  Maybe, Mr. Sawyer doesn't realize that at the bottom of every conversation a "BIG" question lurks, waiting for the opportunity to raise its head and scare us like the monster from the swamp. 


    Yesterday, I wrote a few words about literal truth.  Zoodom asked about my statement "I'm saddened by people who come to the Bible looking for verses to support their preconceived ideas for or against God, Christianity, Judaism, or religion in general."  She wanted to know how is that different from what I did in my Submission post because I quoted a lot of scripture to support my statements.


    The difference is between reading to prove an argument verus reading for understanding.  Everyone who reads any text including this Xanga post interprets.  A person with the preset idea that I don't read very many other Xanga sites could read over my comments here and pull out one sentence "I don't read every site on Xanga by a LONG shot."  If he is trying to prove something about my reading habits that one sentence could seem very revealing.  But, in the context of my entire blog, my reading behavior, and the number of comments I leave around Xanga, that sentence might not prove anything.  A person who read this blog and took away that one sentence, didn't gain much understanding. 


    If I have any hope of understanding, I have to interpret with integrity whether I'm reading the Bible, the Mahabharata, the I Ching, or the journals of Malcolm X.  Because in the end of it all, proof is about a little question, "am I right?" with a short answer.  I'm in the game to wrestle with the big questions that have infinite answers.

Comments (17)

  • Exactly! Glad you're back!

  • This is a great blog topic.  I think I do choose to subscribe to only "thinkers", but I also think there is a greater majority of thinkers here on xanga to choose from.  Wouldn't it be great to have a Xanga Meet?  I don't get the kind of chat from my RL friends like I do from my xanga friends.  God Bless us all!

  • I think it's similar to writing a paper.  For example, I make my kiddies write a paper anaysing a person from a book--say, The Crucible, for example.  I tell them they must use quotes because they got their ideas from somewhere.  They can't just say, "Abigail was a lying bitch" without any proof of it, you know?  However, the quotes they use to support their opinions can themselves be interpreted to different things.  But the main reason I make them use quotes?  To get them to realize they didn't come up with these ideas all on their own.  They were influenced by what they read there.  We're all influenced by what we read.  I have no idea what I'm contributing to here, lol.  I believe in supporting ideas with facts--and I believe in supporting ideas with feelings.  Would I accept a kid who said, "Ms. Daffo, I just FEEL Abigail is a liar." Well... lol why do you FEEL that way, dammit! hell, what am I talking about here?  I'm gibbering about all kinds of stuff that might not even relate to your blog. lol Have a good day, and I'm so very glad you're back!  And Air Supply Rules! *whispered loudly*

  • damn.  anaysing?  What the hell does that mean?  I suck.

  • You are so right about everyone having their own views and what they take away from the sites they read.  I'm not sure that I agree with Mr. Sawyers interpretation of SF, but that is his view, and I have mine.  That's what makes the world an interesting, and sometimes scary, place!  Keep it up girl!

  • I have always wondered many of these things too.  Wouldn't it be nice if there was one book (not talking about the bible) that told us everything right and wrong?  Of course, knowing me I would question what makes the person who wrote the book right!

  • The biggest question is who has the Big Answers?
    "Always the beautiful answer who asks the more beautiful question." --e.e.cummings

  • K but well sometimes trying to prove an argument is infact trying to understand and turning to the only source you either understand or feel is worth turning to. Ja know?

    this goes back to what I said in the first place, I have read the bible too, MY understanding of submission in there is wayyyyyy different then yours! But it's cool as the bible is vague enough for eveyone to get what they want from it.

    Dang one hour? THATS IT??? That shocked me!! Seeing how it seems all I do is ponder those kinds of questions. Are we freaks?!

  • Anyone can find anything in writing (in the Bible or elsewhere) to support just about anything they want to assert. The proof about reality is evidenced in the real world.

  • The biggest questions I wrestle with is what I am going to cook for dinner on any given day.  I will leave all the 'deep thinking' to those of you who know how to do it safely.

  • ...now we know who the fugitive is, don't we? MuSe

  • "I'm in the game to wrestle with the big questions that have infinite answers."

    How wonderfully put, Terri.  I'm right there with you!

  • Yikes, I forgot your eprops!

    Here ya go!

  • I liked that statement that Morghanna pointed out too......

  • I think Mr. Sawyer has an awfully high opinion of Science Fiction Literature!  Is he by any chance a Science Fiction writer himself?     

  • Good blog. Glad you're back. I missed you. Hey you're living in the country now - don't you find that the people their don't think much beyond their every day lives. We're certainly finding that in our little 600 populated little town. I think Mr Sawyer has a point and not only for the bigger questions.

  • now THIS is a great entry.

    I always start from the premise "I don't know, but I would love to find out."  For me, the process of getting to the next bit of truth as it is revealed is what keeps my life interesting.

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