From e0b1c2737397839ff5ba8c129d31baf6f97805fe Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Case Duckworth Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2015 13:10:17 -0700 Subject: Finish linking Elegy, Hezekiah; Rename files --- problems.txt | 72 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 72 insertions(+) create mode 100644 problems.txt (limited to 'problems.txt') diff --git a/problems.txt b/problems.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c5de325 --- /dev/null +++ b/problems.txt @@ -0,0 +1,72 @@ +--- +title: Problems +genre: prose + +project: + title: Book of Hezekiah + css: hezekiah + order: 6 + next: + title: Liking things + link: likingthings + prev: + title: Moving sideways + link: movingsideways +... + +The problem with people is this: we cannot be happy. No matter how hard +or easy we try, it is not to be. It seems sometimes that, just as the +dog was made for jumping in mud and sniffing out foxholes and having a +good time all around, man was made for sadness, loneliness and +heartache. + +Being the observant and judgmental people they are, people have for a +long time tried to figure out why they aren't happy. Some say it's +because we're obviously doing something wrong. Some say it's because we +think too much. Some insist that it's because other people have more +stuff than we do. These people don't have a clue any more than any of +the rest of us. At least I don't think they do, and that's good enough +for me.[^1] I think that the reason why people are unhappy (and this is +a personal opinion) is that they realize on some level (for some it's a +pretty shallow level, others it's way down there next to their love for +women's stockings[^2]) that there is no background to put themselves +against, no "[big picture][]" to get painted into. This makes sense, because +on one level, the level of everyday life, the level of *observation*, +there is always a background---look in a pair of binoculars sometime. But +on another level, that of ... shit, wait. There are no other levels.[^3] + +What's more, people try to explain how to get happy again (although it's +doubtful they were ever happy in the first place---people are very good at +fooling). Some say standing or [sitting in a building][] with a lot of other +unhappy people helps. Some say that you can't stop there; you also need +to sing with those other unhappy people about how unhappy you are, and +how you wish someone would come along and help you out, I guess by +giving you money or something. I say all you really need to be happy is +a good stiff drink.[^4] + +In any case, people have for some reason or another, and to some end or +another, always been unhappy. And people have always tried to figure out +ways to be less unhappy---one of the most important things to people +everywhere is called "the pursuit of happiness." I think that calling it +a pursuit makes people feel more like dogs, who are the most happy +beings most people can think of. By pursuing happiness, they're like a +dog pursuing a possum or a bone on a fishing rod: two activities that +sound like a lot of fun to most people. I think most people wish they +were dogs. + +[big picture]: ronaldmcdonald.html +[sitting in a buiding]: feedingtheraven.html + + +[^1]: This seems to be an attempt on Hezzy's part to set an example for + mankind. It should be noted that he is an alcoholic, and not in any + shape to be an example to anyone. + +[^2]: It is thought that only the leg coverings of the female sex are + here referenced + +[^3]: You have hereby found the super special secret cheat code room. + Yes, this is just like Super Mario Brothers---you can skip right to + the end. Go and face the final boss already! + +[^4]: See footnote, above -- cgit 1.4.1-21-gabe81