quote: Original post by sunandshadow
I agree with Wavinator: the physical is just too precarious. I''m the type of person who detests physical exertion (tickle fights excepted) and if I have to be uncomfortable to accomplish something that ruins, NOT enhances, whatever satisfaction I might have got out of accomplishing it.
Being uncomfortable provides the contrast to comfort. Life is both. Darkness makes lightness brighter. Coldness makes warmth all the better. Your society is diluting all that is good. In more ways than one. In fact, your society is all about dilution. The very notion of savouring something is lost. Granted, your society still allows some things to be savoured, like the companionship of a friend for the evening, or the design process of a new object. But you have reduced the spectrum of life''s offerings, it seems.
quote: Original post by sunandshadow
As for the great outdoors resulting in powerful memories, I''ll agree to that: I have a great memory of, going out to lake Erie in the middle of winter and being amazed by how desolate and alien the ice-dunes and frozen lake looked. But the reason I enjoyed this experience was because I was bundled from head to foot in a snowsuit, moon boots, thermal gloves, earmuffs, and a hat. No discomfort from cold meant I could concentrate on enjoying my bizarre surroundings.
Your description of desolation and alien like surroundings pleases me, and is in part what I was alluding to before in my journeys. I discuss this in my somewhat pathetic attempt at writing true mini-essays in this GameDev topic which I posted about seven months ago. But all that aside, your reference to your clothing indicates you think I go out wearing nothing but a loincloth and furs I have trapped myself. Actually, during my snow excursions, my ensemble usually includes synthetic thermal underwear, shirt and pants, fleece jacket, Gore-tex jacket and Gore-tex shell pants, liner socks, wool socks, leather boots with gusseted tongues, crampons, fleece cap, sunglasses, sunblock, and often a hat. All in all, a rather toasty getup protecting me from cold, wind chill, rain, etc.
quote: Original post by sunandshadow
But that''s not really one of my best memories; my absolute most fantastic memory is of a dream where I could fly, and my other best memories are of writing or reading fiction.
Ahhh! Reading fiction. No doubt these citizen''s will be prolific authors and readers. But what will they be reading and writing about? Having not experienced the grittier aspects of what life can offer, they will more liekly feel comfortable writing about experiences in theme parks and malls. I truly enjoy reading fiction. I absolutely love it. Ever read a book so good that most of your day is spent just looking forward to coming home and sitting down with that book? Truly one of the great pleasures in life. But, not the only one!
quote: Original post by sunandshadow
Face it Bishop_Pass, there are those of us who do not benefit from ''roughing it''. That''s just how my brain works - I cannot gain anything from an experience if I''m busy suffering.
Funny thing is, I hate ''roughing it'' too. On all my road trips I insist on spending my nights in name brand lodging; places like Comfort Suites, Super Eights, and Hampton Inns. Car camping is out of the question. So why my vociferous defense of hardship? Becasue, like I said, it provides the needed contrast. And it is necessary to achieve certain vistas in life, not just physical, but spiritual.
quote: Original post by sunandshadow
For those who do like challenge and thrills, I had this thought: this fictional world probably has great theme parks, especially incorporating virtual reality technologies. Maybe there''s a huge horror/adventure theme park that is completely redesigned by volunteers every week, the challenge is to make it the whole way through without going crazy or bailing out - and certainly physical challenges could be included. Of course, with the bodysculpting that''s available, going into the park with a buff body could be considered unsporting - oh, there''s all kinds of room for hair-raising adventure in this future
Shades of Survivor? A horrific contrivance if ever there was one. This is all artifice. Why?
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