In class we read Craphound by a dude named Cory Doctorow. Long story short: Jerry, a thrift-shopper or “craphound” runs into some friendship issues with his fellow craphound, an alien. These aliens have come onto Earth and are trading their trinkets -incredibly advanced technology to humans- for our thrift objects, and at the end of the story they leave Earth.
There is the implication at the end of the story that the aliens are like tourists, trading objects of little worth to them for objects of little worth to humans. The catch is that their chotchkies are a big deal to us, and we can’t understands the logic of their trades. The takeaway is that the value of some objects lies in the memories and emotions attached to them rather than the material value of the objects themselves - for example, your beat-up teddy bear from forever ago. So... at the end of the day what’s important is happy memories.
I’m down with happy memories, but with the caveat that they shouldn’t take precedent over the present. I subscribe to the pursuit of happiness, so if you’re obsessing over the past you’re missing out on the present moment - or if your present moment sucks, missing out on the chance to improve it. It’s also ironic that you might pay lots of money for a “vintage” object which has some sort of emotional value to you.
I’d say that obsessing about the past or the unknown future is one of humankind’s fatal flaws. I know that when I’m in a stressed out mood I like to think about my childhood and idealize it as a carefree, playful time removed from my current responsibilities. Well, that’s not really true - I had a great childhood, but I was more sensitive and prone to negative feelings than I am now, having matured emotionally. Also, when I’m feeling unfulfilled, I idealize the future, imagining how much more free and adventurous and relaxed I believe I will be in college (hopefully this will come true). Idealizing the future or the past comes from present negative emotions, and often creates more negative emotions about the present.
Yeah, I definitely think overly idealizing or obsessing over the past or the future is a common human symptom of being dissatisfied with your present. I think there is a healthy way to be happy about your past, it just can't become more important than your present.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Jerry does get stuck in the past. Most of the connections he makes are based upon nostalgia and his imagined stories of people. On the other hand, he does make real, lasting friendships. (I think craphounds are a different breed than me, and, it sounds like, a different breed than you.)
ReplyDeleteYour post also makes me think of that line where Jerry says his childhood wasn't particularly happy and his adulthood isn't particularly said, but "there are some memories like a cool drink of water." Yes. That.
Really interesting point about childhood. I definitely remember aspects of my childhood being very innocent and fun, but when I really remember it- it wasn't at all that way. Nostalgia and memory are funny things, distance makes the heart grow fonder as they say.
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