Hey there! I just changed my blogskin :) It's a little user-unfriendly because you can't navigate my past posts by headings or hashtags. So i'm gonna update the codings, stay tuned! (The font's kinda hard to read too..other than these 3 peeves, i'm quite satisfied) Follow me on the links below! :) 29/4/2015.
Started this blog during the last few weeks of SEM1(AY2014/15) cos' i regained interest in blogging. I blog about anything - news, social issues, music - but mostly about my university life :) Hope my posts will help you to make better life (and module) choices! Currently a Sociology Major. Still fresh. xD
I never thought that the topic of ‘death’ could be more interesting than
the meaning of life. This FMA session was one of the most thought-provoking one.
I always thought of ‘death’ as an end, though I do understand that various
religions see it as a continumm or the official start to new life. Christians
see death as continuation of life with Jesus in heaven, Hindus believe in the
reincarnation of souls and rebirth, and so do the Buddhists.
People come
and go, what lives on is our legacy and people’s memories of us. One day we
will all be forgotten and end up in ashes, but many of us still strive to make
the best out of our lives. Life is something worth celebrating and cherishing,
whereas death is often looked upon as sad and solemn, for we will never get to hear
their voice again, or speak to them. As humans are intrinsically social beings
that form relationships with others, this sudden loss brings about pain; the
stronger the bond, the greater the pain. For this reason, death is a demise
many want to avoid.
Depending
on the type of death, there can be varying reactions to it. Unnatural deaths,
such as suicide, are often embraced in negativity and often termed as
‘playing-god’. In the past, I always felt that people who committed suicide are
so selfish—how can they not think of their loved ones before passing? Then
again, perhaps they did not feel loved, or they truly felt that their presence
was a burden. I can never imagine the pain they went through—What could be so
painful to drive them to commit suicide? On the flipside, it is also selfish
to force someone to stay alive with their level of suffering.
All the
more, we should cherish the people around us and always check on them, and
support them.
Science and technology is really amazing. It is the first time I have
heard of Cryonics, where we can actually preserve our bodies to resurrect them
in the future if the technology allows. Death can be viewed as temporary if
this succeeds, and it is a rather scary thought. There will be many political,
social and economic problems if this happens, and great regulation is required.
Imagine people choosing to live in another era, what would their identity and
age be exactly? How will they integrate back into society? Frankly speaking, I
do not really see the need for this technology (though bringing Lee Kuan Yew
back may be a pretty good idea. I’m joking.), for I think death is a natural
lifecourse everyone goes through.
Another interesting point is about how the state controls our life and
death. Negative connotations are attached to suicide partially because it is
illegal. However, as Miao Yu pointed out, our life should not depend on the
state, so why are the dead handcuffed after they commit suicide?
In my opinion, it is because we feel that life is the greatest blessing
we have, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the happiness and also
failures in life. We cannot have people committing suicide because they are lost
or depressed for that brief moment, that would upset social order. There is
always a chance that they can get over it and lead a more fulfilling life than
before. They can undergo counselling and integrate back into society. Without
these laws, there may be a rise in suicide rates, where people neglect their
social roles and move into dysfunction. Then again, I think the thought that
suicide is illegal would not even cross the minds of people with suicidal
thoughts, so these legislations may not be much of help. Perhaps it serves as a
sign and moral compass that one should not turn to suicide, and can help to
turn back those with mild suicidal thoughts.
Ending off on a
lighter note—why do we celebrate birthdays? It can be said that we are one year
closer to our death, but it’s also a day where people get to show appreciation
to you for what you have done, and I think that is something to be grateful
for. It is also a day to show our thankfulness towards certain people whom we
may be too shy or awkward to thank on a normal day. Every time the Earth
completes an orbit around the sun—940 million kilometres, we turn a year older.
It is interesting how humans measure their age by distance too. The Earth has
travelled around 18,000 million kilometres around the sun ever since I was
born. Life on Earth is indeed a journey, a journey of self-discovery and pursuit.
I never thought that the topic of ‘death’ could be more interesting than
the meaning of life. This FMA session was one of the most thought-provoking one.
I always thought of ‘death’ as an end, though I do understand that various
religions see it as a continumm or the official start to new life. Christians
see death as continuation of life with Jesus in heaven, Hindus believe in the
reincarnation of souls and rebirth, and so do the Buddhists.
People come
and go, what lives on is our legacy and people’s memories of us. One day we
will all be forgotten and end up in ashes, but many of us still strive to make
the best out of our lives. Life is something worth celebrating and cherishing,
whereas death is often looked upon as sad and solemn, for we will never get to hear
their voice again, or speak to them. As humans are intrinsically social beings
that form relationships with others, this sudden loss brings about pain; the
stronger the bond, the greater the pain. For this reason, death is a demise
many want to avoid.
Depending
on the type of death, there can be varying reactions to it. Unnatural deaths,
such as suicide, are often embraced in negativity and often termed as
‘playing-god’. In the past, I always felt that people who committed suicide are
so selfish—how can they not think of their loved ones before passing? Then
again, perhaps they did not feel loved, or they truly felt that their presence
was a burden. I can never imagine the pain they went through—What could be so
painful to drive them to commit suicide? On the flipside, it is also selfish
to force someone to stay alive with their level of suffering.
All the
more, we should cherish the people around us and always check on them, and
support them.
Science and technology is really amazing. It is the first time I have
heard of Cryonics, where we can actually preserve our bodies to resurrect them
in the future if the technology allows. Death can be viewed as temporary if
this succeeds, and it is a rather scary thought. There will be many political,
social and economic problems if this happens, and great regulation is required.
Imagine people choosing to live in another era, what would their identity and
age be exactly? How will they integrate back into society? Frankly speaking, I
do not really see the need for this technology (though bringing Lee Kuan Yew
back may be a pretty good idea. I’m joking.), for I think death is a natural
lifecourse everyone goes through.
Another interesting point is about how the state controls our life and
death. Negative connotations are attached to suicide partially because it is
illegal. However, as Miao Yu pointed out, our life should not depend on the
state, so why are the dead handcuffed after they commit suicide?
In my opinion, it is because we feel that life is the greatest blessing
we have, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the happiness and also
failures in life. We cannot have people committing suicide because they are lost
or depressed for that brief moment, that would upset social order. There is
always a chance that they can get over it and lead a more fulfilling life than
before. They can undergo counselling and integrate back into society. Without
these laws, there may be a rise in suicide rates, where people neglect their
social roles and move into dysfunction. Then again, I think the thought that
suicide is illegal would not even cross the minds of people with suicidal
thoughts, so these legislations may not be much of help. Perhaps it serves as a
sign and moral compass that one should not turn to suicide, and can help to
turn back those with mild suicidal thoughts.
Ending off on a
lighter note—why do we celebrate birthdays? It can be said that we are one year
closer to our death, but it’s also a day where people get to show appreciation
to you for what you have done, and I think that is something to be grateful
for. It is also a day to show our thankfulness towards certain people whom we
may be too shy or awkward to thank on a normal day. Every time the Earth
completes an orbit around the sun—940 million kilometres, we turn a year older.
It is interesting how humans measure their age by distance too. The Earth has
travelled around 18,000 million kilometres around the sun ever since I was
born. Life on Earth is indeed a journey, a journey of self-discovery and pursuit.
“To put away aimlessness and weakness, and to begin to think with purpose, is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment; who make all conditions serve them, and who think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully.”
- James Allen Quotes
Sometimes I wonder how people see me and what they think of me. It scares me a bit, honestly. I am sure though, that what they think of me,
what they think my life is, is a complete misperception. I have always tried to show myself as a carefree person, as someone who wont get bothered
because of public judgements. I am sure my friend and family think there is nothing going wrong in my life, that I do not worry enough, that
I am always happy. And I am sure they probably somewhat hate me for it because, lets admit it, there is nothing worse than seeing someone
who is life seems so perfect while yours is a complete mess. Truth is, I have become an expert at pretending. I think we are all experts
or at least we are getting there.
my projects
links exchanged opened! just tag me but link me first
: Amelia Lim, 20 October.