otcartsid Posted January 12, 2006 Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 How true do you think it is that "we live our lives making assumptions"? Do you think assumptions, expectations are more beneficial or harmful? Does it depend on the person? the situation? both? neither? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InfiniteNow Posted January 12, 2006 Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 Most definitely things depend on the observer, as well as the context in which the observer finds themselves, but I've frequently thought that the only instance where individuals are EVER let down is when they have expectations. No expectations = never let down. However, it is an interesting question because one of the things that has helped us become such a dominant life-form on the planet is our ability to anticipate outcomes. Cheers. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otcartsid Posted January 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 I agree with you, InfiniteNow. It's true that disappointment stems from higher expectations. I suppose in general that the success we as a species have obtained, because of our ability to anticipate outcomes, makes up for any depression we experience because of anticipation that is never fulfilled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InfiniteNow Posted January 12, 2006 Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 I agree with you, InfiniteNow. It's true that disappointment stems from higher expectations. I suppose in general that the success we as a species have obtained, because of our ability to anticipate outcomes, makes up for any depression we experience because of anticipation that is never fulfilledThat, and also the energy we generally expended surviving during our evolutionary past (hunting, foraging, protecting family, finding shelter, etc...) is not as necessary now with all of our societal/medical/technological advances (like supermarkets and modern farming), but we still have the same predispositions and energy. Instead of expending that energy surviving, we tend to turn it inward and we ruminate and get stuck in psychological ruts like depression (but the point you made about not fulfilling expectations is incredibly valid too). This is part of the reason we feel so good after exercise (without getting into a long exposition of neurotransmitters and blood flow)... we are spending much of our energy in the manner it was intended, as well getting the sense of accomplishment from our efforts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otcartsid Posted January 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2006 ah that's a good point about exercise! I need to get more of it :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InfiniteNow Posted January 13, 2006 Report Share Posted January 13, 2006 I suppose in general that the success we as a species have obtained, because of our ability to anticipate outcomes...Oh yeah, that, and opposable thumbs. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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