I don't know

[Mudhammam]

To be so uncertain of everything can indeed be frustrating and depressing... but it also ensures that life is always interesting and full of the joys that accompany learning.

[Iroscato]

This video addresses that kind of feeling better than I ever could.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uiv6tKtoKg[/youtube]

[Pyrrho]

I see I wonder if this would help: how boring would it be if we knew everything?

Why would it be boring to know everything?  When I go hiking someplace I have been before, and see the beauties of nature, I am not bored by it, even though I typically do not really see anything very different from what I have seen before.

There would be no mystery left!

How would there being no mystery be a problem?  I am not upset when I know the answer to a mathematical problem, or how to open a bottle of wine, or any of the other things that matter in my life.

The journey is more important than the destination. A glib platitude, but I think it is generally true.

I disagree.  Becoming an atheist was unpleasant in the extreme.  Being an atheist is comfortable.  

Flying to Europe from the U.S. was unpleasant.  Being in Europe was fun.

Going to the store to buy wine is a bother.  Drinking the wine at home is good.  (In this case, going to the store to buy wine is not generally unpleasant, but it does not compare favorably to drinking the wine.  Relatively speaking, it is terrible going to the store, compared with drinking the wine.)

It sounds to me that maybe this is about self reflection more than it is about the actual questions, and examining your own attitudes and strategies.

Yes.  It is a question of attitude.  One can not know things, and be upset about that fact.  Or one can not know things, and not be upset about that fact.  What one cannot have is complete knowledge.

Of the possible options, it is best to not know things, and not be upset by that fact.  The stoic philosophers can help with this, if one has trouble with the concept.  I recommend reading Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca for help on this sort of thing.

[robvalue]

You caught me being flowery again It's not normal for me, so maybe I should use a different colour

I was trying to be all one hand clapping, and try to cheer my friend up Chainsaw back online, flowery shite will be sliced to pieces.

[Exian]

Haha Thanks, Rob. That does actually help. I'm normally in that frame of mind of trying to enjoy the journey. Just sort of needed the remonder. Although, I do get satisfaction from the destination, as well.

[Iroscato]

*Cough* Damn phone. Here's the vid, one of my favourites from Vsauce.

[emjay]

I'm pretty comfortable with 'I don't know'.  But I think it very important to know what you don't know.  Because if you don't know that which you don't know, then you may actually know, but not know that you know.  Conversely, it's probably very difficult to be in a state where you don't know what you don't know, since if you don't know, I'm not sure how you could know that you don't.

You know?

Boru

You should change your name to Sir Humphrey

[thesummerqueen]

I see I wonder if this would help: how boring would it be if we knew everything?

Why would it be boring to know everything?  When I go hiking someplace I have been before, and see the beauties of nature, I am not bored by it, even though I typically do not really see anything very different from what I have seen before.

You're not looking closely enough. I go back to the same place every season if I can help it to try and document. Every year, the season holds something different or new. It might not be something "unknown" but it's definitely different, and holds its own mystery by sheer virtue of that fact.

---

The journey is more important than the destination. A glib platitude, but I think it is generally true.

I disagree.  Becoming an atheist was unpleasant in the extreme.  Being an atheist is comfortable.  

Flying to Europe from the U.S. was unpleasant.  Being in Europe was fun.

Going to the store to buy wine is a bother.  Drinking the wine at home is good.  (In this case, going to the store to buy wine is not generally unpleasant, but it does not compare favorably to drinking the wine.  Relatively speaking, it is terrible going to the store, compared with drinking the wine.)

Also, I'd have to argue this point: he said the journey was important - not necessarily enjoyable. Being fit is enjoyable, but it's the journey of changing my habits and developing exercises that's more important than the end goal. You may not like the journey there, but it's definitely at least as important as the destination.

[robvalue]

Oh yeah, I'm not dissing the destination. That can certainly be good too

I hope you're feeling a bit better Exian?

[Exian]

Oh yeah, I'm better. Actually I don't know if I would put it in terms of better or worse, but usually my negative feelings are fleeting. They're also welcome. I sort of wish I could manufacture the frame of mind I was in, because I don't feel I was done exploring it. I'll have to wait for that orbit of inspiration to swing by again. I'm sure you'll hear about it. Lol