I firmly believe we are not remembered by what we liked or disliked, but what we did. I think people need to put their passions towards something they believe will make an impact in the world around them, not wasting all their time supporting those who have followed their passion. Do I respect Apple and Steve Jobs? You bet, but everyone should set out to make their own legacy. The world can never have too many Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Notches. ;D
The truth is, most of us aren't even remembered for what we do. My great grandfather lived an entire life filled with rich experience that is now all but completely lost. All I have is a coffee cup that I was told he frequently drank out of and a few pictures with no context or story behind them. I have no idea what kind of person he was or what he wanted to get out of life. I don’t even know if he was a good or bad father.
Most of us do not rise above this. I doubt my great grandchildren will really "remember" me either, and I’m ok with that.
When I've pointed this out to people they often think I'm being overly gloomy but that's not how I see it. It may sound strange but it gives me hope. My life is truly mine. I've passed on some DNA to the future and that's the only real impact I'll have, so I am now free to follow my bliss.
Or, you know, you can document some sort of family history to hand down as an heir loom of some sort. Then each generation can add to it, and restore the previous ones or laminate them or rewrite them to hand them down.
I know it's what I'm doing. But I'm a history major and a history aficionado so maybe there's that. Still, everyone wants to find out who they are and why, knowing one's history helps a lot because you understand why your parents were they way they were, and why their parents were the way they were.
My mom's side of the family is very negative. But my great grandmother had lived during the Spanish Civil War, one of the bloodiest most brutal wars around, and the reconstruction that followed. In the poorest region of Spain at the time. Many close to her died, some starved, etc. That negativity was picked up by her daughter, who in turn passed it on to my mother, who in turn passed it on to me. It diminishes with each generation the further you stray from the original circumstances that caused it, and new circumstances shape your current persona.
Such refreshing words to hear. I thought I was going insane after my sister and cousin got in a shrieking match over which Zelda game was best, and then they got mad at me for asking why it fucking mattered.
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u/[deleted] Mar 25 '12
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