This is probably the most interesting lounge topic I've come across. Human qualities are fascinating to me - both the ups and downs. I think they should be fascinating to everyone, seeing as we're all on our own individual journey to discover some sort of meaning (whether we realize it or not).
L B wrote: |
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I feel guilty because I can feel guilt |
I haven't thought of it like that before, that's really interesting. I suppose guilt can be a selfish emotion, depending on what you feel guilty about. If you're certain you feel guilt only because you're losing some social status, then sure, it is a self-centered emotion. But then, at the same time, you feel bad about being self-centered. Self-centered acts, such as smashing a window and not taking responsibility for it as Disch mentioned, are usually the same acts that bring about the feeling of guilt in the first place. So I would say your sense of guilt isn't much different from mine, you just have the additional intermediate step of logically analyzing it first, which sounds like it could be a huge blessing in disguise.
L B wrote: |
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I can't feel sympathy |
I have a problem with sympathy as well. I can recognize if a situation sucks for someone else, but i can't make myself actually care about it. I know when I'm supposed to feel sorry for someone, but I don't actually feel sorry for them.
A few weeks ago, i was having a conversation with my Dad, who seemed kind of upset and distraught. He went on to explain how one of his closest friends (and my god father) had just passed away from multiple sclerosis. I knew this person, i met him, and he was a really nice guy. I knew that my Dad must be feeling really down. But I couldn't
feel it myself, and i realize how much of an ass I must have sounded like when all I had to say was "that sucks." It didn't matter how much I tried, i just could not make myself care about the situation.
Sometimes I think that that makes me a "bad" person because it's a bit selfish, but I can't feel negatively about that either. I don't mind being selfish. There's not many things I actually care about, I suppose.
I guess I just have a problem with negative emotions and being attached to things. I tend not to experience them. Things like stress, and being upset just don't click in my mind.
The only time I've ever felt some of these "real" emotions was under the influence of a psychedelic or hallucinogen; and it scares the shit out of me.
On the subject of mental/personality disorders, I have a real problem with labeling them. For example, calling someone ADHD and then medicating them for it, I believe, takes away a significant aspect of their personality. Y'know? Everybody's different. Some people have a hard time keeping a train of thought, but does that make it a 'disorder'?
The only way that you can justly call something a disorder is if it affects a person's ability to live. Say, if someone had such bad ADHD that they were unable to care for themselves or hold a job so that they could provide for themselves, then It's more reasonable to be medicated.
I suppose i'm just against most pharmaceuticals. There are things that shouldn't be tampered with.
People fascinate me, though. I think if there were anything I would major in other than electronics, it would be in some field of psychology; probably social or neural. I've got a growing urge to find meaning in everything; life, feelings, etc. As I said, everyone's on their own quest to understand.