Why do screwups stick around?

[ThreeWords]

As somebody who has blundered from less-than-stellar situation to less-than-stellar situation purely of his own accord over the past few years, it occurred to me today that the whole thing seems rather futile. As much as it goes against what I'd like to believe, life seems to be stratified into layers of achievers, and the lower ones rarely move upwards. You'll generally find them in bedsits at 35 with half a degree and a collection of tracksuit trousers.

Anyway, what keeps people like that going? I personally think it's a mixture of family [pre-emptive guilt] and a biological imperative. But it still strikes me as odd that one could chronically achieve crappy grades in all avenues of life and still keep soldiering on. Opinions?

They don't... [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.316636-Steve-Jobs-Has-Died]

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

A lot of people don't realize that some people choose to be in situation they are in and are comfortable with. Some realize that they won't be a hit in the market or amount to a whole lot in their life and they are okay with that.

I like to sing karaokie, but I know that I will never be a singing sensation and I'm cool with that.

These individuals just know who they are and what they are limited to. Instead struggling to be something that they might never be, they just enjoy where they are at and make the best of it. While they might not be a success in the work force, they might have many friends, or be a good musician, or have some great advice or powerful insights, etc.

More than anything, people have hope; hope that the next day will come, and that in of itself is a true miracle. Just being able to see the sun raise again, is enough hope for people to just go on about their day, enjoy the time that they have, and make every day memorable.

 

[Sean Renaud]

Sad reality is that nobody makes it on their own. Those low acheivers didn't have anybody opening doors for them and thus they stayed where everybody without help remains. At the bottom. We can pretend that's not how reality functions but it is.

 

[M920CAIN]

Sad reality is that nobody makes it on their own. Those low acheivers didn't have anybody opening doors for them and thus they stayed where everybody without help remains. At the bottom. We can pretend that's not how reality functions but it is.

This is as true as it gets. i nominate this for best answer.

 

[omega 616]

As somebody who has blundered from less-than-stellar situation to less-than-stellar situation purely of his own accord over the past few years, it occurred to me today that the whole thing seems rather futile. As much as it goes against what I'd like to believe, life seems to be stratified into layers of achievers, and the lower ones rarely move upwards. You'll generally find them in bedsits at 35 with half a degree and a collection of tracksuit trousers.

Anyway, what keeps people like that going? I personally think it's a mixture of family [pre-emptive guilt] and a biological imperative. But it still strikes me as odd that one could chronically achieve crappy grades in all avenues of life and still keep soldiering on. Opinions?

Ignorance is bliss, they just keep finding little victories and take every day one at a time.

It's not like they get to 35 and have some self reflective epiphany and decide to off themselves 'cos they realize how crap there lives are.

Like other people have said alcohol, lots of alcohol!

 

[SidingWithTheEnemy]

Why do you think they are screwups in the first place?
But what kind of strange measurement do you filter your perception?
Maybe they are happy, maybe not. What does make a screwup a screwup?
Being addicted to alcohol is pretty screwed up, alright.
What about being addicted to computer games?
What about being addicted in general?

Being Old is screwed up as well, how to prevent that?

If some of you think being the best of the best of the best is the most important thing in life (watch MIB again and you know what I want to say) you are probably the one who is screwed up in the first place.

Being mediocre is just fine, you're doing far less harm and have probably much higher chances to be happy than being the best.

I know, that in the few departements of life where I'm better than most (even the best maybe) I am the one screwed up. To get there it was a hell of an effort, staying there will be impossible without being a complete a**hole. But that is just my opinion out from the Top of Mount Olympus.

 

[CrawlingPastaHellion]

Ok, this discussion had turned into a metaphysical debate... quickly. I say: don't give up, no matter what. Just find out what works for you.

 

[Housebroken Lunatic]

Each strand of genetic coding exists for a specific reason, and with a purpose designed by natural selection to continue successful and bountiful procreation.

Wrong.

Each strand of genetic coding exists as a consequence of a random evolutionary process. It's just that the other strands somehow died out because of that evolutionary process.

THere's no "reason" or "goal" with any of it, it just happens to look that way right now.

Also, you'd be surprised to know just how many redundant parts are in our genetic coding. Individual segments of DNA that manifest itself in exactly no way at all, but it just "tagged along" with the other segments who somehow contributed to our survival.

If you want to be scientific about evolution, then stop thinking in terms of "design", "reason", and "goal". These constructs are our inventions, not concepts that nature invented or even uses.

 

[Ordinaryundone]

Every man is wealthy, for we all have a life we can give for the Emperor!

Ahem, that said, life and success is what you make it. At the end of the day, you can't take your money or achievements with you. Live your life in a way that makes you happy, and gives you no regrets, because that is whats really important.

 

[Housebroken Lunatic]

Every man is wealthy, for we all have a life we can give for the Emperor!

Amen, Adept!

Indeed 'tis better to die for the Emperor than live for yourself! Preferably while taking some xenos scum and/or vile heretics with you!

Guide your way in the darkness with the pyres of burning heretics!

 

[CrawlingPastaHellion]

Each strand of genetic coding exists for a specific reason, and with a purpose designed by natural selection to continue successful and bountiful procreation.

Wrong.

Each strand of genetic coding exists as a consequence of a random evolutionary process. It's just that the other strands somehow died out because of that evolutionary process.

THere's no "reason" or "goal" with any of it, it just happens to look that way right now.

Also, you'd be surprised to know just how many redundant parts are in our genetic coding. Individual segments of DNA that manifest itself in exactly no way at all, but it just "tagged along" with the other segments who somehow contributed to our survival.

If you want to be scientific about evolution, then stop thinking in terms of "design", "reason", and "goal". These constructs are our inventions, not concepts that nature invented or even uses.

Couldn't say it better myself, don't know why I didn't think of it at the time. Evolution is a random process after all. My explanation why design doesn't fit with the development of humans as a species was more philosophical than biological.