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A nihilist is someone who thinks that life has no meaning. If he/she is a nihilist, the very idea that a women's college basketball team is significant would be laughable. So: are nihilists correct?
There are at least 3 ways of looking at this question. First, is that all living things are biologically wired to reproduce. Even if we choose not to do so and view sex as only recreational, one could argue that reproduction is a purpose (though not necessarily a meaning). Also, we all die. Few if any of us will record in any detail what we have learned in living, so all of that accumulated material is likely to go with us. So far as we know, our awareness of being ceases with the end of life. Bob Hope, when asked by his wife as he neared death where he wanted to be buried, said, “Surprise me.”
Still many of us (perhaps all) have a list of things we enjoy. Eating is probably one, and the relief of a good bowel movement may be another. Or watching wcbb may be on our list. It's on mine.
I have absolutely no reason to be interested in UConn women's bb. Didn't go to school there, came from a different part of the country, couldn't even watch Husky games in real time until the '90s (sadly some of you still can't watch the games). But my dad (RIP) in South Florida got some telecasts of UConn games and was particularly struck with the play of one Rebecca Lobo and her teammates. He admired the skill of these women; he suggested I try to catch one of their games. And somehow I was hooked. Since then I have never missed a Husky game that I was able to watch.
So, even if life is meaningless on a cosmic level and not having children defeats its central purpose, when fall rolls around each year I am antsy for my team (yes, “my” team) to get started. I look forward to the pleasure of joy and pain I experience from my investment. And I will continue to look forward until I run out of forwards.
Welcome 2021; may it be a return to normalcy, to heath, to happiness.
There are at least 3 ways of looking at this question. First, is that all living things are biologically wired to reproduce. Even if we choose not to do so and view sex as only recreational, one could argue that reproduction is a purpose (though not necessarily a meaning). Also, we all die. Few if any of us will record in any detail what we have learned in living, so all of that accumulated material is likely to go with us. So far as we know, our awareness of being ceases with the end of life. Bob Hope, when asked by his wife as he neared death where he wanted to be buried, said, “Surprise me.”
Still many of us (perhaps all) have a list of things we enjoy. Eating is probably one, and the relief of a good bowel movement may be another. Or watching wcbb may be on our list. It's on mine.
I have absolutely no reason to be interested in UConn women's bb. Didn't go to school there, came from a different part of the country, couldn't even watch Husky games in real time until the '90s (sadly some of you still can't watch the games). But my dad (RIP) in South Florida got some telecasts of UConn games and was particularly struck with the play of one Rebecca Lobo and her teammates. He admired the skill of these women; he suggested I try to catch one of their games. And somehow I was hooked. Since then I have never missed a Husky game that I was able to watch.
So, even if life is meaningless on a cosmic level and not having children defeats its central purpose, when fall rolls around each year I am antsy for my team (yes, “my” team) to get started. I look forward to the pleasure of joy and pain I experience from my investment. And I will continue to look forward until I run out of forwards.
Welcome 2021; may it be a return to normalcy, to heath, to happiness.
