browndoughnut

Today I am moved to start this entry with a new found self confidence and a rediscovery of a very simple line in a novel I just started. "If I'm not a thinker, what am I?"
Although I promised that this would be a forum an otherwise straightforward discourse on topics surrounding the wonderful world of metaphysics. But today after having read this short line, I realized that this question in itself presented the dilemma that has been facing me ever since my departure from college. Of course the regular questions of what it means to be one self, and what does one self do with the rest of his/her life come to mind, but otherwise there seemed to be a question on my mind. A question which I know in that way when you're trying to recall what you ate for lunch a few weeks ago or the name of an actor who appeared in a movie. Reading that line affirmed in my mind the question that I had been trying to grasp at.  What does it mean to be an intellectual? What kind of life should one lead when he or she puts on this crown of knowledge? in a world of specialization where people are taught to focus on one thing to analyze it down to its core and achieve a perfection in their understanding of one object, act, or concept. Is there any room for someone who seeks to acquire knowledge on all things. The current state of affairs more than ever sheds such a negative light on the word dilettante. In the long run there needs to be a check every month, enough money to pay the bills and to provide one with a comfort in life that only a full wallet can provide. I'm not above materialism, but I am not below whoring my soul out for a dollar. So what path is there to follow that leads to the tree of knowledge where forbidden fruit glistens? Even though this may seem overly melodramatic the image of it seems so appropriate, As the old line goes now if only someone would pay me to sit around all day and indulge myself in literature, cinema, and music.

So it recently dawned on me that writing might have some positive effects on my life. As it is hard to come by a forum much less an audience; this seems the appropriate locale to express my views and perhaps even offer insight. My writing skills are less than perfect by a long shot. When it comes to grammar, sentence construction, and hell even spelling. But I hope even with all my faults at writing someone somewhere will glean even the smallest bit of information from my rantings and ravings. Even if this does not occur and all I gain is mockery, the act of expression will bring some small peace to my mind.

One of my goals is to offer questions here which are prefaced by the a small amount of information, and then to conduct discussions via user posts. Please feel free to correct inconsistencies, point out errors, and as usual tell me how stupid I am.

Expect the first later today or early tomorrow!!