:: Apathy, yes! ::

Sunday, August 25, 2002

Most of the time, I let apathy anesthetize my anxiety. It can be immensely comforting to let warm, soothing, ambivalence wash over and coat your troubles. One of my picture links at the top is to a page about the Roman stoic philosopher Epictetus. He had an interesting take on dealing with confrontation and interacting with other people: much as you would not let someone cut off your hand (or any part of your physical being) and take it with them, you should not let anyone bother you to the point that they take up residence in your head (by occupying your thoughts) and steal that component of your mental being as well. I think the same line of reasoning can be applied to concepts more abstract than people. Much as one can't cede mental ground to another individual, one has to repel other thought-invaders as well (fear of defenestration, fear of social interaction, fear of the ubiquitous insects trying to burrow into my flesh, etc).

Apathy happens to be my heavy artillery of choice. I feel the use of such extreme measures is justified. It's my head, and I'll use whatever means necessary to defend it.

[I know I started out with a medical metaphor and then switched to a military one, but go with it]

Posted by morland @ 02:25 PM

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