Our intern this summer asked me, pretty much out of the blue, whether I believed in existentialism.
I know the textbook definition is: “a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.” But I wanted to know what HE meant.
“How can you have worked in the same job for over 23 years?”
“Because it always changes. The technology changes, the data changes, the clients and counselors change, the world changes.”
“So you count on things changing.”
“I don’t COUNT on the world changing, it just DOES. It’s like those occupational tests I used to take. They always asked what I imagined I’d be doing five years hence. What I imagined never meshed with the reality.”
I’m now going to try to will you all to Ask Roger Anything. That’s because YOU are my change agent. I may/do have some posts already planned. What YOU do is change the trajectory of my mind, thinking about THAT, when THAT might never crossed my mind. I find this to be a good thing, BTW.
As usual, you may ask me ANYTHING – advice or opinions or philosophical musings, even (GULP) politics. I will answer, generally within a month.
I will answer your queries to the best of my ability/memory/flashback/drugged state honestly, though the mind plays tricks on one, doesn’t it? A little obfuscation on my part IS not only allowed, but required.
You can leave your comments below. If you prefer to remain anonymous, that’s fine; you should e-mail me at rogerogreen (AT) gmail (DOT) com, or end me an IM on Facebook (make sure it’s THIS Roger Green, the one with the duck) and note that you want to remain unmentioned; otherwise, I’ll assume you want to be cited.