As if Reflected by a Shattered Mirror

[Cognisant]

A man can achieve anything he sets his mind to, this is something I believe with absolute conviction, as long as the goal isn't something unreasonable like a paradox or in direct defiance of physic's laws. Say for example (just for the sake of argument) my goal is to become president of the United States, I think where there's a will there's a way, if I wholeheartedly dedicated all my time effort and cleverness to that goal and absolutely nothing else it will happen.

But that's not possible, I could never be so focused, my nature as a human being divides my attention across many goals and so see myself like a reflection in a shattered mirror, every shard reflecting the same image albeit slightly distorted, each one is me with different priorities.

This is normal, this is sane, I am a relatively happy and well adjusted human being.

But I really want to hurl myself of this precipice, throw my lot into the chasm of madness just to see what will comes of it. This is not a sane desire, I would almost certianly be doing myself a great disservice but would I regret the consequences as much as wondering what could have been? Probably.

*continues staring into the chasm of madness longingly*

 

[Rixus]

So you're saying that the successful one who dedicated every fibre of their being into a single pursuit is the insane one? To an extent, yes. I mean the one who did become president is clearly insane. Plus insanity is defined as severely abnormal behaviour or brain functions, and even if highly desirable, it is still highly abnormal to be as single minded as you describe.

I do agree we are capable of incredible feats. Feats we didn't think were possible - but I do also believe that not everything is possible for everyone. I could dedicate all the time I want to it - I'm never going to be a rockstar because I cannot produce anything remotely resembling music with either my voice or any instrument I have tried. Do I believe that is OK? Yes, I do. It's OK that we can't do everything. I'm surprised an INTP would see the world so simply - that anyone can do anything. The world is far more complicated. Some people have a head start, for some people have such a huge disadvantage that it is impossible. That is, however, not to say that it is an excuse we can all use for everything.

Why have I not achieved my dream? Firstly, I did not put my all into it. I pursued it but had a back up plan and the back up plan eventually became the main plan. Basically, I chose the safer path. As do most people. And most people just didn't figure out how to do it. Or at least, not before it's too late to do it. Most of us inevitably accept that mediocrity, to an extent, is safer and guarantees self preservation. We would rather be guarenteed of moderate success than take a small chance at massive success.

 

[Puffy]

What would be the incentive for diving into madness if you believe it would be a disservice to yourself? Are you saying sanity is like being a shattered mirror, and intense focus is a kind of madness?

I'm unsure I believe people can achieve anything they set their mind to, as I don't believe that people are without limits. You've mentioned physical limits, but there are other limits like character and opportunity. Character is not completely fluid and malleable - you have to work with what you have, and accept you have strengths and weaknesses. You can push the boundaries of character, and I believe sincerely in the value of consistent learning, struggle and challenge as an incentive towards growth, but the process of real development, in my own experience, is slow and cannot be rushed without psychological hazard. The limit of time.

Spoiler

I'm finding personally that the harder work is in accepting and loving yourself as you are, and that fantasies of becoming something else can be a means of escaping yourself. If I said, 'I cannot be satisfied unless I am president', there is a certain extent to which I'd be dishonouring myself in saying what I am cannot be satisfactory unless it's contorted to reach such a lofty goal. I think the more you know yourself, the more likelihood you'll find a path that's truly satisfying to you.

 

[Crystabelle]

A man can achieve anything he sets his mind to, this is something I believe with absolute conviction, as long as the goal isn't something unreasonable like a paradox or in direct defiance of physic's laws. Say for example (just for the sake of argument) my goal is to become president of the United States, I think where there's a will there's a way, if I wholeheartedly dedicated all my time effort and cleverness to that goal and absolutely nothing else it will happen.

Sounds like me (ESFJ)

I do agree we are capable of incredible feats. Feats we didn't think were possible - but I do also believe that not everything is possible for everyone. I could dedicate all the time I want to it - I'm never going to be a rockstar because I cannot produce anything remotely resembling music with either my voice or any instrument I have tried. Do I believe that is OK? Yes, I do. It's OK that we can't do everything. I'm surprised an INTP would see the world so simply - that anyone can do anything. The world is far more complicated. Some people have a head start, for some people have such a huge disadvantage that it is impossible. That is, however, not to say that it is an excuse we can all use for everything.

Sounds like my husband (INTP)

 

[Hadoblado]

You don't know your own limits so you assume that you're at the upper reach in every respect? Sounds naive.

Break a world record at the Olympics in swimming. Do you really think you could? I don't. Not at your age. For every one Olympic gold medalist there are multiple people that gave it their everything and failed.

If your response is that that would be in defiance of physical laws (you aren't the right bodytype, haven't started early enough), then I say you're stating a tautology by which you can achieve any achievable thing but not the unachievable things.

There is an enormous spectrum of things that you could achieve that you never will. Some of them are impressive even within the broader context of what is possible assuming 'max stats', and I encourage you to let your motivations be led by your upper limit. I don't see the need to define this broad spectrum in terms of what is possible for all of humanity though. Your potential as an individual is awesome, but let's not overstate it. Most presidents are career politicians who devote their everything to that one singular goal. You can do that too, but at a considerable disadvantage.

 

[Cognisant]

You don't know your own limits so you assume that you're at the upper reach in every respect? Sounds naive.

No it's a "where there's a will there's a way" sort of thing, I know how very incapable I am of a great many things however I see these limitations as a matter of limited time a motivation rather than anything inherent. For example I cannot play the violin, there's nothing about me that precludes me from learning to play the violin however without a strong desire to achieve that goal it's unlikely that I'll ever be great at it. Whereas if I had absolute focus on that goal I could (hypothetically) become a great violin player, there's nothing stopping me but myself which is a very real barrier.

Break a world record at the Olympics in swimming. Do you really think you could? I don't. Not at your age. For every one Olympic gold medalist there are multiple people that gave it their everything and failed.

I didn't stipulate any notions of morality or fair play, maybe I take steroids, maybe I resort to experimental gene therapy or bionics, maybe I sabotage my competitors or obtain some manner of leverage on the Olympic committee.

If your response is that that would be in defiance of physical laws (you aren't the right bodytype, haven't started early enough), then I say you're stating a tautology by which you can achieve any achievable thing but not the unachievable things.

Well yeah otherwise I'd be saying I can achieve something unachievable which I wouldn't say because I know I'd be wrong, you're framing my point as a tautology to strawman me.

I'm not just saying achievable things are achievable I'm saying there's many things which are technically achievable but practically impossible insofar as I am fettered by my sanity which I'm unhappy about because I've only got one life and I'm spending it living a mundane life.

I'm finding personally that the harder work is in accepting and loving yourself as you are, and that fantasies of becoming something else can be a means of escaping yourself. If I said, 'I cannot be satisfied unless I am president', there is a certain extent to which I'd be dishonouring myself in saying what I am cannot be satisfactory unless it's contorted to reach such a lofty goal. I think the more you know yourself, the more likelihood you'll find a path that's truly satisfying to you.

That's just it, I'm happy, no matter how I look at it I've got every reason to be and yet I don't want to be just happy, I have an ego and it looks upon my finite mundane existence in a practically infinite/eternal universe and is greatly offended.

I'm not content, how could I be while I'm cognizant of how utterly insignificant and fleeting I am.

 

[Crystabelle]

... many goals and so see myself like a reflection in a shattered mirror, every shard reflecting the same image albeit slightly distorted, each one is me with different priorities.

Interestingly, I can relate to your paradox (albeit maybe not quite as extremely).

What specifically are these different priorities you mention?

 

[Cognisant]

Make money, save money, enjoy my youth, spend time with friends/family, seek love, get laid, eat good food, drink good beer, work on a neglected robot.