An interesting problem

I recently found the website of Derek Sivers. He has some interesting things to say both in writing and on video. Nothing earth shattering but interesting anyway. Watching the videos I noticed that he is one of those perpetually happy and upbeat types of people. On his page describing books he likes he indicates this comes from his personal philosophy being related to the stoics and recommends a book on stoicism. For the first time in my life I am afraid to read a book. Not because it might be bad but because it might show that I have been living my life wrong. It is an interesting problem. If I read the book and decide I have wasted my life so far I can attempt to make my life better, but what if I can't? Then my whole life will be a waste. If I don't read the book I will just be hiding my head in the sand, hoping to ignore reality and not improve myself.

I have to decide one way or the other, not deciding is of course by default deciding not to read the book. Should I continue in ignorance or should I learn and maybe be disappointed? I will have to think a bit.

Looks and the beach

Several times I have been in discussions about nude beaches and sooner or later somebody will make a comment that the sort of people who go to nude beaches shouldn't because they aren't good looking. I have always found this an odd comment because from what I hear people who regularly go to nude beaches go to enjoy the beach NOT to be looked at. If you want to see good looking nude people they have bars and such for that. The point of nude beaches is the beach.

The same goes of course for regular beaches. People comment that this person shouldn't be wearing a bikini because they don't look good in it. Well, maybe there intent was to get a tan, not look good.

If your intent in going to the beach is to look as good as possible then maybe you want to cover up some, the average person has physical flaws and covering them makes you look better. However, if your intent is to get a tan then maybe you need to uncover some. If your intent is somewhere in between then you will have to dress or undress appropriately.

If your intent in going to the beach is to see good looking people without clothing then you have failed from the start. Most people aren't good looking. If fact, most people don't go to the beach so you can look at them. They go for the sun, sand, and water.

Having been in several of these discussions I always find it odd how so many people seem to think others should act a certain way simply because it is what they (not the other people) want. I have met many who say only good looking people (and themselves) should go to the beach, because they want to only see good looking people and seem to feel the rest of humanity is here for their entertainment. I have met a couple of people that say only fit people should go to the gym, everybody who isn't fit should exercise at home until they become fit enough to look good and show off their bodies at the gym.

People are crazy. I go to the beach for the beach, not to provide entertainment for others. If you don't like the way I look tough, I am not there for you I am there for me.