Discussion The most fundamental program we have been brainwashed with (and the hardest to overcome)

[Daxter_87]

We all have been brainwashed with a very fundamental program, which is deep inside of our minds and on top of which all other programs are based. And the program is: "Existence is good, non-existence is bad."

Now, it could be argued that some people have managed to overcome it, or that they weren't even brainwashed with it in the first place, because they were wise enough not to fall for it. However, for most people it's there, it's deeply ingrained in our brains.

And this is probably the hardest program to eliminate, because it has been drummed into our heads at such a deep and fundamental level that most people don't even know it's there. They just assume that "Existence is good, non-existence is bad" is a fact.

The first step to dissolve this program is to acknowledge that it is in us, because if we don't know that it's in us, we can't eliminate it. If an alcoholic doesn't recognize that they are an alcoholic, they will never overcome their addiction.

 

[Homo erectus]

"Life is good" is not really problematic. But "live despite all sufferings" is quite irrational. A lot of resources has been used on keeping people alive with low quality of life. Many jobs are doing similarly meaningless things. Some people do benefit from such malady, making everyone very busy.

 

[FuneralCry]

I don't think I've ever personally felt in such a way, I've always been aware of how truly pointless, futile and harmful existence is, I've never seen it as being something desirable, the only relief for me lies in non-existence.

But I think it's true that so many people have those views which is shown by how they view suicide as being worse than suffering and view suicide as being the most terrible tragedy that should be avoided at all costs. Instead I just see existence as being the tragic, terrible thing and death is the only relief from it as after all one cannot be harmed by not existing.